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What is PCB?
What is PCB?
PCB is an abbreviation for Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyls, and PCB is one of the world's most dangerous environmental pollutants.
PCB is a carcinogenic substance that you cannot smell or taste, which makes it particularly dangerous because you may not be aware of exposure to dangerous PCB.
It is difficult to determine if a building contains materials with PCB unless professionals conduct air sampling to measure the content. At the same time, any joints and surfaces need to be inspected and analyzed as well.
What are PCBs used for?
PCB is a contaminating material that emits harmful particles into the indoor environment and surrounding materials. Therefore, it can become a very extensive task to clean a building for PCB joints.
But PCB in buildings must be treated because it is hazardous to health. The good news, however, is that there are several ways to eliminate dangerous PCB. TWO Teknik can provide multiple solutions, making it much easier and more cost-effective to reduce the off-gassing of PCB in buildings.
With a solution from TWO teknik, PCB-containing surfaces can be sealed so that the off-gassing from the PCB-containing surfaces is stopped. Shortly after, a positive improvement of the indoor climate begins. The sealing is done with a high-tech emission barrier, SPS Primary and SPS Primary Winter.
PCB was used in the construction industry and building renovation between 1950 and 1976 and is most commonly found in sealant, adhesive or paint.
What is PCB - facts:
- The electronics industry began using PCBs in the 1950s. PCBs were mostly used in cooling oils and capacitors.
- PCB was particularly used in the construction industry in the 1960s.
- PCB was banned in Denmark in 1976. However, internationally, the consumption of PCB is regulated by the Stockholm Convention – adopted in 2001.
- It takes a long time to break down PCB. Several decades, and therefore contamination can be traced throughout the globe. The highest concentrations of PCB are found in adipose tissue in, for example, mammals and polar bears.
- PCB is mainly used in paint, sealants, and adhesives. PCB is commonly found in sealants around windows from the 1960s and 1970s.
- PCB-containing sealants are still a massive problem, as PCB contaminates the surrounding material and ends up in dust and indoor air. If concrete is surrounding PCB-containing joints, then the concrete will contain very high concentrations of PCBs. The same applies to floors and other surfaces with painted or plastic coatings.
- PCB is carcinogenic and can disrupt the body’s hormones. PCB also affects the immune system, liver, and central nervous system.
- PCB affects brain development, reproductive abilities, and the immune system. Children are particularly vulnerable as they absorb PCB into their bodies more easily than adults.
Do you need help?
Do you need guidance regarding PCBs and PCB sealing?
Then contact a specialist from TWO Teknik.
We are ready to assist you.
Phone
+45 72 30 20 31
Mail
info@twoteknik.dk
What to do about PCBs in your building
You should make sure to have the indoor air quality in your building measured. If you have values of 3,000 ng/m3 or higher, you need to take action immediately. This is truly harmful to health and you should reduce the values immediately. The National Board of Health in Denmark recommends that you do not exceed 300 ng/m3.
If you measure between 300-3000 ng/m3, you should take action in the long run to bring the value down to below 300 ng/m3 air, which is the recommended limit.
What is PCB in building materials?
PCB in building materials is a very significant health issue, and the use of PCB in Danish construction has been much greater than initially estimated. This is due in part to the significant increase in construction activity during the period from 1950-1976. At the same time that many buildings were constructed with PCB-containing materials during this period, a large renovation effort also began.
That’s good news indeed! There are several methods and measures available that make it cheaper and less cumbersome to reduce PCB emissions in buildings.
SPS Primær and SPS Primær Vinter are high-tech emissions barriers that are commonly used to seal and encapsulate PCB in buildings, which is the most effective and well-documented way to reduce the emission of PCB. As a new and unique feature, the effectiveness of SPS Primær can now be measured using the tracer substance SPS Seal Trace.
What is PCB and how does PCB affect people and the environment?
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) are dangerous chemicals that have been used in a variety of materials and products over the years, including insulation materials, wiring, paint, electronics, and kitchenware. Although it is no longer permitted to manufacture or use PCB in Denmark, it can still be found in many older buildings and products.
Prolonged exposure to PCB can lead to serious health problems, such as cancer, hormonal disruptions, damage to the liver and thyroid gland, weakened immune function, and developmental disorders in children. PCB is also harmful to the environment, as it can contaminate soil, water, and air, and harm plants and animals, especially in aquatic environments.
PCBs were most commonly used in elastic sealant products in the construction sector from 1950 to 1977, but were also used in various other building materials, such as paints and flooring materials, as well as in transformers and capacitors in electrical equipment. However, it is difficult to determine whether a product contains PCB or not, as it cannot be seen on the product.
If you suspect that a product contains PCB, you should contact a professional to identify and remove it. It is important to avoid contact with materials containing PCB and dispose of them safely to protect both your health and the environment.
If you are facing PCB contamination, TWO Teknik can help with effective PCB sealing. We are an experienced and reliable partner who can manage the entire process in a responsible, safe, and environmentally friendly manner. We can help you find the best solution for your specific needs and ensure that you have full documentation and transparency throughout the process.
