Basic knowledge of PCB

Last update date April 3, 2023

What is Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)?

　Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is an artificially produced, mainly oily chemicals.
　PCBs are characterized by chemically stable, such as hard to dissolve in water, high boiling point, hard to decompose by heat, non-combustible, and high electrical insulation properties.
　Due to its properties, it has been used in various applications such as insulating oils for electrical equipment, heat media for heat exchangers, and non-carbon paper.
　Its toxicity has become evident, and both production and import are now prohibited.　

PCB toxicity

　Due to the nature of being soluble in fat, it has been reported that chronic intake gradually accumulates in the body and cause various symptoms.
　An incident that triggered the widespread use of PCBs was in the process of producing cooking oil in 1968.
　There is a Kanemi oil case in which PCB used as a heat medium was mixed, causing health damage.
　Kanemi oil disease is a food poisoning incident caused by rice oil (rice bran oil) that occurred in October 1968, mainly in West Japan.
　Poisoning symptoms include pigmentation in the nails and oral mucosa, rough acne-like rash (chlorine acne), deformation of nails, and swelling of eyelids and joints.

Devices using PCBs and their processing

　Typical electrical equipment that uses PCBs include transformers, capacitors, and ballasts. Mainly old factories and buildings
　It was used in condominiums, apartments, etc. If you have the relevant building or equipment, please investigate immediately.
　　→Method of determining whether or not PCB is contained

　Wastes from PCBs is subject to the Special Measures Law Concerning the Proper Treatment of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Waste.
　The deadline for disposal is fixed, and the disposal period for low-concentration PCB waste is until March 31, 2027.
　In addition, it is designated as specially controlled industrial waste, and must be stored and disposed of in an appropriate manner.
　　→How to store and dispose of PCB waste

Disposal period for PCB waste stored in Yokohama City
Type of PCB		The last day of the disposal period
High concentrations	Transformers, capacitors, etc.	March 31, 2022 (finished *)
High concentrations	Ballasts, contaminants, etc.	March 31, 2023 (finished *)
Low concentration	Transformers, capacitors, condensers, etc.	March 31, 2027 (Reiwa 9)

※The disposal period for high-concentration PCB waste has been completed by March 31, 2023. In the unlikely event that a high-concentration PCB waste is found, please contact the City of Yokohama, Resources and Waste Recycling Bureau Business Waste Management Section, Waste Reduction Promotion Section (Phone number: 045-671-2513).