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San Francisco Bay Area Implements New Demolition Rules to Prevent PCBs from Contaminating Waterways

PCB Testing Laboratory

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	5/15/2019
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	San Francisco Bay Area Implements New Demolition Rules to Prevent PCBs from Contaminating Waterways
Introduction	LA Testing provides analytical services and sampling supplies to identify polychlorinated biphenyls and other hazardous substances from building materials and environmental samples.
Huntington Beach, CA, May 15^th, 2019 The production of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the United States was banned in 1979 due to environmental and human health concerns. Prior to then, it was used in some building materials, including caulks, mastics, adhesives and some forms of insulation to new a few of the PCB-containing materials that were once used in buildings. PCBs from these materials may become airborne or settle on surfaces as they degrade or as the materials are removed during renovation or demolition projects. Human exposure to PCBs can occur by directly touching PCB-containing materials and surrounding areas or by breathing contaminated air and dust. Protecting the environment from these chemicals that breakdown very slowly and can cycle between air, soil and water over many years is also important. In response, the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) has pushed for ways to prevent PCBs from entering the San Francisco Bay and local waterways. The result of the association’s efforts are new demolition permitting regulations beginning soon in numerous counties around San Francisco Bay that aim to prevent run-off contamination caused by PCB-containing materials and debris. “It has long been known that exposure to PCBs can impact the immune, nervous, endocrine and reproductive systems and that these chemicals can bioaccumulate in humans and animals,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “The new permitting regulations meant to protect people and the environment go into effect on July 1st of this year and will be required for all demolition projects in the seven counties around the Bay Area that involve buildings constructed between 1950 and 1980. At LA Testing, we are ready to assist demolition companies meet the new permitting requirements through PCB and other hazardous substance testing services of building materials as well as indoor and outdoor environmental samples.” To learn more about PCB testing of building materials and environmental samples, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.