Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBS) are regulated in 40 CFR Part 761. This regulation establishes prohibitions of and requirements for the manufacturing, processing, and distribution in commerce, and use, disposal, storage, and marking of PCBs and PCB items.

PCBs are mixtures of synthetic organic chemicals with the same basic chemical structure and similar physical properties ranging from oily liquids to waxy solids. Due to their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulating properties, PCBs were used in hundreds of industrial and commercial applications including electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic equipment; as plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products; in pigments, dyes and carbonless copy paper and many other applications. More than 1.5 billion pounds of PCBs were manufactured in the United States prior to cessation of production in 1977.

Concern over the toxicity and persistence in the environment of PCBs led Congress to enact The Toxic Substance Act (TSCA) that included among other things, prohibition for PCBs. The EPA provides various paths for public access information about PCBs at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pcb/.

Substances that are regulated by this part include, but are not limited to: dielectric fluids; solvents; oils; waste oils; heat transfer fluids; hydraulic fluids; paints or coating; sludges; slurries; sediments; dredge spoils; soils; materials containing PCBs as a result of spills; and other chemical substances or combination of substances, including impurities and byproducts and any byproduct, intermediate, or impurity manufactured at any point in a process.

Unless otherwise noted, PCB concentrations shall be determined on a weight-per-weight basis (mg/Kg), or for liquids, on a weight-per-volume basis (mg/l) if the density of the liquid is also reported. PCBs are quantified based on the formulation of PCBs present in the material analyzed, for example, as Aroclor 1242, 1016, 1254 etc.

Most provisions in this part apply only if PCBs are present in concentrations above a specified level. The provisions pertain to the following levels.

EPA Methodology for NPDES sites EPA 608
EPA Methodology for RCRA sites EPA 8082
EPA Methodology for Oils sites EPA 600/4-81/045, EPA 8082

Additional details concerning these regulations can be found at http://www.epa.gov/docs/epacfr40/chapt-I.info/