Region 2
Serving New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Eight Tribal Nations.
EPA Inspection for PCB-containing lighting ballasts
PS 13 and PS 358, Brooklyn, New York
On Saturday, January 22, 2011, EPA conducted an inspection at PS 13 and PS 358, which share a building, to look at lighting ballasts that may contain PCBs and determine if they have leaked in the past or are currently leaking. See below for a chart containing the results of samples taken during this inspection.
If a lighting ballast is leaking PCBs above a regulatory level of 50 parts per million, federal law requires the immediate removal and disposal of the ballast and disposal of any PCB-contaminated materials at an EPA-approved facility.
A total of seven samples were taken from five rooms. Each sample showed results above the regulatory limit.
EPA continues to strongly recommend that the City of New York develop a plan for assessing and addressing leaking ballasts in its schools city-wide.
These recommendations are consistent with EPA’s national guidance recommending that schools take steps to reduce potential exposures to PCBs from older fluorescent lighting fixtures.
Over the past several weeks, EPA has also released results from two other schools that it inspected, PS 53 in Staten Island and PS 11 in Brooklyn. In each space where samples were taken in PS 53, EPA found one or more results that were above 50 parts per million. Twenty two of the total of 33 samples taken showed results above the regulatory limit. In PS 11, 18 out of the total 28 samples taken showed results above the regulatory limit.
PS 13 and PS 358 Brooklyn
January 22, 2011 Sampling Results
Location | Fixture No. | Sample location | Sample Results mg/kg (PPM) | PCB Aroclor | Old/New Ballast | Ballast leaking | Description of Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Room 251 |
3 |
Ballast Wiring |
180 |
1016 |
Old |
Yes |
Tar on Wire |
Room 350 |
2 |
Ballast |
560 |
1016 |
Old |
Yes |
Tar Oozing from Corner |
Room 340 |
2 |
Ballast |
70 |
1016 |
Old |
No |
Residue |
Room 339 |
1 |
Ballast |
340 |
1016 |
Old |
Yes |
Tar Oozing from Seam |
Room 339 |
4 |
Ballast |
390 |
1016 |
Old |
Yes |
Oil Drip |
Room 330 |
1 |
Ballast |
190 |
1016 |
Old |
Yes |
Tar Oozing from Seam |
Room 330 |
3 |
Ballast |
230 |
1016 |
Old |
Yes |
Tar in Seam and Side |