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EPA Inspection for PCB-containing lighting ballasts
PS 206, PS 37 and PS 112 in Manhattan, New York
Twelve of Fourteen Samples Above Regulatory Limit

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, EPA conducted an inspection at PS 206, PS 37 and PS 112, which are housed in the same 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 fourteen samples were taken from the three schools: ten from PS 206; one from PS 37; and three from PS 112.  Twelve out of the total fourteen samples taken showed results above the regulatory limit: nine from PS 206; one from PS 37; and two from PS 112.  Samples were taken from a total of nine classrooms, eight of which had one or more samples above the regulatory limit: five rooms in PS 206; one room in PS 37; and two rooms in PS 112.

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.

PS 206, 37 and 112
February 5, 2011 Sampling Results

Location	Fixture No.	Sample location	Sample Results  mg/kg (PPM)	PCB Aroclor	Old/New Ballast	Ballast leaking	Description of Material
PS206 Room 146	1	Ballast	6200	1262	Old	Yes	Oil Dimple
PS206 Room 148	1	Ballast	590	1260	Old	Yes	Active Leak
PS206 Room 148	1	Tray	5500	1260			Tar-like Drops
PS206 Room 148	2	Ballast	U**		Old	Yes	Active Leak
PS206 Room 148	2	Tray	150	1242			Tar-like Drops
PS206     Room 246	1	Ballast	530	1260	Old	Yes	Oil Smear
PS206 Room 246	2	Ballast	95	1260	Old	Yes	Tar Bubble
PS206 Room 237	1	Ballast	7600	1260	Old	Yes	Oil Smear
PS206 Room 333	1	Ballast	510	1260	Old	Yes	Oil Dimple
PS206 Room 333	2	Ballast	1000	1260	Old	Yes	Dried Tar
PS37 Room 422	2	Ballast	3200	1260	Old	Yes	Oil Seepage
PS112 Room 124	1	Ballast	130	1260	Old	Yes	Active Leak
PS112 Room 105	1	Ballast	200	1260	Old	Yes	Active Leak
PS112 Room 309	1	Ballast	18 J*	1260	Old	Yes	Brittle Tar-like Material

* J = Sample results qualified with "J" are estimates but can be used for decision-making.
** U = Non detect

 

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