PCB Fact Sheets, Guidance Documents, Policies, and Papers

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PCB Fact Sheets

DateFact Sheet
March 2025Amendments to PCB Regulations Fact Sheet: Extraction and Determinative Methods, EPA 530-F-25-003
March 2025Amendments to PCB Regulations Fact Sheet: Flexible Provisions for Emergency Situations, EPA 530-F-25-004
March 2025Amendments to PCB Regulations Fact Sheet: Performance-Based Cleanup and Disposal Under Section 761.61(b), EPA 530-F-25-005
March 2024Groundwater Monitoring of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Filtered vs. Unfiltered Sampling
September 2023Technical Guidance for Determining the Presence of Manufactured PCB Products in Buildings and Other Structures (EPA-530-R-23-015)
December 2022 Greener Cleanups Best Management Practices: PCB Cleanups (pdf) (849.77 KB, September 2025 , EPA 530-F-25-014)
May 2021PCBs in Building Materials, Determining the Presence of Manufactured PCB Products in Buildings or Other Structures
January 2021P2: Pollution Prevention Reducing Inadvertently Generated PCBs Through Pollution Prevention
July 2020 PCBs in Fluorescent Light Ballasts (pdf) (461.12 KB)
July 2020 PCBs in Dental X-ray Machines (pdf) (308.45 KB)
February 2018Preventing and Detecting PCB Contamination in Used Oil
August 2015 PCBs Research Overview (pdf) (320.46 KB, July 2015)
August 2015 Laboratory Study of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contamination in Buildings Emissions from Selected Primary and Secondary Sources (pdf) (353.27 KB, July 2015)
August 2015 Laboratory Study of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contamination in Buildings Evaluation of the Encapsulation Method (pdf) (358.94 KB, July 2015)
July 2015

Fact Sheet: Practical Actions for Reducing Exposure to PCBs in Schools and Other Buildings (pdf) (421.68 KB, July 28, 2015)

PCB Guidance Documents

DateGuidance Document
November 2024Fugitive Dust Control at TSCA PCB Cleanup Sites, EPA 530-R-24-005
October 2019Guidance for Applicants Requesting to Treat/Dispose of PCBs Using Incineration or an Alternative Method
May 2017PCB Facility Streamlining Toolbox (FAST), A Framework for Streamlining PCB Site Cleanup Approvals (EPA 530-F-17-002)
July 2015 PCBs in Building Materials- Questions and Answers (pdf) (515.72 KB, July 28, 2015)
November 2013Technical Guidance for Determining the Presence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) at Regulated Concentrations on Vessels (Ships) to be Reflagged
June 2011Planning for Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB)-Containing Disaster Debris
May 2011Standard Operating Procedure for Sampling Porous Surfaces for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), EPA Region 1
November 2005Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Site Revitalization Guidance Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
August 2004PCB Inspection Manual (EPA-305-X-04-003; EPA-305-X-04-002)
January 2004Supplemental Response to Comments Document on the Proposed Rule – Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Storage of PCB Articles for Reuse
19941994 PCB Q & A Document
August 1998PCB Sampling Guidance
May 1998Response to Comments Document on the Proposed Rule -- Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls OPPTS Docket #66009A
June 1987, revised April 1991Wipe Sampling and Double Wash/Rinse Cleanup as Recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency PCB Spill Cleanup Policy
May 1986Field Manual for Grid Sampling of PCB Spill Sites to Verify Cleanup (EPA 560/5-86-017)
August 1985Verification of PCB Spill Cleanup by Sampling and Analysis (EPA 560-85-026)
October 1980Ambient Water Quality Criteria for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (EPA 440/5-80-068) (pdf)(6.2 MB)

PCB Policies

DatePolicy
December 2018EPA’s Response Letter to AGA Regarding MDPE and HDPE as a Non-Porous Surface
April 2017EPA's Response Letter to US Ecology Regarding Treatment of Waste Containing PCBs
April 2013Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs); Recycling Plastics from Shredder Residue
August 2003Interpretive Statement on Change in Ownership of Real Property Contaminated with PCBs
April 1990Polychorinated Bipheyls (PCB) Penalty Policy
Multiple DatesPCB Cleanup and Disposal Guidance in Memoranda Issued by EPA Headquarters
Multiple DatesPCB Cleanup and Disposal Guidance in Interpretive Letters Issued by EPA

PCB Papers

DatePaper
November 2012Laboratory Study of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Contamination and Mitigation in Buildings Part 4. Evaluation of the Activated Metal Treatment System (AMTS) for On-site Destruction of PCBs (EPA/600/R-11/156C)
September 2012Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in School Buildings: Sources, Environmental Levels, and Exposures (EPA 600/R-12/051)
April 2012Laboratory Study of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Contamination and Mitigation in Buildings, Part 3. Evaluation of the Encapsulation Method (EPA/600/R-11/156B)
January 2012Laboratory Study of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Contamination and Mitigation in Buildings, Part 2. Transport from Primary Sources to Building Materials and Settled Dust (EPA/600/R-11/156A )
October 2011Laboratory Study of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Contamination and Mitigation in Buildings, Part 1. Emissions from Selected Primary Sources (EPA/600/R-11/156)
June 18, 2010PCBs in Caulk: Evaluation of Mitigation Methods and Source Characterization Final Draft Research Plan (pdf)(191 KB)
June 2010A Research Study to Investigate PCBs in School Buildings, Final Research Plan (EPA 600/R-10/074) (pdf)(713 KB)
September 1996PCBs: Cancer Dose-Response Assessment and Application to Environmental Mixtures (EPA/600/P–96/001F)

PCB Use Guidance Issued by EPA Headquarters

PCB Cleanup and Disposal Guidance in Interpretive Letters Issued by EPA

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

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Last updated on March 10, 2026