B. C. Hydro's PCB Program

The fact that PCBs are fat soluble and tend to accumulate in the food chain, combined with their potential for furan and dioxin formation when exposed to low intensity fires, makes them no longer acceptable as insulating fluids in electrical equipment. Consequently, B. C. Hydro has adopted a policy of attrition and storage until destruction facilities become available. Some 60 per cent of PCB equipment inventory has been phased out in recent years. All pole-mounted PCB distribution capacitors have been replaced, and all transformers have been tested for leakage and replaced if found to be contaminated. Where the equipment is still in service, a spill mat has been installed to contain accidental spills, and to facilitate spill cleanup. Storage facilities for PCB wastes awaiting relocation, disposal or destruction exceed government regulatory requirements. There are 17 licensed PCB storage facilities in operation, with 7 new applications in progress. The total PCB material and waste in storage is about 7 million kg, including about 4.8 million kg of contaminated soil. B. C. Hydro also stores PCBs originating in schools and hospitals, but not from others sources outside the company. A comprehensive PCB Waste Tracking System is under development; the overall objective is to become PCB-free by the year 2007