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EPA issues warning to Arizona PCB waste transporters

Release Date: 7/27/2004
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, 415-947-4248 chavez.wendy@epa.gov

SAN FRANCISCO -- Yesterday the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued warning letters to three PCB waste transport companies in Arizona that did not notify the federal government that they were transporting polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, a violation of the Toxic Substances Control Act.

The EPA warned PSC Industrial Outsourcing, Inc. of Phoenix, Englund Equipment Co. of Cashion and Diversified Transportation, Inc. of Laveen of their failure to notify the agency of PCB waste transporting activities, which can result in fines. The EPA worked with the companies over the past weeks, and the facilities have since taken steps to come into compliance.

PCBs cause cancer in animals and harm the human nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. Before the production of PCBs was banned in 1978, more than 1.5 billion pounds were manufactured in the United States for use in electrical equipment, paints and rubber products.

"PCB waste haulers are vital to the proper handling of PCBs," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the Cross Media Division for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "It is critical for them to notify the proper authorities when this material is moved to ensure communities and the public are protected."

Much of the PCB waste in Arizona is transported from PCB equipment owners to metal shredders or fluorescent light ballast recycling facilities where the PCBs are removed and then transported to a landfill or incinerator for final disposal.