End of the line for PBCs
Páginas: 5 (1153 palabras)
Publicado: 29 de marzo de 2012
End of the Line for PCBs by Ana Macoretta
August 13 2001
Introduction
The legislation concerning polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Argentina and the implications for industrial facilities using these substances have recently changed dramatically.
Millions of tonnes of PCBs have been produced and used in most industrial countries around the world for many years in paints, rubberproducts, dyes and carbonless copy paper, to name but a few. In industrial facilities they were particularly useful as coolants for electric transformers and capacitors.
In the 1970s technical studies detected that continuous exposure to PCBs could result in health problems. They were linked to developmental defects and other serious problems in both humans and animals, including the following:* chemical carcinogenesis;
* immunodeficiency;
* neurotoxic effects; and
* endocrine disruptions.
From 1976 onwards these compounds were banned in most industrialized countries because of their toxicity.
Argentine Legislation on PCBs
Although Argentina began to regulate the handling and disposal of PCBs in 1989, it was only on June 4 2001 that their generation, importationand commercialization was finally banned It was ruled that existing equipments containing PCBs must be gradually replaced and totally eliminated by 2010.
Argentine legislation regulates PCBs on two different grounds: as hazardous waste and as hazardous substances. As hazardous waste PCBs are regulated by environmental legislation, which establishes the appropriate procedure for their treatmentand final disposal. As hazardous substances they are regulated under labour legislation, which deals with all issues pertaining to health and safety requirements in the workplace.
Environmental legislation
Two main pieces of environmental legislation are currently in force: (i) the Basel Convention signed in 1989 in Switzerland, and (ii) the Hazardous Wastes Act 24,051, passed in 1991.The Basel Convention was passed by Act 23,922 and governs all issues related to the exportation of hazardous wastes to countries where PCBs can be disposed of by incineration in special facilities. As no such facilities exist in Argentina, this convention has a wide application. The Basel Convention was the immediate legislative precedent for the Hazardous Waste Act, which was enacted two yearslater.
The Hazardous Waste Act 24,051 was implemented by Decree 831/93 and governs the generation, transportation, treatment and final disposal of hazardous wastes, within federal jurisdictions and in some other specific cases. According to these regulations all equipments and materials containing PCBs are considered 'hazardous wastes' and are categorized as 'Y10'.
The clean-up and disposal ofthis equipment must be performed in accordance with Decree 831/93. In case of non-compliance with the provisions of this decree the following penalties will apply:
* warnings;
* fines from $500 to $50,000;
* suspension of registration with the National Registry of Generators of Hazardous Wastes, from a minimum of 30 days for up to a maximum of one year; and
* annulment of thatregistration.
The suspension or annulment of the registration implies the suspension of activities and closure of the facility. Many industrial facilities in Argentina may be in possession of PCBs that were used, or are still being used, as coolants for electric transformers and capacitors. For further information about the liability-related implications for current owners of PCBs accordingto the Hazardous Waste Act, please see Legislation Handles Hazardous Waste.
Labour legislation
An international-level labour law concerning PCBs was first passed on June 24 1974 at the 139th International Labour Organization convention, held in Switzerland. The convention established international standards concerning protection against carcinogenic substances, including exposure to PCBs....
August 13 2001
Introduction
The legislation concerning polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Argentina and the implications for industrial facilities using these substances have recently changed dramatically.
Millions of tonnes of PCBs have been produced and used in most industrial countries around the world for many years in paints, rubberproducts, dyes and carbonless copy paper, to name but a few. In industrial facilities they were particularly useful as coolants for electric transformers and capacitors.
In the 1970s technical studies detected that continuous exposure to PCBs could result in health problems. They were linked to developmental defects and other serious problems in both humans and animals, including the following:* chemical carcinogenesis;
* immunodeficiency;
* neurotoxic effects; and
* endocrine disruptions.
From 1976 onwards these compounds were banned in most industrialized countries because of their toxicity.
Argentine Legislation on PCBs
Although Argentina began to regulate the handling and disposal of PCBs in 1989, it was only on June 4 2001 that their generation, importationand commercialization was finally banned It was ruled that existing equipments containing PCBs must be gradually replaced and totally eliminated by 2010.
Argentine legislation regulates PCBs on two different grounds: as hazardous waste and as hazardous substances. As hazardous waste PCBs are regulated by environmental legislation, which establishes the appropriate procedure for their treatmentand final disposal. As hazardous substances they are regulated under labour legislation, which deals with all issues pertaining to health and safety requirements in the workplace.
Environmental legislation
Two main pieces of environmental legislation are currently in force: (i) the Basel Convention signed in 1989 in Switzerland, and (ii) the Hazardous Wastes Act 24,051, passed in 1991.The Basel Convention was passed by Act 23,922 and governs all issues related to the exportation of hazardous wastes to countries where PCBs can be disposed of by incineration in special facilities. As no such facilities exist in Argentina, this convention has a wide application. The Basel Convention was the immediate legislative precedent for the Hazardous Waste Act, which was enacted two yearslater.
The Hazardous Waste Act 24,051 was implemented by Decree 831/93 and governs the generation, transportation, treatment and final disposal of hazardous wastes, within federal jurisdictions and in some other specific cases. According to these regulations all equipments and materials containing PCBs are considered 'hazardous wastes' and are categorized as 'Y10'.
The clean-up and disposal ofthis equipment must be performed in accordance with Decree 831/93. In case of non-compliance with the provisions of this decree the following penalties will apply:
* warnings;
* fines from $500 to $50,000;
* suspension of registration with the National Registry of Generators of Hazardous Wastes, from a minimum of 30 days for up to a maximum of one year; and
* annulment of thatregistration.
The suspension or annulment of the registration implies the suspension of activities and closure of the facility. Many industrial facilities in Argentina may be in possession of PCBs that were used, or are still being used, as coolants for electric transformers and capacitors. For further information about the liability-related implications for current owners of PCBs accordingto the Hazardous Waste Act, please see Legislation Handles Hazardous Waste.
Labour legislation
An international-level labour law concerning PCBs was first passed on June 24 1974 at the 139th International Labour Organization convention, held in Switzerland. The convention established international standards concerning protection against carcinogenic substances, including exposure to PCBs....
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