What are the recommendations in terms of standards to guide decision makers in making a prudent analysis of health risk factors vs. cost risk factors? ... Michael Kaplowitz, Chairman of Budget and Appropriations Committee, Westchester County Board of Legislators

The use of PCBs in caulking and sealant materials has never been authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency. In general, the placement of such materials pre-dates the enactment of the Toxic Substances Control Act and its use today is not authorized. Therefore, the prospect of authorizing the continued use of this material in residential settings, or where childen could be exposed, is extremely unlikely. Because it is illegal, and the potential for exposure may be significant, PCB-containing caulk must be removed upon discovery.

Kenneth S. Stoller, P.E., QEP, DEE
Chief
Pesticides and Toxic Substances Branch
Environmental Protection Agency
Region 2

EPA Letter to Michael Kaplowitz, November 3, 2005

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"Were the masonry caulk wipe test concentration the result of a spill (rather than the caulk product, itself), the EPA standard would not allow encapsulation of the PCBs in the caulk, because the wipe concentration is too high, and physical removal of the material would be required. However, that standard is not applicable, and there is no known requirement for proactive removal of building materials that contain PCBs. Accordingly, sealing the caulk to at least a height of 6 feet (the height at which the EPA distinguishes low and high contat areas), would appear to be a prudent relatively low cost action, pending further guidance or standard setting at the state or federal level. On-going inspection of the sealant will be required to verify its future integrity".

FINAL REPORT ON PCB WIPE SAMPLING: AUGUST 30, 2005
FRENCH HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HDR|LMS
Henningson, Durham & Richardson Architecture and Engineeering, P.C.
September 2005

Link to French Hill Final PCB Report

PCB contaminated masonry caulking on front column at the French Hill Elementary School in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

Note: Chalk writing on PCB-laden caulk by children.

Caulk contained 60,000 ppm of PCB (Aroclor 1254 and 1260)
Caulk is 6.0% PCB

Wipe sample of caulk yielded 22,700 ug/100 cm2.
(Magnitude of PCBs warranted encapsulation)

PCBs migrated/ leached to the top surface of the caulk.

Link to French Hill PCB Report

Photo taken by anonymous individual.

PCB contaminated masonry caulk coverd with new caulking and green exterior paint on front columns at French Hill Elementary School in Yorktown Heights, NY

Please note that the PCB- laden caulk from column was removed during renovation in 8/2007.

Photo taken by anonymous individual.

PCB-laden masonry caulk covered with new caulk over high contact area on school wall.

PCB-laden caulk above encapsulation
still exposed to the environment

Photo taken by anonymous individual.