Remember to contact laboratory prior to sampling for information on how to sample.
Recommended Procedure:
a) Know when building was built and if any renovation was done. Look for buildings built between the 1950's and up to the very late 1970s.
b) If the caulking is very hard and breakable, it is most likely oil-based, and does not contain PCBs.
c) If caulk sample has a sulfur smell, it most likely contains PCBs.
d) Wear Nitrile gloves. These can be purchased in hardware stores or Home Depot.
Avoid direct skin contact when handling caulking.
e) Try to find caulking on the ground or loose pieces.
f) Caulk sample size should be approximately 1" in length, 1/4 " in diameter and 1/4" in depth.
g) Place sample in a zip lock bag with identification information.
h) Since it has been found that a section of caulking around a window may have PCBs while another section around the same window might not have PCBs, one should take additional samples.
i) If possible, take a soil sample near the caulking. A grab sample of soil is adequate.
Remember to ask lab, how they want the sample taken and at what depth.
Place in a zip-lock bag or clean glass jar supplied from the lab. Identify sample on bag or jar.
j) The chain of custody needs to be specific as possible. Identify location where sample was taken, time, date, etc. Photos of sample location is highly recommended.
i) Use a lab experienced in PCB analysis.
