Safety & Environmental Flashcards
What are the only ways to know an item does NOT contain PCBs?
- It made after 1983
- It is certified non-PCB on its nameplate
What does PCB stand for?
Polychlorinated biphenyl
What are PCBs?
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of man-made chemicals that were widely used in industrial and commercial applications until their production was banned in 1979.
PCBs were used in a variety of applications, including:
Insulating fluids in transformers and capacitors, Hydraulic fluids, Plasticizers in paints and plastics, and Heat transfer fluids.
PCBs are persistent pollutants that can remain in the environment for many years. They can contaminate soil, water, and wildlife. PCBs have been found in many parts of the world, including in the Arctic and Antarctic.
What is the yellow deposit pictured here?
Hexavalent Chromium deposit
What is the danger of Hexavalent Chromium?
Hexavalent chromium is a known human carcinogen that can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer, kidney damage, liver damage, and respiratory irritation. It is odorless and tasteless, and can be found in drinking water.
What does NPDES stand for?
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
What organization authorizes the NPDES permit program to state, tribal, and territorial governments? In other words, it retains oversight responsibilities in states authorized to implement the NPDES program.
The EPA
What is the purpose of NPDES?
The NPDES program controls water pollution by regulating point sources, such as pipes or man-made ditches, that discharge pollutants into US waters.
The NPDES program issues two types of permits:
1. Individual permits: Written for a single discharger based on information submitted in a permit application.
2. General permits: Written to cover multiple dischargers with similar operations and types of discharges.
