Is PCB waste collected from households exempt from disposal regulations?

PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) waste is not exempt from disposal regulations, even when collected from households. The regulations concerning PCBs are governed by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which aims to manage and mitigate the risks associated with harmful chemicals, including PCBs.

Under these regulations, any waste containing PCBs above certain concentration thresholds must be managed as hazardous waste, regardless of its source. This includes waste from residential settings. The rationale for treating PCB waste from households the same as from industrial sources lies in the potential health and environmental risks posed by PCBs, which are known to be toxic, persistent in the environment, and capable of bioaccumulating in living organisms.

Proper handling, storage, and disposal of PCB waste are essential to prevent contamination and protect public health, thus making it clear that such waste is subject to regulatory oversight, regardless of its origin.