PCB remediation is a form of environmental cleanup which is designed to remove or neutralize polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), a class of chemicals which have been deemed hazardous to human and environmental health. PCBs were introduced in 1929 and widely used well into the second half of the 20th century before people began to recognize that they were extremely harmful. Production of PCB was banned in 1976. PCB remediation can involve environmental cleanup at a site known to be contaminated, removal of contaminated materials at a site which utilized PCBs, or containment of spills.
This chemical is viscous and very sticky, with a yellowish color and no odor or taste. PCB can accumulate with ease in the soil, and it penetrates a wide variety of barriers, including some types of protective garments. Exposure to PCB has been linked with the development of birth defects and a wide variety of other health problems, making cleanup and containment of this chemical a concern in many regions of the world were PCB was produced or used.
Before people realized how harmful PCBs were, many companies freely released them into the environment. Electric utilities, for example, dumped copious amounts into nearby rivers and streams. Early attempts at proper disposal such as landfilling also proved problematic, as few landfills were equipped to contain PCBs, which meant that contamination occurred both at the site of original use and in remote locations. The goal of PCB remediation is to remove PCB from vulnerable environments and to ensure that it is properly handled and disposed of.
