PCB Hazards Likely Exist in Some Older Homes and Buildings across Puerto Rico

In 2014, many people who didn’t realize there were still PCB hazards in some older properties learned this disturbing news when supermodel Cindy Crawford pulled her children from a California high school after tests found elevated levels of PCBs in some of the classrooms.  The PCBs were believed to be coming from old window caulking.
 
Caulking material that contained polychlorinated biphenyls were used in homes and buildings primarily between 1950 and 1980. PCBs were added to caulk due to their chemical resistance, durability and elasticity. The toxic chemical compounds were also used in other building materials such as paints, mastics, sealants, adhesives, specialty coatings and fluorescent light ballasts.
 
In 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released guidance regarding PCBs in caulk from buildings constructed or renovated between 1950 and 1978.  The EPA recommends testing for PCBs in peeling, brittle, cracking or deteriorating caulk in buildings, especially in school environments.
 
PCBs can persist in old materials and contaminate surfaces, dust, soils and the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a structure.  This is of particular concern because PCBs can bioaccumulate in humans and animals.  Exposure to PCBs has been demonstrated to cause a variety of adverse health effects on the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems.
 
“Even though it has been decades since PCBs were used in building caulk and other applications, they still persist in some buildings and can cause health concerns,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “This is an ongoing concern in many older properties in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean.  At Zimmetry, our indoor environmental quality professionals provide PCB testing services for caulking, joint compounds, window putty and other materials that may contain these hazardous chemical compounds.”    
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their PCB, indoor air quality, environmental and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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