title: PCB remediation in schools: a review.
abstract: Growing awareness of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in legacy caulk and other construction materials of schools has created a need for information on best practices to control human exposures and comply with applicable regulations. A concise review of approaches and techniques for management of building-related PCBs is the focus of this paper. Engineering and administrative controls that block pathways of PCB transport, dilute concentrations of PCBs in indoor air or other exposure media, or establish uses of building space that mitigate exposure can be effective initial responses to identification of PCBs in a building. Mitigation measures also provide time for school officials to plan a longer-term remediation strategy and to secure the necessary resources. These longer-term strategies typically involve removal of caulk or other primary sources of PCBs as well as nearby masonry or other materials contaminated with PCBs by the primary sources. The costs of managing PCB-containing building materials from assessment through ultimate disposal can be substantial. Optimizing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of remediation programs requires aligning a thorough understanding of sources and exposure pathways with the most appropriate mitigation and abatement methods.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., 117 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, USA. kbrown@eheinc.com.
authors.forename: Kathleen W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., 117 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, USA.
authors.forename: Taeko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Minegishi
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., 117 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, USA.
authors.forename: Cynthia Campisano
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Cummiskey
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., 117 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, USA.
authors.forename: Matt A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fragala
authors.affiliation: Strategic Environmental Services, Inc., Sutton, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Ross
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc., 117 Fourth Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, USA. dmacintosh@eheinc.com.|Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. dmacintosh@eheinc.com.
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: MacIntosh
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D012574:Schools
chemical_list: D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Contaminated building materials; Cost; Mitigation; PCBs; Remediation; Schools