Funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology and the EPA Puget Sound Geographic Funds through the Stormwater Strategic Initiative, this campaign raises awareness about the risks of PCBs in building materials and promotes safe removal practices. Through workshops and expert resources, our project equips professionals to effectively address PCB hazards.

Visit our Events Page for upcoming webinars and in-person education events.

Learn About PCBs

Case Studies

PCBs in Building Materials: University of Washington

Between 2021 and 2022, the University of Washington implemented a proactive, campus-wide approach to identifying and abating PCBs across eight buildings and sites, including academic, residential, medical, and parking facilities. UW Environmental Health & Safety conducted preemptive testing alongside lead and asbestos assessments, assumed PCB presence in at-risk buildings, and advanced projects through design, EPA approval, and material disposal. This work has reduced PCB exposure risks for building occupants, significantly limited stormwater pathways for PCB pollution, and strengthened UW’s internal policies, procedures, and training for long-term toxicant management across its aging building stock.

PCBs in Building Materials: Rainier Commons

Rainier Commons undertook a multi-phase PCB identification and abatement effort across a complex, 24-building mixed-use site after PCB contamination was traced to exterior building materials impacting an SPU catch basin. Extensive sampling revealed highly variable PCB concentrations, including elevated levels in exterior paint, prompting EPA-approved remediation using abrasive blasting, hand removal, and negative-pressure containment to prevent contaminant spread. Completed Phase I and II.a activities and approved Phase III work have reduced PCB loads entering stormwater infrastructure, demonstrated effective abatement strategies for large, heterogeneous sites, and generated critical lessons for managing tenant coordination, contractor practices, and long-term remediation planning in multi-tenant developments.

PCBs in Building Materials: Pritchard Library

As part of a major capital improvement project, the Joel M. Pritchard Library conducted targeted PCB identification and abatement after PCBs were discovered in asphaltic expansion joints beneath interior flooring. More than 25 samples confirmed PCB presence in expansion joints and underlying soils, prompting a four-week, EPA-compliant removal effort that eliminated approximately 2,200 linear feet of contaminated material through manual soft demolition. Post-abatement testing verified the site was free of PCBs, allowing renovations to resume while significantly improving occupant health protections and reducing the risk of PCB migration into stormwater systems.

General PCB Overview

Washington Department of Ecology

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

• PCBs in Building Materials

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were banned 45 years ago. Why are they still a problem?

• Region 10 PCB Program

US Environmental Protection Agency

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)(Arochlors)

• Learn about Polychlorinated Biphenyls

• PCBs in Building Materials

• Find your EPA Regional PCB Coordinator

• PCBs in Fluorescent Light Ballasts

• PCBs in Caulk and Residential Demolition

• PCBs In The United States Industrial Use and Environmental Distribution

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in School Buildings: Sources, Environmental Levels, and Exposures

• Benefits of the PCB Cleanup and Disposal Program

• PCB laws and regulations

Other Sources

• Habitable’s Pharos Database: PCBs

• NOAA: What are PCBs?

• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)Management

• Spokane County: PCBs

• Spokane City: Wastewater PCBs

• UW: Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Management

• UW: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Washington Department of Ecology

• How to Find and Address PCBs in Building Materials

• How to Estimate Abatement Project Costs for PCBs in Building Materials

• Ecology Cost Estimation Spreadsheet

US Environmental Protection Agency

• How to notify EPA of PCB activities

• How to Test for PCBs and Characterize Suspect Materials

• Standard Operating Procedure for Sampling Porous Surfaces for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

• Steps to Safe Renovation and Repair Activities

• Steps to Safe PCB Abatement Activities

Guides & Fact Sheets

Washington Department of Ecology

• Focus on: Identifying PCBs in Building Materials

• Polychlorinated Biphenyl Dangerous Waste Guide

• Focus on: How to Protect Stormwater from PCBs in Building Materials

• Disposal Options and Requirements for Polychlorinated Biphenyl Waste

• Dangerous Waste Designation

• Designation Checklist

US Environmental Protection Agency

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Fact Sheet

• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) Inspection Manual

• Fact Sheets

• Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Site Revitalization Guidance Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

• PCBs in Building Materials – Questions and Answers

• PCB Guidance Reinterpretation

• PCB Remediation Waste Cleanup and Disposal

• P2: Pollution Prevention | Reducing inadvertently generated PCBs through pollution prevention

• Managing Remediation Waste from Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Cleanups

• Facility Approval Streamlining Toolbox (FAST)

Case Studies