INDIA BANS PCBS

On the 6th of April 2016 India’s environment ministry (MoEFCC) issued an order banning polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by the 31st of December 2025 and an immediate ban on manufacture and import. It will come into force on the date of its publication in the
Official Gazette.

The Regulation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Order

1. Bans the manufacture and import of PCBs, plus the import of equipment containing PCBs, with immediate effect;
2. Bans the use of PCBs in any form by 2025;
3. States that, until PCBs have been removed from equipment, it must be properly maintained to prevent any leak or release into the environment;
4. States that companies must declare the total quantity of PCBs, and equipment containing PCBs, that are in use, along with their stockpiles, by 6 April 2017, this information will be used to create an inventory that will be issued by the environment ministry;
5. Outlaws the draining and discharge of PCBs directly or indirectly onto land, surface water or treatment plants;
6. Stipulates that disposal must be carried out, according to the government’s provisions on disposal of hazardous waste;
7. Polychlorinated Biphenyls may be used, sold and imported in quantities as required for research and development activities in Central Universities, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Laboratories.

Note:
(a) Equipment containing PCBs shall mean any equipment that contains 0.05 per cent or more PCBs by weight.
(b) Contaminated equipment shall mean any equipment that contains 0.005 per cent PCBs by weight or more but less than 0.05 per cent. PCBs by weight.
(c) Contamination free equipment shall mean any equipment that contains PCBs less than 0.005 per cent by weight.

Characteristics and Use of PCBs

The physical and chemical properties of PCBs is very stable, it has good electrical insulation and good heat resistance.
PCBs may be found in: Capacitors and transformers for power systems, heat transfer oil, hydraulic fluid, vacuum pumps, electric switches, voltage regulators, insulated cable, lubricant oil, surface coatings, and plasticizers.