PCB-containing ballasts

[Fortylove]

Since PCB-containing ballasts were banned in 1980 (in Canada; I'm not sure about the US), is it possible that any are still in use today ?

They would either have to have lasted over 32 years or were installed post-ban, which is possible too. (i.e. asbestos was banned in the late 70s, but was continued to be used throughout the 80s)

Just want to know what you think and if you have seen any of these PCB ballasts still in use.

Thanks.

 

[Falcon67]

Yes, they are. They just took about 50 out of the ceiling of this floor at work last year when they converted to a drop ceiling with T8 toffers. They were collected and sent out as hazmat material.

 

[malibu101]

Yes they are still out there.
Where I work we send out all of our "universal waste" like ballasts, tubes, batteries, and such.
We have 2 different 55 gallon drums for ballast disposal.

1 barrell is for all ballasts that have "contains no PCB's" printed on the label.
The other barrell is for PCB containing ballasts or a ballast that has a missing label, if it does not say no pcb's we must assume that it does.

Don't know if it's the official DEP way but that's the way our universal waste hauler has us do it.

 

[eljefino]

Believe 1977 is the cutoff in USA.

Many ballasts leak potting compound which is gross and should be handled with care, but is likely not PCB if you have that date stamp on a name brand unit.