Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is an organic chlorine compound which is a toxic environmental contaminant. PCB’s were widely used as coolant fluids, in carbonless copy paper and as stabilisers in paint and cement.
PCBs can enter the environment as a result of their manufacture, use and disposal or from accidental leaks during storage or transport. They do not not broken down and require decontamination and treatment.
PCBs need to be stored, handled, transported, treated and disposed of in a safe and proper manner.
Does Veolia offer PCB decontamination services?
Veolia has the capability and experience to deliver solutions to address difficult to treat pollution including PCB. Veolia’s has global expertise in water treatment, soil treatment, environmental management, waste transport and the disposal and destruction of hazardous waste and emerging waste streams.
We can treat contaminated water at one of our liquid treatment facilities or depending on volumes, via a mobile water treatment unit on-site. Treatment depends on the concentration of PCB and the presence of other contaminants and organics in the water.
We can also treat PCB contaminated soils using thermal desorption technology, which utilises heat to increase the volatility of contaminants so they can be separated from the soil. The contaminants are then collected or thermally destroyed, removing concentrations of toxins in soil.
The residuals of PCB need to be thermally destroyed to ensure the contaminant is removed from the environment and poses no further risks.