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| In what kinds
of products have PCBs been used? |
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PCBs attracted the attention of commercial
markets due to their properties of electrical insulation
and resistance to heat. PCBs have been produced in many
countries under various brand names, such as Arocrol (in
the U.S. and the UK) and Kaneclor (in Japan). Typical
product names appear in the chart.
PCBs were mainly used as insulating oils and as a heating
medium. They were used in many products, including transformers
for buildings and railroads, condensers, capacitors for
fluorescent lights, heat mediums in heaters, lubricants
for pumps, flame-proof finish coatings, and non-carbon
papers. They were used in a range of amounts, from large-sized
transformers containing up to 60kg of PCBs, to small-sized
products, like capacitors of fluorescent lights containing
only small amounts of PCBs.
Prohibition of the production of PCBs began in the 1970s
and 1980s in developed countries. However, there are PCBs
that are still used in some products. For instance, the
use of PCB-containing products is allowed in Japan until
the expiration date of the products.
It is reported that in the past, PCBs were also used as
sealants in buildings and in electrical appliances. For
this reason, there might still be something near you that
contains PCBs. Caution is required when disposing electrical
appliances made before the production prohibitions of
the 1970s.
Photo:Center for Marine Environmental
Studies (CMES),
Ehime University
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Brand Names of PCBs
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English
Name
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Producing
Country |
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| APIROLIO |
Italy |
| AROCLOR |
U.K. / U.S.A |
| ASBESTOL |
U.S.A |
| ASKAREL |
U.K. / U.S.A |
| BAKOLA131 |
U.S.A |
| CHLOREXTOL |
U.S.A |
| CLOPHEN |
Germany |
| DELOR |
Czechoslovakia |
| DK |
Italy |
| DIACLOR |
U.S.A |
| DYKANOL |
U.S.A |
| ELEMEX |
U.S.A |
| FENCLOR |
Italy |
| HYDOL |
U.S.A |
| INTERTEEN |
U.S.A |
| KANECLOR |
Japan |
| NOFLAMOL |
U.S.A |
| PHENCLOR |
France |
| PYRALENE |
France |
| PYRANOL |
U.S.A |
| PYROCLOR |
U.K. |
| SAFT-KUHL |
U.S.A |
| SOVOL |
Former Soviet Union |
| SOVTOL |
Former Soviet Union |
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The Use of PCBs
Uses
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Examples of products,
and the places they are used |
| Insulating
oil |
For transformers |
Transformers for buildings,
hospitals, railroad vehicles, vessels, etc. |
| For capacitors |
Capacitor for fluorescent lights
and mercury lamps. Household electrical appliances,
such as air-conditioners, washing machines, monochrome
television sets, and microwave ovens.
Fixed paper capacitors for motors, capacitors for
direct currents, capacitors for accumulation of
electricity . |
| Heat medium (heating
and cooling) |
Heating and cooling agent in
various chemical, food, synthetic resin industry.
Preheating agent of the fuel oil of vessels, central
heating systems, and panel heaters. |
| Lubricating oil |
Lubricating oil for high temperature,
fluid for oil-hydraulic circuits, vacuum pump oil,
etc. |
| Plasticizer |
For insulation |
Covering and insulating tape
of an electric wire. |
For resistances to flame
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Mixed to polyester resin, polyethylene
resin, rubber, etc. |
| Others |
Mixed to adhesives, varnish,
wax, and asphalt. |
| Dot impact printer |
Non carbonic papers (solvents),
electronic type copying papers |
| Paints and printer
inks |
Paints for fire-resistance,
corrosion-resistance, chemical-resistance, and waterproof.
Printer inks. |
| Others |
Coating of papers, sealants
of cars, coloring of china glassware, color television
parts, the effect extension agents of agricultural
chemicals, oil additive agents. |
|
Ministry of Environment (2001); "For proper processing
of polychloro biphenyl (PCB) waste."
Pamphlet. |
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