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Contact: Catarina Wernlund
The acronym PCB stands for Polychlorinated biphenyls
which is a collective name for a large group of chemically
similar organic compounds. Most PCB-compounds form
viscous oil-like fluids. Due to the substance stability and
other valuable technical properties they were used in,
among other things, electrical appliances and as
a softener in plastics and joint sealing compounds.
In Sweden, large amounts of PCB were used in construction
during the 1960's housing projects "The million programme". |
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PCB can spread through leakage from sealing joints in buildings, for instance. If it reaches
the environment its transported by wind and rain. PCB has a long decomposition time and when
it is spread through the environment it bioaccumulates in the food chain, which means that it is
very easily picked up by living organisms. According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency
(Naturvårdsverket), our health is mainly affected through our consumption of foodstuffs such as
fish, meat and milk. Cautions have gone out due to health effects such as fertility problems,
hormonal and immunological problems and cancer.
PCB is to be treated as toxic waste, and the Swedish government has ordained that property owners
are obliged to inspect and sanitize buildings erected or renovated between 1956 and 1973.
This sanitation is to be completed by 2013. Smaller properties such as villas and row houses are
exempt from this obligation.
Safe Control attends to PCB analyses in cooperation with subcontractors approved by us.
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| In addition to PCB, sealing agents can also contain asbestos and heavy metals. You should therefore send in two samples of the same sealing agent to get a complete analysis. |
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