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Toxic Substances: Abandonment of PCBs Demonstrates Need for Program Improvements

RCED-87-127 Published: May 20, 1987. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 1987.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the circumstances that led a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) handling firm to abandon PCB at two sites, focusing particularly on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulatory practices and enforcement efforts related to the abandonment.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Environmental Protection Agency To improve EPA identification and control over the safe handling and disposal of PCB, and to reduce the likelihood of other cases of PCB abandonment, the Administrator, EPA, should take appropriate actions to strengthen controls over PCB, including: (1) establishing specific nationwide criteria for PCB permits; (2) requiring intermediate operators to obtain an EPA license or PCB permit, and PCB generators/owners to allow only permitted firms to pick up PCB or PCB materials; and (3) emphasizing periodic inspections of all PCB handlers, especially focusing on the correction of PCB regulatory deficiencies as soon after inspection as possible.
Closed – Implemented
H.R. 3070, introduced in July 1987 as a direct result of the GAO report and passed on June 13, 1988, calls for amending the Toxic Substances Control Act to require persons handling PCB to comply with manifest and financial responsibility criteria for permits and intermediate operators to obtain EPA permit approval. GAO plans to issue an accomplishment report upon final Senate action.

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Topics

Agency missionsCarcinogensControlled substancesFederal regulationsFines (penalties)Industrial wastesInspectionSafety standardsToxic substancesWaste disposal