EPA Tells Smithsonian to Halt Leaks of PCBs
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WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday ordered the Smithsonian Institution to begin repairs within 48 hours on high-voltage transformers that are leaking deadly PCBs in its museums.
An EPA engineer found several transformers that were leaking the chemical. However, the agency said he “did not see any situation in which the public would come in contact with PCBs. The violations were in the storage area.”
PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are used in transformers as insulating fluids or coolants and can produce deadly carcinogens.
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