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Versar Inc , w/encls (?) OPTS 6 2 0 3 5 p c b (Fires) -- ------- File Wr it te n Comm.
Oecember 14 1983
Ms. Denise Keehner
Chemical Regulations Division Office of Toxic substances
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Room 341, East Tower
Waterside Mall Washington, D.C. 20460
Subject: PCB Capacitor Explosion 1n Finland
Dear Oenlse:
I am enclosing several writeups of the events surrounding an
explosion of PCB capacitors /that occurred In Finland on August 2 1982. I just received these from Dr. Dlncler of Zurich Insurance In Zurich, Switzerland. Items of major Interest Include:
Analytical results* Indicating that about 10X of the TCOFs were 2,3,7,8-TCDF.
Cleanup methods used and protective clothing for workers.
Reoccupancy criteria: ,100 yg/ma PCBs 100 ng/m3 total furans 10 ng/m3 2,3,7,8-TCDF
Medical surveillance program and results.
1* >
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I do not see anything In these reports that Is surprising In light of what we have seen and experienced 1n One Market Plaza and Binghamton. . Apparently, banks of capacitors can act Just like transformers. Please let me know 1f you have any questions concerning these reports.
Very truly yours,
Robert A. Westln
RAW/lg
Senior Chemical Engineer
715C-75
Enel: Ruohlo, V. "On the Brink of Catastrophe." Industrial Insurance.
1983. Pp. 8-13.
Elo, O.A. and P. Vuojolahtl. "Capacitor Fire 1n a Paper Mill at Imatra, Finland." undated m anuscrlpt.
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