Document v603OXRbLBn7kdMm3O60Rap09

r:.7:*,'7r--- 123 f ). irp ol. 1969) J77 19, . BI7, 1. 1 7.; ill* ntam. it, 6). Polychlorinated Biphenyl Emission from Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts >P* by Donald C. Staiff Field Studies Section VJx Environmental Protection Agency Wenatchee, Wash. 98801 Griffith E. Quinsy Consulting Medical Toxicologist Wenatchee, Wash. 98801 1 and David L. Spencer1 and Herbert C. Starr, Jr. Cctarado Community Study on Paiiicidts Greeley, Colo. 80631 Polychlorinated biphenyl* (PCBs) have been used In a vide variety of industrial and consumer applications over the past 40 years, but only recently did evidence appear that those materials were becoming widely distributed In the environment (GUSTAFSON 1970; PESTMAN et al. 1971; RISEBROUGH et &1' 1968). PCBs are used extensively by the electrical industry as components of certain type* of transformers and condensers. >An Important use Is as insulating liquid In ballasts for fBuoreacent light, fixtures. Although light fixtures with brrtlasts are toursf in homes, they find greater uee in offices, laboratories, or industrial plants. Certain types of ballasts, when they reach tie end of their life, may be accompanied by spontaneous leaking, smoking, and a markedly objectionable odor which tends to pemetrste throughout the adjacent area. In ballasts manufactured more recently, thermal protective cut-out switches are usually incorporated into tha units to preventlovfcrheating,thui'preyentinf.gmklng, leaking of fluid, sad "the accompanying objectionable odor. Ballast life is ~~ normally estimated at around twelve years (1ES LIGHTING HANDBOOK 1966) ; however, tltis is dependent primarily upon temperature oft operation. Tfots, shorter life or very much longer service cun be obtained (trending on the circumstances of operation , such as the use of heat shields for deflecting heat from ballast. Although worn-out* ballasts are usually replaced with newer types having thermal protective switches, a great many of tha earlier units witibsut such protective devices are still in use thaoughout the country. Because ballast fluids are known to contain PCBs, the occasional burnout of ballasts et this laboratory has stimu lated our interest in the problem of PCB emission, notoniy. from the standpoint of potential exposure of people working nearby but also from tha potential of the compounds emitted being undesirable...containlDatts__in_aii.ADalytl.cel. chemistry laboratory where analyses for trace amounts of relate<T7ompounds era'bein&Tbrrled out. Trior to 1952 the liquid used as'the Insulating medium in the types of ballasts under study was Aroclor 1254;* however, after that it was replaced by Aroclor 1242 which has better electrical properties and a more favorable dielectric constant (GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY 1972). ^Present address: Analytical Development Corporation, 1772 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument, Colorado 80132. 455 SuIUHb ! Etaliwmnwnlal CfaUifiUttl** S V*l. IS, N*. *D 1974 b, Sprli>ti-Vtrl,| N* Y*k Int. HONS 082236 ; niskrtWsStfri'fcs.ii -if * . v , The purpose of the present study was to determine if PCBs are-eml'ttwJ whcwf iunsagn^nt Uaht ballaxta-burn out;--Co tJetiRnlnirwIflch compounds. It anyr"*re involved; to explore Che analytica.1 problems encountered In PCB analyses; and to attempt to quantitate any emission at different distances from burned out, defective, or properly operating ballasts. EXPERIMENTAL Tests for PCB emission were carried out under several experimental conditions at the Wenatchee Research Station laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wenatchee, Washington. In one series, samples of air were taken at different distances from a spent ballast that had burned out under actual operating conditions. Sampling vaa started S minutes sfter objectionable odor and fluid leakage indicated a burnout.. This was followed three days later by the collectlon of additional air samples at the same respective locations. Several waeks later air samples were also taken at different distances from similar ballasts that appeared to be operating satisfactorily In the fluorescent light units. . In a second series of teats, both burned-out and nonburntd-out ballasts were heated at various temparatureg in 61 x 122 x 122 cm test chamber boxes. Air samples were drawn from the test chambers during 30-mlnute periods when the temperatures of the lower sides of the ballast casings were approximately 150, 300, and 400C to determine emission of PCBs and leakage of fluid as related to temperature under artificial conditions. In the above teats two sites of ballasts were involved. One was 13 cm in length and the ocher type was 26.7 cm in length. Each was designed for operation of two 96T12 or two 72T12 flcorescent lamps at 425 or 430 mllllamps. All air sampling noted above was accomplished by use of portable battery-powered vacuum pumps connected In series to two midget implngers. Ethylene glycol was used as the trapping solvent. A flow ra;tc of 2.83 liters per minute was employed. Samplers were operated for periods of 30 minutes for the series In test chambers mod from 2 to 6 hours following conventional burnout or during normal operating conditions. A third series of tests to detect low-level PCB emissions from fluorescent lights was carried out at the Colorado Community Study on Pesticides, Greeley, Colorado, using the nylon chiffon screen method of TESSARI and SPENCER (1971). This method involves exposure of an ethylene glycol-treated eloth screen in an area to ba tested for the presence of chem icals in sir. The screen was left In place for sampling period of 144 hours during fluorescent light operation, thus allowing contact with a larger volume of air than was utilised ^Usa of trade names is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 4 , . \ ; : j I j '' ; ' >. ft '.Vy^yyi^yyva': un.qw'Tr m M,ip's MONS 002237 r~~ &LLjei&iLiL*. . ^1. T'r a.'!- I j i ) \ i j with the Implnger. This made it possible to detect smaller mounts of PCBs than was possible with the lmpinger technique. Following a sampling period, the cloth screen is extracted with a suitable solvent to be used in chemical analysis. The present study Involved exposure of one~half square meter of ethylene glycol-treatad nylou chiffon cloth having mesh openings of 0.0477 sq cm, thread size 0.0076 cm, 90 mesh, and 477. open area. This cloth was suspended from a laboratory light fixture so that its maximum distance from the fixture was 35.6 cm. The fluorescent light fixture held two 40-watt bulbs 122 cm long and was equipped with a high power factor lead log ballast 20.3 cm long, 118 volts, 60 cycles, and line current 0.85 amperes. Sample Work-up: Ethylene glycol from the impingers was transferred Co a separatory funnel and the Impingers were washed with water. Dilute sodium sulfate solution was added to the oomblned ethylentr glycol-water mixture. The solution was mixed well and extracted 3 times with nanograde hexane. The combined hexane extracts were filtered over anhydrous sodium sulfate and collected in 100 ml volumetric flasks. The solutions of hexane then could either be diluted or concentrated to give an appropriate working concentration for gas chromatographic or thin layer chromatographic analyses. Details for extraction and work-up of the extract from the nylon chiffon neah screen are given In the paper by TESSARI and SPENCER (1971). Caa Chromqfroeraphv; Air samples obtained from the burnedout ballast and subsequent experimentally heated ballasts, as vail at liquid residues from these ballasts, were analyzed by gas chromatography, A Microtek MT-220 gas chromatograph equipped with a iH* (tritium) electron capture detector was used. Columns employed were 47. SE-30/6% QF-1 on Chromosorb W, H.P. 80/100 rnenh and 1.5% OV-17/1.957. QF-1 on Chromosorb W, H.P. 100/120 mesh. Additional confirmation of PCBs from the cloth screen v*a obtained by gas chromatography on a 3% OV-1 column using a chlorine specific Coulson electroconductivity detector system. Thin Laver Chromatography; The gas chromatographic analyses were confirmed by reverse phase thin layer chroma tography according to the method of DE VOS and FEET (1971) . Uniplate TLC plates were used. Liquid residues were analyzed with appropriate dilutions, directly on the TLC plates, con currently with Aroclor standards.^ Air samples, in some cases, required concentration of the hexane extract before visuali sation could be accomplished. More specific identification ef PCBs from the cloth screen was by the thin layer chroma tography procedure according to MULHORN ejt el. (1971).2 2 Provided by Monsanto Chemical Co St. Louis, Mo. 457 lJ .1^ !! ili iiy.ypM .v . ; ^ ^ jV? T"! MQNS 08^38 I ^zvy."* &&& 7,^'j v iinUU!: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Results of analyses of the volatile emissions from a burned-out fluorescent light ballast indicated a preponderance of Aroclor 1242 formulation of polychlorinated biphenyls. Certain other peaks characteristic of polychlorinated biphenyls were noted, but were not identified. Analysis of samples of the dark, oily wHrh dripped baiiaat vaiiue ol o.i X ;u ppm mvkiui **** wilii no evidence of other polychlorinated biphenyls. The approximace distribution of PCBe emitted from a bixned-out ballast In a laboratory room Is shown In Table 1. Calculations baaed on results of air samples collected during a 4-1/2-hour period starting 5 minutes after detection of ballast burnout indicated a level of 0.166 mg/M-*, the highest level found In this series of tests. This was at a point 1 M below the fluorescent light fixture and ballast, and approxi mately nose heijflt level for vorkers In the area. Air samples taken at the sao.a height but 2 M from the ballast showed a Maximum value oJf 0.046 tng/M^. At 3 to 6 K distance at the mama height the values were from 0.012 to 0.018 ng/M^. All values are below the 1.0 mg/M* threshold limit established ~ tPlf Aroclor 1243 by the American Cofar.enrp^fLf_Ctmerninen^al^ Industrial Hygienists (1972). Thus, unless several ballasts burn out at anuroximatelv_Je.xaae-tina.. -health -haaaxd.to 2 j^efsons expose^lyt^* ****.*..*^u^ In order t determine if there was any peraistence of PCBs In the rocan after a period of 3 days,' another aeries of sir samples were collected at the same locations as given above (Table 2). In generalf Aroclor 1242 waa_stlll detectable but at very low levclsT ' One meter below the ballast the highest'concentration found at that time was 0.004 mg/M-*, and at the 2 M distance It was 0.002 mg/M^. At 4.5 to 6 M distance the values were 0.001 mg/M . Several werits after the original burnout occurred, no BCBs^couId be detected (lower^Xlmit of sensitivity oftcSt 1ms'approximately 0.0005 mg/M* in air samples taken during a five-hour periodl (1019 liters per sample) at different distances from properly operating fluorescent light ballast units in the laboratory building. One of the samples was taken within 5 cm of a ballast casing having a bottom surface tsmparature of 72C. Bottom surface temperatures of 10 nortsaliy operating ballasts In the laboratory ranged from 67C to 72C. Results of analyses of artificially Induced FCB emissions flora ballasts heated at various temperatures in a test chamber are shown in Table 3. Samples 14 and 15 involved additional heating of the same ballast that emitted PCBs in the laboratory as reported in Tables 1 and 2. PCB samples 16-18 and PCB 459 MONS 082ii0 ci> ^sr**** *': ** * - * > m ' r ^ r r ^ 'r r myT n ^ *.:.?/:, :.:f ^ ^ rJ.V ^irii i VVi) TABLE 2 Platrlbutlon of Polychlorinated Biphenyls In Boon 3 Psys After turnout of Light Ballast* Semple Air sampling no. time (hrs) Distance of eir sampler from ballast _________________ 35_________________ 86 1 (below) Amount of PCjjb recovered (us.) 5.1 Calculated air concentration (mulnh 0.001 96 1 (below) 4.3 0.004 10 6 2 (laterally) 2.4 0.002 11 6 2 (laterally) 1.9 0.002 12 6 13 6 4.5 (N.W. corner of room) 6 (S.V. corner of room) 0.7 0,9 0.001 Q .001 33 cm ballast designed for oparatlon of two 96T12 or two 72T12 fluorescent lamps at 425 Mfc (without thermal protection switch). ^Identified as Aroclor 1242. . - .. j .... ....... _ ............ . - ......... - ,,. ............. ....... .. " --------- \ r SNOU *> </A fcttmuin Intota Air Semple sampling no. tine Description of ballast9 (hre) Temp. heated PCBc recovered Air concentration in test chanb<er Cm/M3) 14 0.5 33 ea burned-out ballast. Sow leakage of fluid (during heating). Previously burned-out (ruptured) In laboratory15 0.5 gn ti> 14___________________________________ 300 144 400 2.400 1.696 28.268 16 0.5 Sane ballast type aa 14 (nonruptured) 17 0.5 Sane aa 16 18 0.5 Sane as 16 150 none 300 54 400 230 eld 0.636 2.709 19 0.5 26.7 cm burned-out Instant start ballast (nonruptured). Some leakage of fluid during heating. 20 0.5 Sane as 19 21 0.5 Sane aa 19 150 none 300 65 400 580 elc 0.765 6.833 22 0.5 Sana type aa 19 (nonruptured) but had not 150 none burned out. Leaked black fluid above 30QC. 25 0.5 Sane as 22 300 47 24 0.5 Sane as 22 400 214 eld 0.553 2.521 *0n hot plate in test chambers. ^Designed for use with two 96T12 or 72T12 fluorescent leaps at 425 MA without protective thermal trip devices. dBelcv lover Unit (0.0005 m3) of sensitivity of test. J-y.'i 2 C 2 to a 4K, rsj :r 4 samples 19-21 represent two additional ballasts which had previously burned out. PCB samples 22-24 represent a ballast that had been removed from e properly operating light unit that had not burned out. As can be seen in Table 3, no Identifiable PCBs could be detected at 150C. At 300C the values ranged from 0.S53 to 1.696 mg/M^ for Aroclor 1242 in the test chamber and at 400C the values ranged from 2.321 to 28.268 mg/M . It can also be seen in comparing these data that the heated ballast that had not burned out yielded resulte similar to the burned out ballasts. The above temperatures were chosen in an effort to bracket the possible temperature during which an actual burnout may occur. .These raaujf indicate that emission of _praa-frr>m have become defective end burned out occur at temperatures in the range ili<J1ighei_tei!ipet5ute_use<J_l.n ttw_ experiment. This can be considered a safety factor when compered to the average surface operating temperature of approximately 67C to 72C we found for fluorescent light ballasts that appeared to be operating normally. At the higher temperatures In the test chamber much emoke and fumes were emitted end blackt thick, tar-llke fluid seeped from the ballast casings. This material on cooling became hardened like tan as contrasted to the dark, oily liquid which dripped from th! unit during actual burnout. Analysis of the cooled ( ._*7 ter showed no PCB content. <--------------------------------------- In. the present stmdy each of the samples were run con- comitartly with ell smspected Aroclor formulations (1242, 1248, 1254, end 1260). Although in some sir temples certain other VCB peaks were mated, only Aroclor 1242 was reported because the few additional peeks were very email. la the study uslrg the eloth screen technique, compounds identified as PCBs were detected in the range of 4.3 to 4.6 /ig depending on tie method of calculation. Using the method of TESSARI end SPENCER (1971) to estimate the level of the cojtamlnant in sir utilising values obtained in the cloth screen teats, approximately 3 to 15 ng/H^ could be calculated as present at the sampling sons. Determination of lower levels then vest found with the lmpinger wee possible becauae the cloth screen wee subjected to e larger volume of air during the test period. ~ Thu results of the present paper, even though based on llmlt*d testtna7 indicates that PCBs ere emitted during burnout of certain types of ballasts contained in tiuorescent light " untar: Even tlumyh-thm it* the level whlch_mlght-pgassat--heal-th~haaTd-to persons-- worklng_iacontslijated ares, the PCBs sisy he nnrtrilr*blc fdhteralnsnts tn certain laboratory** hrq d*tectlon of treee amounts~Bf relata<Lcnnpounde is necessary. Dripping ot oily materialetters, and PCBs from ballasts onto e workbench end glassware where samples ere being prepared could present even more serious problems in 'Ehe~*nalyses of 'sueh'iamplea by'gaa chromatogre^Ry. ~ -------------- - 462 tv. :v; ft'; ", $ ,;v* / .: > -`v.-: r. ^ '?Vr- iij-., h .\j4' ,A.'-./, iv ' r 7. . .. V.-' .. , . . - ;; MONS mm r<ns n>n7ny,- .- V f h d -els Results also Indicate that emission from "normally operating" xiuorescent light units la very low. The leveLa found are insignificant in comparison to the estab 1 istied threshold limit of 1 mg/M^ for Aroclor 1242 (AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYGIENISTS 1972). It la possible that new fluorescent light ballasts may have no PCB emission and that certain older ballasts In "normally operating" Tight units may emlF'even more than was indicated -In our EBICi'i'hovevef"this could not be clarified with the limited experimentation conducted. In recent years manufacturers have Incorporated thermal protective switches in ballasts to prevent overheating and burnout. Thus, units now used as replacements should not 1 overheat, rv'pturc. And 'emit FCBa. However, because of the long life of ballasts (12 yrs average) many older thermally unprotected units are still in operation. Where PCB contaaination may b a serious problem, resulting from ballast burnouts, consideration should be given to replacement of such nonprotected units with thermally protected units before burnouts occur. If a burnout should occur in a laboratory vhera trace amounts of PCBs may causa Interference in ana lytical results, all glassware and surfaces exposed to either contaminated sir or to liquid emission should be thoroughly decontaminated before use. REFERENCES AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYCIBUSTS: Threshold Limit Values of Airborne Contaminants and Physical Agenta with Intended Changes Adopted by ACCIH for 1972. DE VOS, R.B., and E.W. PEET: Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. , 164 (1971). DUSTMAN, EJ., L.F. STICKEL, L.J. BLUS, W.L. REICHEL, and S.N. W1EMEYER: The Occurrence and Significance of Polychlori nated Blphaiyls in the Environment, Tranaactiona of the Thlrty-Sixfci North American Wildlife and Natural Reaources Conference, March 7-10, 1971. Washington, D.C.: Wildlife Management Institute 1971. GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY: The Role of Polychlorinated Biphenyls im Electrical Equipment, 29 pp., Feb. 4, 1972. GUSTAFSON, D.C.: Environ. Scl. Technol. 4, 814 (1970). IBS LIGHTING HANDBOOK, J.E. Kaufman, Ed., 4 ed. New York: Illuminating Engineering Society 1966. MULHERN, B.M., E. CHROMARTIE, W.L. REICHEL, and A.A. BEIISLE: JAOAC 4, 548 (1971). R1SEBROUCH, R.W., P.R. R1ECHE, and D.B. PEAKALL: Nature 220, 1098 (1966). TESSARI, J.D., and D.L. SPENCER: JAOAC 54, 1376 (1971). I f MONS 002244 i ? wyiv