An electrical transformer. It’s an everyday piece of equipment. It’s also a possible risk. Why? Because it may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Here are some of the questions you should consider regarding PCBs, as they relate to transformers:

• Who “owns” the transformer: the college or university, the energy supplier or someone else?
• Does the transformer contain PCB-based oil?
• If so, is the owner following all the requirements of the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (England and Wales) Regulations 2000.
• If it doesn’t contain PCB-oil, is the transformer labelled “non-PCB”?

Electrical transformers are just one place where you might find PCBs. For the purpose of illustration, it’s the example we use to present the laws, regulations and best practices associated with PCBs, as you’ll discover as you continue on this EVC tour.