Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Polychlorinated biphenyls, called PCBs, are toxic materials that accumulate in the tissues of fish, wildlife, and humans and remain a problem for the San Francisco Bay. Stormwater runoff is considered a significant pathway for PCBs to enter the Bay. All Bay Area municipalities must address potential sources of PCBs including certain building materials (e.g. caulks/sealants, insulation) that may contain PCBs from entering storm drains during building demolition. 

PCB Assessment Requirements

The West Valley Cities/Town are required to develop an assessment protocol methodology for managing PCBs in applicable structures planned for demolition. All applicants for demolition permits must conduct an assessment to screen for PCBs in priority building materials beginning July 1, 2019. The requirements apply to whole building demolition of commercial, multi-family residential, public, institutional, and industrial structures constructed or remodeled between 1950 and 1980 in the San Francisco Bay region, including Santa Clara County. Single-family homes and wood-frame structures are exempt.

For all applicable structures, applicants applying for a demolition permit must sample these four priority building materials for PCBs before demolition:

     1)  caulks and sealants
     2)  thermal/fiberglass insulation and other insulating materials
     3)  adhesive/mastic
     4)  rubber window seals/gaskets

Demolition Permit Application Materials

Application materials for a demolition permit (including forms, instructions related to the new program to manage PCBs, and a sampling protocol) are provided below.

PCBs Screening Assessment Part 1 (PDF) (required for all demolition permit applicants)
PCBs Screening Assessment Part 2 (PDF) (required if structures are applicable)
BASMAA PCBs Sampling Protocol

Questions

For any questions regarding the new program, please contact the City/Town Building Department/Division where your demolition site is located.