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Contact EPA Pacific Southwest Cleanup

Pacific Southwest, Region 9

Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

• Spills and Emergencies •
  • National Response Center:
    (800) 424-8802
  • EPA Region 9 24-hour Spill Hotline: (800) 300-2193
    or (415) 947-4400
  • Arizona - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality - Emergency Response Duty Office:
    (800) 234-5677 or (602) 771-4182
  • California - Emergency Services Warning Center: (800) 852-7550
    or (916) 845-8911
  • In Hawaii - Office of Hazard Evaluation and Emergency Response (HEER) [Hawaii Department of Health]:
    24 hour hotline: (808) 247-2191
  • Nevada - Nevada Division of Environmental Protection -
    Bureau of Corrective Action Spill Reporting Hotline: (888) 331-6337 or (775) 687-9485
  • In Pacific Territories - Region 9 spills response (800) 300-2193
  • Very small spill - Call TSCA
Protecting People from PCBs
Inspector testing for the presence of PCBs

Shipping companies fined for alleged illegal distribution and export of PCBs.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic chemicals that were manufactured for use in various industrial and commercial applications - including oil in electrical and hydraulic equipment, and plasticizers in paints, plastics and rubber products - because of their non-flammability, chemical stability, high boiling point and electrical insulation properties.

The Region 9 PCB Program regulates the processing, distribution, use, cleanup, storage and disposal of PCBs under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Pacific Territories, and also provides support for TSCA compliance.

Concern over PCB toxicity and persistence in the environment led Congress to enact Section 6(e) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in 1976 which limits the manufacture, processing and distribution of PCBs.  When released into the environment, PCBs do not easily break apart.  Instead, they persist for many years, bioaccumulate and bioconcentrate in organisms.  The EPA has classified PCBs as probable human carcinogens.  Long-term effects of PCB exposure include harm to the nervous and reproductive system, immune system suppression, hormone disruption and skin and eye irritation.

Regional Information

National Information

TSCA Hotline
Contact Information

Hours of operation
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Monday through Friday EST, (excluding legal holidays)

Phone: (202) 554-1404

Fax (document requests only): (202) 554-5603

E-mail: TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov

Mailing address
U.S. EPA
Environmental Assistance Division (7408M)
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20460

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