PCBs in prescribed locations
The PCB Regulations establish certain prohibitions on the use and storage of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) that apply specifically to certain locations. These prescribed locations include:
- child care facilities
- hospitals
- senior citizens' care facilities
- preschools
- primary or secondary schools
- drinking water treatment plants
- food or feed processing plants
On the property on which the plant or facility is located and being within 100 meters of it (see Figure 1).
Prohibitions on the use and storage of PCBs and products containing PCBs in prescribed locations
- Equipment that contains PCBs at a concentration of 50 mg/kg or more cannot be used at a prescribed location
- Exception: Light ballasts, pole-top electrical transformers and their pole-top auxiliary equipment can be used until December 31, 2026, if the equipment was in use on September 5, 2008
- PCBs or products containing PCBs cannot be stored at a prescribed location
- Exception: Light ballasts
For information on the storage of PCBs at other locations, see the “PCB storage” factsheet.
Figure 1: Identification of prescribed locations
Figure 1-Long description
- Point A is at the hospital (at the prescribed plant or facility)
- Point B is 30 meters away from the hospital and is on the same property (on the property that contains the prescribed plant or facility)
- Point C is 75 meters away from the hospital and is not on the same property (it is passed the property line and is on a property that does not contain a prescribed plant or facility)
- Point D is 120 meters away from the hospital and is on the same property (on the property that contains the prescribed plant or facility)
Prescribed locations:
- A. At the prescribed plant or facility
- The prohibitions* apply here
- B. Less than 100 m away from the prescribed plant or facility and on the same property
- The prohibitions* apply here because it is located on the same property as the prescribed plant or facility and is within 100 meters
*Exceptions to the prohibitions also apply.
Not prescribed locations:
- C. Less than 100 m away from the prescibed plant or facility and on a neighboring property
- The prohibitions do not apply here because it is not on the same property as the prescribed plant or facility
- D. More than 100 m away from the prescribed plant or facility and on the same property
- The prohibitions do not apply here because it is over 100 meters away
Disclaimer
The guidance contained in this page should be used for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal guidance, since it does not reflect all the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) or the PCB Regulations. Thus, should there be any discrepancy between this factsheet and the Act or the regulations, the Act and the regulations will prevail.