Regulations last checked for updates: May 28, 2024

Title 40 - Protection of Environment last revised: May 22, 2024
§ 761.360 - Background.

The double wash/rinse procedure is used to quickly and effectively remove PCBs on surfaces. It is important to select and use the proper cleanup equipment, to conduct the procedure correctly so as not to redistribute PCBs, and to comply with disposal requirements for all cleanup materials.

§ 761.363 - Applicability.

The double wash/rinse procedure includes two washing steps and two rinsing steps. The two washing and rinsing steps are slightly different depending on whether a contaminated surface was relatively clean before the spill (see § 761.372), or whether the surface was coated or covered with dust, dirt, grime, grease or another absorbent material (see § 761.375).

§ 761.366 - Cleanup equipment.

(a) Use scrubbers and absorbent pads that are not dissolved by the solvents or cleaners used, and that do not shred, crumble, or leave visible fragments on the surface. Scrubbers and absorbent pads used to wash contaminated surfaces must not be reused. Scrubbers and absorbent pads for rinsing must not contain ≥2 ppm PCBs. Scrubbers and absorbent pads used in the second rinse of contaminated surfaces may be reused to wash contaminated surfaces.

(b) Capture and contain all solvents and cleaners for reuse, decontamination, or disposal. Clean organic solvents contain <2 ppm PCBs. Clean water contains <3 ppb PCBs.

§ 761.369 - Pre-cleaning the surface.

If visible PCB-containing liquid is present on the surface to be cleaned, thoroughly wipe or mop the entire surface with absorbent paper or cloth until no liquid is visible on the surface.

§ 761.372 - Specific requirements for relatively clean surfaces.

For surfaces that do not appear dusty or grimy before a spill, such as glass, automobile surfaces, newly-poured concrete, and desk tops, use the double wash/rinse procedures in this section.

(a) First wash. Cover the entire surface with organic solvent in which PCBs are soluble to at least 5 percent by weight. Contain and collect any runoff solvent for disposal. Scrub rough surfaces with a scrub brush or disposable scrubbing pad and solvent such that each 900 cm 2 (1 square foot) of the surface is always very wet for 1 minute. Wipe smooth surfaces with a solvent-soaked, disposable absorbent pad such that each 900 cm 2 (1 square foot) is wiped for 1 minute. Any surface <1 square foot shall also be wiped for 1 minute. Wipe, mop, and/or sorb the solvent onto absorbent material until no visible traces of the solvent remain.

(b) First rinse. Wet the surface with clean rinse solvent such that the entire surfaces is very wet for 1 minute. Drain and contain the solvent from the surface. Wipe the residual solvent off the drained surface using a clean, disposable absorbent pad until no liquid is visible on the surface.

(c) Second wash. Repeat the procedures in paragraph (a) of this section. The rinse solvent from the first rinse (paragraph (b) of this section) may be used.

(d) Second rinse. Repeat the procedures in paragraph (b) of this section.

§ 761.375 - Specific requirements for surfaces coated or covered with dust, dirt, grime, grease, or another absorbent material.

(a) First wash. Cover the entire surface with concentrated or industrial strength detergent or non-ionic surfactant solution. Contain and collect all cleaning solutions for proper disposal. Scrub rough surfaces with a scrub brush or scrubbing pad, adding cleaning solution such that the surface is always very wet, such that each 900 cm 2 (1 square foot) is washed for 1 minute. Wipe smooth surfaces with a cleaning solution-soaked disposable absorbent pad such that each 900 cm 2 (1 square foot) is wiped for 1 minute. Wash any surface <1 square foot for 1 minute. Mop up or absorb the residual cleaner solution and suds with a clean, disposable, absorbent pad until the surface appears dry. This cleaning should remove any residual dirt, dust, grime, or other absorbent materials left on the surface during the first wash.

(b) First rinse. Rinse off the wash solution with 1 gallon of clean water per square foot and capture the rinse water. Mop up the wet surface with a clean, disposable, absorbent pad until the surface appears dry.

(c) Second wash. Follow the procedure in § 761.372(a).

(d) Second rinse. Follow the procedure in § 761.372(b).

§ 761.378 - Decontamination, reuse, and disposal of solvents, cleaners, and equipment.

(a) Decontamination. Decontaminate solvents and non-porous surfaces on equipment in accordance with the standards and procedures in § 761.79(b) and (c).

(b) Reuse. A solvent may be reused so long as its PCB concentration is <50 ppm. Decontaminated equipment may be reused in accordance with § 761.30(u). Store solvents and equipment for reuse in accordance with § 761.35.

(c) Disposal. Dispose of all solvents, cleaners, and absorbent materials in accordance with § 761.79(g). Dispose of equipment in accordance with § 761.61(a)(5)(v)(A), or decontaminate in accordance with § 761.79(b) or (c). Store for disposal equipment, solvents, cleaners, and absorbent materials in accordance with § 761.65.

source: 43 FR 7156, Feb. 17, 1978, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 40 CFR 761.372