OVER the next several days, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be removing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) oils from two old leaking transformers at the Apra Heights and Talofofo Substations.

USEPA Region 9’s emergency response staff is on-island working with the Guam Power Authority and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency to clean out the inside area of the transformers that have PCB oil.

The transformers each have about 3,000 gallons of PCB cooling oil that were discovered to be leaking. They are stored inside a fenced and secured outdoor spill containment area at the substations.

It is not known how long the transformers have been leaking, but USEPA indicated GPA plans on repairing and reusing the transformers once they are drained of the PCB oil and refilled with non-PCB cooling oil.

GPA spokesman Art Perez said there is no cleanup involved.

“They’ve agreed to drain and dispose the PCB oil that we have at the Apra Heights Substation and at no cost to GPA,” Perez said, adding USEPA hired local companies Environmental Quality Management and GRESCO to assist in the removal of the oil.

The contractors will drain the oil, clean the transformer, and replace the PCB oil with non-PCB oil.

“It’s my understanding that the oil will be removed, properly stored and shipped off-island for proper disposal at a facility that’s rated for this type of work. Most likely it’ll be in the mainland,” he said.

Perez said they have only a few PCB-affected equipment and they are from assets obtained prior to 1979.

“At no time was this a hazard to the environment. In the case of Talofofo, they’ll also have to do some soil sampling to make sure everything is okay. That’s standard so they can make sure everything is okay,” he said.

The work will take about four or five days and should be completed by June 5.

Meanwhile, other smaller transformers with PCB oil located at a GPA storage location in Dededo will also be drained and cleaned.

PCBs were manufactured in the United States from 1929 until 1979 when their manufacture was banned.

The chemical was used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors and other electrical equipment because of their insulating properties.

However, the chemical was determined to cause skin irritations such as acne and rashes to people who are exposed. Other health hazards may include effects on the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system, and endocrine system.