The existence of hazardous and toxic materials (B3) is basically not limited by a particular environment. This means that B3 can be in any environment, according to the level of human needs and activities. According to Government Regulation no. 74 of 2001, Dangerous and Toxic Materials, hereinafter abbreviated as B3, are materials which, due to their nature and/or concentration and/or quantity, either directly or indirectly, can pollute and/or damage the environment, and/or can endanger the environment, health, sustainability. human life and other living creatures. PCBs are very stable compounds and can pollute the environment and endanger human health because they are carcinogenic. PCBs are most widely used in electrical equipment such as transformers. Restrictions on the use of PCBs are due to impacts on the environment such as bioaccumulation in fish.
In general, the use of PCBs has 3 categories, namely:
1. Closed Application
The use of PCBs in closed applications can be found, among others:
• Transformer
• Capacitors
• Electrical motors
• Electric magnets
2. Semi-closed application
The use of PCBs in this application is a use that is not directly exposed to the environment. However, over time and during the use of Plasticizers to reduce stiffness in continuous polymers, PCBs are periodically exposed to the environment. An example of the use of plasticizer is PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) with the trade name Vinyl.
3. Open Application
The use of PCBs in this application can trigger direct exposure to the environment. One example of this application comes from lubricants and WWTPs (Waste Water Treatment Plants).
The following is the distribution of PCBs in the environment:
Sources of PCBs from various applications produce waste. This waste can be recycled either intentionally or unintentionally. Waste that cannot be recycled will be processed for destruction. Special destruction procedures for transformers, capacitors and dielectric oil are stated in Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. 29 of 2020 concerning Management of Polychlorinated Biphenyls. This entire procedure allows contamination of various aspects such as soil, air, water and food. Figure 2 explains how PCBs are distributed. During the day when the weather is hot, PCBs compounds evaporate into the air and are then carried by the wind so that they move a distance to places with low or cold temperatures. PCBs can also be released into the air by burning waste.
PCBs contamination also comes from the bioaccumulation process. Bioaccumulation is the process of storing substances in the body of an organism. This process increases the concentration of PCBs at each level in the food chain.
Read also: PCBs Food Chain
References:
- https://sib3pop.menlhk.go.id/index.php/dirtydozen/view?slug=pcbs. Diakses pada 15 Mei 2024. 15:00:00 WIB.
- https://p2k.stekom.ac.id/ensiklopedia/Bioakumulasi. Diakses pada 15 Mei 2024. 16:00:00 WIB.
- https://dpu.kulonprogokab.go.id/detil/110/ipal-komunal-untuk-sanitasi-lingkungan-berbasis-masyarakat-yang-efektif#. Diakses pada 15 Mei 2024. 16:05:00 WIB.
- Presiden Republik Indonesia. 2001. Peraturan Pemerintah Republik Indonesia Nomor 74 Tahun 2001 Tentang Pengelolaan Bahan Berbahaya dan Beracun. Jakarta: Presiden Republik Indonesia.
