Transformers polychlorinated biphenyls analysis and waste management in gas companies, case study: Iran

ABSTRACT

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are categorised as a type of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). In developing countries, transformer oils are the major sources of PCB release to the environment. . This study examined the pollution of PCBs from transformers of gas company cathodic protection stations in Qom province, during 2011. The PCBs were measured using the electrochemical method. According to the results, the PCBs concentration of transformers oil was ranged between 0 and 958 ppm. Most stations PCBs concentrations (over 60%) were higher than recommended level (50ppm) enacted by theDepartment of Environment (DOE) of Iran. The results showed that among all cathodic protection stations; 10.4% were in a safe level, 29.2% in precaution level, and 60.4% in dangerous level. ANOVA test presented the significant difference between levels of the PCBs in different stations (P < 0.05). It is recommended that proper and safe waste management strategies for the exposure, transportation, and storage for this type of waste be taken into account.

KEYWORDS:

• Polychlorinated biphenyl
• transformer oil
• waste management
• gas company

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Gas Company of Qom province for their cooperation. Moreover, they wish to appreciate the laboratory of the Iranian Transformer Research Institute (ITRI) for technical support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).