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Publications
Department of the Environment and Heritage
PCBs are formally known as polychlorinated biphenyls. PCBs have the chemical formula C12H10-nCIn where 'n' is 1-10. They are a family of 209 congeners (chemicals with the same basic structure) where the biphenyl structure has chlorine atoms substituted for hydrogen atoms to varying degrees.
Approximately 100 of these congeners are present in various technical mixtures of PCBs that were produced commercially in large quantities until the late 1970s. PCBs have been used in electrical appliances, such as transformers and capacitors, hydraulic fluids, plasticisers and dye carriers. They are also generated and released into the environment as unintentional by-products of chemical manufacturing and incineration.
PCBs are amongst a broader group of harmful persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are toxic, persist in the environment and animals, bioaccumulate through the food chain, and pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. Because of their physical characteristics, POPs are transported long distances and are often deposited in areas where they have never been used or produced.
PCBs may cause a wide range of harmful health effects in humans and animals, including skin complaints, cancer, liver damage, immune system suppression and damage to the nervous and reproductive systems. PCB contamination may cause mutations in plants, decline in some bird populations and reduced reproduction in sea mammals.
These concerns over the potential risks to health, food chain and environment led to a ban on the importation of PCBs in the 1970s.
The aims of the PCBs Management Plan are the phasing out, disposal and destruction of PCBs. Copies of the Plan are available from the Department of the Environment and Heritage web-site (www.deh.gov.au/industry/chemicals/scheduled-waste/pcbs/index.html).
The importation of PCBs and PCB contaminated/containing equipment to Australia has been banned.
Regulation 4AB under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 prohibits import of PCBs and other chlorinated biphenyls and goods containing these, without the written consent of the Minister for Justice and Customs. In practice, where a request to import prohibited PCBs is received, the Australian Customs Service will seek advice from the Department of the Environment and Heritage and the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS).
In preparing its advice, the Department takes into consideration the overall intent and measures of the PCBs Management Plan. In general, permitting importation would be inconsistent with the aims of the PCBs Management Plan, which provides for the phasing out and disposal of PCBs due to the risk they pose to the environment and human health. The only imports of PCB to date which have been considered appropriate are for research purposes ie as a laboratory standard.
Chemicals Policy Section
Department of the Environment and Heritage
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2600
E-mail: ocp@environment.gov.au
Australian Customs Service
Information: www.customs.gov.au
Telephone: 1300 363 263
Information@customs.gov.au