The EPA recommends that building owners and managers implement procedures to minimize exposure to potentially contaminated caulk through “best” practices, including:

• Frequent cleaning, wet moping, cleaning air ducts, frequent hand washing, etc.
• Testing peeling, brittle, cracking or deteriorating caulk
• Removing caulk if PCBs are present at significant levels
• Conducting air testing to determine if the airborne PCB levels exceed the EPA’s suggested public health levels 

In addition, the EPA recommends that PCB caulk be removed during planned renovations and repairs (i.e. when replacing windows, doors, roofs, ventilation, etc.).

The EPA regulations currently in place do not require testing for PCBs.  However, the EPA does recommend air testing and sampling for deteriorated caulk as the next step for schools and other building owners that are concerned about potential risks and wish to supplement the protections provided by the EPA’s recommended best practices. The EPA will continue to provide recommendations as more research is conducted. 

The EPA provides the following cost estimation for testing:
Air Analysis: $100 per sample I Caulk Analysis: $100 per sample
 Wipe Analysis: $100 per sample I Soil Analysis: $100 per sample

An assessment of PCBs in caulk in your facility should consist of the following:

• Review of construction/renovation records including MSDS sheets (if available)
• Air and bulk sampling
• Assessing the location and condition of the caulk
• Determining the potential for human exposure to the caulk
• Identification of interim actions to minimize exposure

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