A substance that puts people’s health at risk and also contaminates the environment remains silently present in many cities across Brazil. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), also known as askarel, was formerly used by industry in equipment such as electrical insulators.
Because it is an oily liquid with properties including heat absorption and even bactericidal effects, PCB was widely used in the construction of equipment, such as power transmission devices. With scientific advances, it has been proven that its use is not safe.
On this National Day to Combat Pollution (14), the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) announced an investment of R$ 30 million in financial support for the safe elimination of contaminated equipment. The funds will finance the services of licensed companies to treat and properly dispose of the substance.
According to Thaiane Resende, director of Environmental Quality at the MMA, polychlorinated biphenyls are highly toxic and classified as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). For this reason, they were banned worldwide by the Stockholm Convention.
“They represent a threat to the environment and human health, potentially causing diseases such as cancer, neurological problems, hormonal disorders, and fetal malformations,” warns Thaiane Resende.
In addition to being a signatory to the Stockholm Convention, an international treaty to protect human health and the environment from harmful chemical substances, Brazil also has legislation that sets deadlines and obligations for the elimination of polychlorinated biphenyl.
Disposal
Thaiane Resende explains that the difficulty lies in the disposal of contaminated equipment, which may be found in companies and institutions in the electricity sector, industry, commerce, and even the public sector.
“According to the report of holders from the National PCB Inventory (Sinir/PCB), by July 2025, Brazil still has more than 500,000 tons of PCB-contaminated material to dispose of,” says the director.
The data refer to the contamination identification phase, which under the Stockholm Convention should have been completed by November 2024. The deadline for environmentally sound elimination of the substance extends until 2028.
To assist managers and businesspeople in identifying and properly disposing of contaminated equipment, the MMA created the Responsible PCB Project, which provides all necessary information online on how to proceed after identifying the substance.
“That page lists licensed disposal companies and project partners that can properly eliminate equipment and residues contaminated with PCBs,” explains the manager.
Financial Support
After identification and registration in the National PCB Inventory, companies and institutions with contaminated equipment must contact one of the licensed PCB disposal companies directly and prepare the necessary documentation.
According to the MMA, payments will range from R$ 1,200 to R$ 3,200 per ton of contaminated material, depending on the treatment and collection region. “This way, the company maintains legal compliance, avoids penalties, and strengthens its socio-environmental responsibility,” concludes Thaiane Resende.
Source: Agência Brasil