Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of industrial chemicals, highly toxic, used for lubrication/cooling in electrical equipment, such as transformers. Polychlorinated biphenyls are non-flammable, have a low degree of volatility and are relatively stable. PCBs have been used for over 75 years and the first facts concerning their toxicity became known in 1966. Nowadays polychlorinated biphenyls are not produced/imported in most countries, yet significant quantities still exist in old transformers and other electrical equipment. Among the most well-known PCB oils are ASKAREL and SOVTOL.

On February 27th, 1991, Romania joined the Basel Convention regarding toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious and eco-toxic waste. Reducing the hazardous waste production to a minimum is one of the main purposes of the Convention, as well as eliminating those existing and decreasing the circulation degree for these types of waste.

On May 17th, 2004, the Stockholm Convention came into effect. It forbids production and use of some of the most toxic substances to human. Of all the substances released in the environment each year, those of the POP class (Persistent Organic Polluters) – PCBs included, are among the most dangerous ones.

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