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PCB Waste Treatment Fund |
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This is the program which supports towards realization of early treatment of PCB waste.
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| >> Background to the establishment of the PCB Waste Treatment Fund |
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PCB is an abbreviation of Poly-Chlorinated Biphenyl and is used as a general designation of the polychlorinated biphenyl compound. It has excellent insulation properties(a poor conductor of electricity)and flame resistance, and was therefore widely used for applications including electric equipment such as transformers and capacitors. However, with the occurrence of the Kanemi Oil Disease Case in 1968 (large-scale food poisoning caused by PCB contamination of rice oil during the manufacturing process), its toxicity was revealed as a social problem. Especially, the compound called coplanar PCB has extremely strong toxicity and is one of the substances generally called a dioxins.
The production of PCB was discontinued in 1962, but there was difficulty in arranging a PCB disposal facility and transformers containing PCB have been stored for more than 30 years by the holders. There is a possibility of environmental pollution if this equipment is mislaid, and early disposal of PCB has been urged in international quarters. Since a safer chemical processing method has been developed, the "Law Concerning Special Measure against PCB waste" was legislated, and part of the Japan Environment Corporation Law was revised in 2001. As a result of this legislation, the holders of PCB waste are required to dispose of it by July 17 of 2016, and the Japan Environment Corporation became involved in the implementation of the waste treatment project. ERCA has taken over, and will administer the PCB waste treatment fund among the other functions of the project.
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| >> Mechanism of the PCB waste treatment fund |
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The PCB waste treatment fund consists of subsidies from the national government and prefectural governments, as well as on contributions from related industries in the private sector. This fund subsidizes the waste treatment facility operators specified by the Minister of the Environment. It reduces the burden for PCB treatment costs of small and medium-sized businesses, and supports activities to promote research and training related to PCB waste treatment.
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Copyright, 2004 Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency. All rights Reserved.
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