US EPA

2192383 

Journal Article 

Transformer fire, spear street tower, One Market Plaza, San Francisco, California 

Stephens, RD 

1986 

Yes 

Chemosphere
ISSN: 0045-6535
EISSN: 1879-1298 

15 

9-12 

1281-1289 

English 

10.1016/0045-6535(86)90402-9 

WOS:A1986E850100028 

Air and surface sampling results after a fire in a transformer containing polychlorinated-biphenyl (1336363) (PCB) were reported. On May 15, 1983, a fire occurred in a transformer vault in the second basement of One Market Plaza, San Francisco, and some of the PCB-1242 coolant liquid leaked from the transformer and was apparently vaporized by the heat of the fire. The California Department of Health Services was requested to recommend health based criteria for PCB, dibenzofuran, and dioxin levels which would allow reoccupancy of the building. Twenty air sampling and 20 wipe sampling locations were selected, representing decontaminated areas of the transformer vault, basements and several floors of the building. Air levels of chlorodioxins ranged from below detection limits (1 to 2 picograms/cubic meter (picog/m3)) up to 32 picog/m3 on the seventh floor. Chlorofurans were more prevalent, ranging up to almost 60 picog/m3. Only isomer class (congener) quantitation was done, with the exception of 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (1746016). The building was ordered reoccupied by the San Francisco Department of Public Health in July 1984. Concentrations of contaminants were expected to decrease with time. Follow up monitoring was carried out in September 1984.