PCB Capacitors in Gasoline Pumps

To gasoline station owners and operators: Please be aware that PCB oil-filled capacitors are contained in some older gasoline pumps. In order to comply with state and federal regulations for proper disposal, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) produced this guideline to ensure gasoline pumps destined for scrap or disposal are checked for capacitors and handled accordingly.

A small capacitor may be dry or oil-filled. A dry capacitor is not hermetically sealed and usually has a porous plug at one end. Dry capacitors may be landfilled. Oil-filled capacitors are usually in metal casings and are hermetically sealed. Oil-filled capacitors manufactured after 1979 may have "no-PCBs" printed on the casing. If, however, it is not marked as such, all oil-filled capacitors are assumed to be PCB and are required to be disposed of in a chemical waste landfill or incinerator.

Carefully dismantle the gasoline pump and check for oil-filled capacitors. When removing a capacitor, please wear eye protection and gloves. Be careful not to puncture the capacitor. Check the casing for leaks or non-PCB status. If it is determined to be PCB, the capacitor should be properly disposed through a permitted PCB waste handler.

Any questions regarding capacitors should be referred to the PCB Program of the CT DEEP at (860) 424-3368, e-mail the PCB Coordinator or write to:

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance
PCB Program
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127

Content Last Updated November 10, 2011