The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) has urged the public to refrain from applying transformer oil or any other electrical equipment oil to the body or for any other non-industrial purpose.
Such oils may contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) – toxic chemicals that pose serious risks to human health and the environment.
PCBs are a group of man-made organic chemicals that were largely manufactured between 1929 and 1989 and widely used as coolants in oil containing electrical equipment such as electric transformers and capacitors, hydraulic systems, and other industrial applications.
They were widely used in electrical equipment by energy intensive sectors such as mining, paper and pulp, power generation and distribution, and chemicals, among others.
During engagements with municipalities in 2024, the department noted dangerous misconceptions in some communities, including the belief that transformer oil can be used for treating conditions such as rheumatic arthritis.
“This has led to requests being made to municipal officials for access to transformer oil – some of which can be contaminated with PCBs.
“The DFFE strongly warns against this practice and calls on municipal officials to refrain from supplying transformer oil to members of the public,” the department said on Friday.
Although their production was banned in many countries decades ago due to their toxic effects on human health and the environment, PCBs remain a persistent threat especially in older equipment and contaminated sites.
“Studies have shown that PCBs have a potential to cause a variety of adverse effects on both human health and the environment. They are considered possible human carcinogens and are linked to various health issues including immune, reproductive, neurological, and endocrine system problems,” the department said.
In 2014, South Africa gazetted the Regulations to phase-out the use of PCBs and PCB contaminated materials (PCB Regulations).
“The purpose of which is to prescribe requirements to phase out the use of PCB materials and PCB contaminated materials.
“These regulations enabled the country to move towards the phasing out of PCB materials as sectors of relevance made strides and put efforts towards the phase out targets of the country,” the department said.
Currently, the country is implementing a project to support municipalities to eliminate the use of PCBs in their equipment.
This is aimed at ensuring the country’s compliance to the 2025 deadline set by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). -SAnews.gov.za
