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Foreword

Foreword to the 2nd Edition

Building-related PCBs are addressed in two separate SBi Guidelines: SBi Guidelines 241, Survey and Assessment of Building-Related PCBs (Andersen, 2013a) and SBi Guidelines 242, Renovering af bygninger med PCB (Renovating Buildings Containing PCBs) (Andersen, 2013b). These appeared in their first editions in 2013 to respond swiftly to current PCB problems and were written using available knowledge on the subject. Since then, experience using the Guidelines has accumulated and the extent of PCBs in materials and indoor air has been mapped on a national scale (Grontmij & COWI, 2013). Furthermore, the action values for PCB content in indoor air which were stipulated by the Danish Health Authority have since been revised (Danish Health Authority, 2013a).
This 2nd edition of SBi Guidelines 241 includes guidelines on the statutory order on waste, issued by the Ministry of Environment, concerning building-related PCBs. Additionally, the Danish Health Authority and the Danish Working Environment Authority (EPA) have issued updated action values for indoor air.
As for working environment legislation, the Guidelines only cover the use and occupation of buildings with PCB content in the indoor air. The Guidelines do not address the work carried out by skilled workers or PCB remediation measures which carry a risk of PCB exposure. These topics are addressed in SBi Guidelines 242, Renovering af bygninger med PCB (Renovating Buildings Containing PCB) (Andersen, 2013b). This Guideline describes the main elements in a PCB renovation process, feasible remediation methods, and practical aspects of these remediation methods, including health and safety and waste management. SBi Guidelines 242 will appear in a 2nd edition in 2016. Hence, these Guidelines refer to the 1st edition of SBi Guidelines 242.
This book is targeted toward professional clients, consultants, and contractors. Further information can be found in the electronic PCB guide (www.pcb-guiden.dk), which is a cross-ministerial initiative.
The Guidelines and revision are compiled by Helle Vibeke Andersen, senior researcher. From the Danish Building Research Institute (SBi), contributions to the revision process were made by Peter Vogelius (Senior Researcher), Barbara Kolarik, (Senior Researcher), Marie Frederiksen (Postdoc.), Nadja Lyng (PhD Fellow), and Professor Lars Gunnarsen. 
The revisions were monitored by a reference group and the following people offered helpful comments:
  • Anne-Sofie Nielsen and Lisbet Poll Hansen, (The Danish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA))
  • Christian Hauser, (The Danish Building and Property Agency)
  • Claus Lundsgaard, (Skandinavisk Biomedicinsk Institut A/S)
  • Ersün Züfer, (The Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority)
  • Freddy Hansen and Flemming Hansen, (BAT-kartellet)
  • Hanne Ullum, (The Danish Association of Construction Clients (DACC))
  • Henrik L. Hansen, (The Danish Patient Safety Authority)
  • Henrik Toft Nielsen, (Dominia A/S)
  • Hjalte Nordman Bie, (KL – Local Government Denmark)
  • Jette Bjerre Hansen, (DAKOFA)
  • Johnny Christensen, (City of Copenhagen)
  • Katrin Vorkamp, (Aarhus University)
  • Kathrine Birkemark Olesen, (The Danish Technological Institute (DTI))
  • Kim Østergaard, (J. Jensen A/S)
  • Kristoffer Kampmann, (Danish Environmental Analysis ApS)
  • Lars Vedsmand, (COWI A/S)
  • Finn Gamel Christensen og Louise Thorup Mundt, (The Danish Working Environment Authority (WEA))
  • Majbrith Langeland, (Sweco Danmark A/S)
  • Martin Christoffersen, (Permatæt A/S)
  • Morten Walbeck, (Jakon A/S)
  • Niels Trap, (Golder Associates A/S)
  • Olav Kirchhoff, (BL – Danish Social Housing)
  • Peter Kongsted og Brian Møller Larsen, (Tscherning A/S)
  • Richard Kristensen, (Kingo Karlsen A/S)
  • Solvejg Quist, (NIRAS A/S)
  • Thomas Hougaard, (Golder Associates A/S)
  • Torben Trampe, (KAB)
  • Walter Sebastian, (Bygge- og Miljøteknik A/S)
Additionally, several experts offered comments on specific topics. The Danish Building Research Institute would like to thank everyone for their constructive contributions, in particular Erik K. Lauritzen (Lauritzen Advising).
Furthermore, the Danish Building Research Institute would like to thank The Danish Energy Agency, The Danish Environment Protection Agency, The National Building Fund (Denmark), and The Danish Construction Association for their financial support.
The Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, 
Copenhagen Department of Construction and Health
Niels Haldor Bertelsen
Acting Head of Research

Foreword to the 1st Edition

Building-related PCBs are addressed in two SBi Guidelines published simultaneously. This book describes how to test for and assess building-related PCBs. A building may be suspected of having an unhealthy indoor climate due to PCB content in building materials. The requirement to identify PCBs, which is stipulated in the Statutory Order on Waste, might also apply when renovating or demolishing buildings (Ministry of Environment, 2012).
SBi Guidelines 242 describe the primary elements in a PCB-remediation process, feasible remediation methods, and their practical implementation, including health and safety and waste management.
This book targets professional clients, consultants, and contractors. Further information can be found at the following electronic PCB-guide (www. pcb-guiden.dk), which is a cross-ministerial initiative.
  The aim of these publications is to present knowledge regarding the identification of PCBs in buildings and to outline how to plan around and abate PCB problems. The publications are based on experience from the building trade and current research-based knowledge. However, the knowledge base is incomplete and further investigation and research projects are under way. There is currently an acute need for guidance on building-related PCBs, which is why the Danish Building Research Institute has decided to publish their Guidelines based on existing knowledge.
Barbara Kolarik (Senior Researcher), Marie Frederiksen (Postdoc.), Peter Vogelius (Senior Researcher), Nadja Lyng (PhD Fellow), Professor Lars Gunnarsen, and Eva Møller (Senior Researcher), all from the Danish Building Research Institute, have contributed to the revision process.
The publications have been prepared with financial support from the Danish Energy Agency), Landsbyggefonden, and the Danish Construction Association.
The compilation of the Guidelines has been monitored by a reference group consisting of:
  • Anne-Sofie Nielsen, (The Danish EPA)
  • Christian Hauser, (The Danish Building and Property Agency)
  • Claus Lundsgaard, (Skandinavisk Biomedicinsk Institut A/S)
  • Ersün Züfer and Lars Bang-Jensen, (The Danish Transport, Construction and Housing Authority)
  • Finn Gamel Christensen, (Danish Working Environment Authority)
  • Harald Meyer, (Rockwool A/S)
  • Jens Nejrup, (City of Copenhagen)
  • Kathrine Birkemark Olesen, (The Danish Technological Institute (DTI))
  • Kim Østergaard, (J. Jensen A/S)
  • Kristoffer Kampmann, (Danish Environmental Analysis ApS)
  • Lars Vedsmand and Freddy Hansen, (BAT-kartellet)
  • Majbrith Langeland, (Grontmij A/S)
  • Martin Christoffersen, (Permatæt A/S)
  • Martin Nerum Olsen, (Tscherning A/S)
  • Morten Walbeck, (Jakon A/S)
  • Olav Kirchhoff, (BL – Danish Social Housing)
  • Philipp Mayer, (Aarhus University)
  • Richard Kristensen, (Kingo Karlsen A/S)
  • Solvejg Quist, (NIRAS A/S)
  • Søren Meyer, (Grundejernes Investeringsfond)
  • Thomas Hougaard, (Golder Associates A/S)
  • Henrik Bonnesen, (COWI A/S)
  • Torben Trampe, (KAB)
The Danish Building Research Institute would like to thank everyone in the reference group for their invaluable assistance. The draft guidelines were read by and received comments from Walter Sebastian (Technical Consultant, Architect, graduate engineer, Bygge- og Miljøteknik A/S) and were peer-reviewed by Thomas Witterseh (Senior Consultant, PhD., graduate engineer, The Danish Technological Institute (DTI)).
The Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, Department of Construction and Health
June 2013
Niels-Jørgen Aagaard
Head of Research