How to tell if a fluorescent ballast contains PCBs.
Ballasts made before July 2, 1979 may contain PCBs. Ballasts made from 1979 to 1998 without a "No PCBs" label should be treated the same way. This guide shows how to sort them and what the federal rules say next.
EPA advises assuming a ballast contains PCBs unless it is labeled "No PCBs" or you know it was made after 1979. Only T12 magnetic ballasts may contain PCBs. T8 and T5 ballasts may not.
Five ballasts you will find, and how to sort each.
Most buildings hold a mix. Start with the manufacture date and the label, then work down the table. When the answer is unclear, treat the ballast as a PCB ballast.
| Ballast | What EPA says | How to sort it | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made before July 2, 1979 | May contain PCBs. Some EPA pages give July 1 | Treat as a PCB ballast | EPA fact sheet, 2020 |
| Made 1979 to 1998, labeled "No PCBs" | Ballasts without PCBs from this period must carry that label | Sort with the non-PCB ballasts | EPA, PCB ballasts in schools |
| Made 1979 to 1998, no label | Assume PCBs unless known to be made after 1979 | Treat as a PCB ballast | EPA, PCB ballasts in schools |
| T8 or T5 ballast | Only T12 magnetic ballasts may contain PCBs | Sort with the non-PCB ballasts | EPA, PCB ballasts in schools |
| Leaking ballast | PCB bulk product waste, for incineration | Set apart on its own | EPA, PCB ballasts in schools |
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
Sources: EPA, PCB ballasts in schools (archived January 2025); EPA 2020 fact sheet; 40 CFR 761.3. Competitor pages often give 1978 or 1980. The federal text uses July 2, 1979 or a "No PCBs" label. Federal rules shown. States can be stricter. Not legal advice.
Where 40 CFR 761 sends a PCB ballast.
Where the PCBs sit inside the ballast decides the federal path. A small capacitor is treated differently from potting material. Each row names its citation.
An intact, non-leaking ballast can go as municipal solid waste under federal rules, unless you manufacture capacitors. Local bans and liability still apply.
The ballast must go to a TSCA-approved disposal facility, or be handled as bulk product waste or by decontamination. Section 761.3 names these ballasts as bulk product waste.
It is PCB bulk product waste for incineration. A contaminated fixture is PCB remediation waste. Intact lamps from that fixture stay universal waste.
EPA's ballast chart allows up to 30 days for leaking ballasts and up to 180 days for potting at 50 ppm or more.
Disposing of a pound or more of PCBs in 24 hours means notifying the National Response Center. Missouri DNR puts that at roughly 10 to 12 ballasts.
Missouri DNR says landfilling is allowed, with a "high potential of CERCLA liability". Some local rules bar it outright.
Federal rules shown. States can be stricter. Not legal advice. Our ballast recycling page covers the same rules for a retrofit job.
Eight checks before ballasts leave the building.
Run these on every ballast as it comes out of a fixture. They take seconds each and keep unknown units out of the wrong pile.
- Read the manufacture date, if one is printed
- Look for the words "No PCBs" on the label
- Treat unlabeled ballasts as PCB ballasts
- Note which ones came from T12 fixtures
- Set any leaking ballast apart on its own
- Count PCB ballasts for each building
- Keep PCB ballasts out of lamp mail-back boxes
- Keep a recycling record for every job
Sources: EPA, PCB ballasts in schools; 40 CFR 761. We keep pre-1979 and unlabeled ballasts apart from the rest of the load. PCB ballasts do not go in lamp mail-back kits.
What people ask about PCB ballasts.
Short answers, each tied to the sources named above.
How do I know if my ballast has PCBs?
Check the manufacture date and the label. EPA says ballasts made before July 2, 1979 may contain PCBs. Ballasts made from 1979 to 1998 without PCBs must be labeled "No PCBs". If a ballast has no such label, assume it contains PCBs unless you know it was made later.
Do T8 and T5 ballasts contain PCBs?
EPA says only T12 magnetic ballasts may contain PCBs. T8 and T5 ballasts are not on that list. A fixture may still hold an old ballast. Check the label and date on each unit instead of going by tube size.
Can PCB ballasts go in the trash?
Federal rules allow an intact ballast with PCBs only in a small capacitor to go as municipal solid waste. Local rules differ. King County, Washington says no ballast may go to a transfer station, and Ramsey County, Minnesota says PCB ballasts may not go in the trash.
What if a ballast is leaking?
Treat it as PCB waste and keep it apart. EPA calls a leaking ballast PCB bulk product waste for incineration, and a contaminated fixture is PCB remediation waste. Cleanup is cited under 40 CFR 761.125(c)(1). Do not mix it with other ballasts or lamps.
What is a DEHP ballast?
After 1979, some manufacturers used DEHP in ballast capacitors. A 1994 EPA letter says used DEHP in ballasts no longer meets the listing description for U028. Ballast parts can still be hazardous by characteristic, and states can be stricter. Sort DEHP ballasts apart from PCB ballasts.
Can PCB ballasts go in a mail-back box?
No. PCB ballasts do not go in lamp mail-back kits. Lamps can travel in a mail-back box, and PCB ballasts need a separate path. For a retrofit with ballasts, schedule a pickup so lamps, ballasts and batteries leave in one visit.
Why does the date matter so much?
The federal rules key off the manufacture date. EPA says ballasts made before July 2, 1979 may contain PCBs. Under 40 CFR 761.2, a capacitor made before that date is assumed to hold 500 ppm or more of PCBs when its concentration is unknown. Wrong dates online make sorting worse.
What do you do with PCB ballasts you collect?
We keep pre-1979 and unlabeled ballasts apart from the rest of the load. They are sent to a permitted recycler, and you receive a certificate of recycling for every job. We reply with a written quote after you send rough counts.
Have ballasts to sort and remove?
Send rough counts of lamps, ballasts and batteries. We reply with a written quote for scheduled pickup or a mail-back box.