[jimpascale]

Hello All,
I just moved into a new home. Our garage has fluorescent light fixtures on the ceiling. One of the fixtures wasn't working. I noticed a broken tombstone & changed it out - it still didn't work. I took the fixture down & apart & discovered some grisly details - the ballast - I guess that's what it's called - was oozing black stuff. A link to some photos is below.
A quick Google search suggests this may be dangerous PCB's - I'm not sure. I don't have a will - should I make one up asap?

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/w820jnjh1dvquzo/AAAUkEwqwV4G22_DdlaTD6gSa?oref=e&n=519340264

 

[rjniles]

Trash it and buy a new T8 fixture. Don't worry about PCBs, it is not an air born pollutant.

 

[circuitman]

i don't belive there are any PCBS in the tar just the capacitor. i would replace the ballast with a new one, because this one is on it's last leg.then dispose of the bad one.:biggrin2::biggrin2:

 

[rjniles]

Ballasts made before 1978 did indeed contain PCBs. It was banned after that date and the label on the ballast must state that it contains PCBs. No label probably means that it contains no PCBs.

Still I would not worry about it.

 

[joed]

common occurrence. Just clean it with varsol or paint thinner. Replace the ballast. I would go with a new T8 ballast. Rewire the tombstones to the drawing on the new ballast. It will not be the same as what is there now.

 

[Know A Little]

common occurrence. Just clean it with varsol or paint thinner. Replace the ballast. I would go with a new T8 ballast. Rewire the tombstones to the drawing on the new ballast. It will not be the same as what is there now.

Or you could involve your state EPA and watch you bank account go to zero and possibly worse, only to find out the ballast did not contain PCB's. Do as was noted above.