oil from power line transformer

[rock17]

Lost power sunday night from a strong wind storm and the transformer behind my house was leaking oil that was blown all over my property.The oil got all over my garage, garage roof, wood deck, outdoor furniture, pool and pool cover and probably in the pool, wood fence, yard, patio room and our cars. The power company came out to check it out and the guy (a regular hourly worker like me) verified it was from the transformer and called his boss as how to proceed and he naturally said to wash my cars and that they had a company that did cleanup for this. I washed the cars but I still have spots on the plastic strip that runs around the bottom 12" of the car. My biggest concern is what is the effect that this will have on everything this oil got on. I was told by the power company that it is non toxic mineral oil. I consider my self a pretty reasonable person but I still haven't heard from the power company. What our your thoughts on how to proceed.

 

[rwise]

Re: oil from power line transformer

Pictures, samples, DEQ, EPA
If it is an old transformer it may have PCB's!

 

[gcboat]

Re: oil from power line transformer

I'd be tempted to call my insurance company and let them in the loop. So if necessary to make a claim against them they will have some heads up as to what is going on.
Quite possibly they ( your carrier ) will pay for the cleanup and then file against the power company. Sure would save you a lot of headaches - but I'd really want to know the ramifications if going that route.

 

[Mark42]

Re: oil from power line transformer

I think you should call your insurance agent. Its free, and they can start a claim. If the power company pays without the insurance company contact, then you can cancel the claim, and no cost to you.

 

[Bondo]

Re: oil from power line transformer

Pictures, samples, DEQ, EPA
If it is an old transformer it may have PCB's!

Ayuh,...

Call your insurance Co.
And your Lawyer...

You need to know for Sure the date of manufacture of that thing...
The older 1s are full of PCBs,+ Dioxen...

 

[External Combustion]

Re: oil from power line transformer

I agree that if it is an old pre-ban unit the transformer MAY have PCBs and Dioxen. A US Navy ship MAY have Marines on board. They are about the same odds. The power company should have logs containing the serial number and supplier of the transformer, its maintenance records and a statement of whether the transformer was supplied with PCB or otherwise hazardous oil. If they do not then they are not exercising due diligence and the EPA will have fun with them.

By the way, most of this information is available to the public as a power company almost always goes past the reportable threshold in the amount of hazardous chemicals that are in their transformers. You can get that information by contacting your Local Emergency Planning Commitee. The LEPC is a federally mandated commission that is available everywhere in the 'States. Lack of accurate reporting to the LEPC is a violation of federal law.

Contact your EPA office for the information.

If it is plain old oil, no worries. Just wash off with detergent and go on. Contaminated oil can be a problem though.