Washington Ecology Offers Funds to Replace Toxic Chemical Lights

WA Ecology Blog

Published February 19th, 2026

Detected February 27th, 2026

Summary

The Washington State Department of Ecology is offering up to $20,000 to schools and daycares to replace old fluorescent light fixtures containing toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This program helps cover inspection, replacement, and disposal costs to mitigate health risks associated with PCB exposure.

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What changed

The Washington State Department of Ecology has launched a program offering financial assistance, up to $20,000 per facility, to schools and daycare centers for the replacement of old fluorescent light fixtures that may contain hazardous polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This initiative aims to address the health risks posed by aging light ballasts, which can leak PCBs, a substance banned in manufacturing since 1979 but still present in older public buildings. The funding covers inspection, the cost of new, energy-efficient lighting, and the proper disposal of the old fixtures by licensed hazardous waste haulers.

Educational institutions and daycare centers identified as having these PCB-containing lights are encouraged to apply for this funding. Interested facilities can contact the program coordinator via email or visit the Ecology website for more information on the PCB light replacement project. This program presents an opportunity for affected facilities to improve indoor air quality and reduce potential health hazards for students and staff, while also upgrading to more energy-efficient lighting solutions.

What to do next

Contact Kimi Matsushima at kimi.matsushima@ecy.wa.gov to inquire about the PCB light replacement program.
Review existing fluorescent light fixtures for potential PCB-containing ballasts.
Explore funding opportunities for upgrading lighting systems to safer, more energy-efficient alternatives.

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Blog > What You Can Do

Ecology offering up to $20K to help replace lights that hide toxic chemicals

Old fluorescent light fixtures in schools and daycares can be harmful to students and staff. In 1979, the U.S. finally took action against the dangers of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), banning the use of PCBs in manufacturing.

Reardan High School’s gym with new fixtures. Ecology’s product replacement program covered costs of replacement, including proper disposal of the old fixtures.

Since then, Washington has worked to identify and remove remaining PCBs from public buildings. This includes older fluorescent lights containing PCBs, commonly found in schools and daycare centers, that increase exposure risk for children and teachers.

With capital funding from the Legislature, we help schools upgrade to newer and more energy efficient lighting. This product replacement project helps cover costs of an inspection, replacement lights, and proper disposal of the old lights through a licensed dangerous waste hauler.

"We’ve already helped the Reardan-Edwall School District transition to safer lighting fixtures,” said Sean Smith, who leads Ecology’s work to implement the product replacement program. “We found and safely removed 30 light ballasts in that one project. We’re eager to help more facilities make the switch.”

The not-so-bright side of old fixtures

PCB exposure is harmful to human health and the environment. Often used in fluorescent lights between 1950 and 1980, PCBs could be in the liquid stored inside the capacitors and ballast casing.

Aging ballast units can be found inside older fluorescent light fixtures. Typically spanning about 6 inches, this dated lighting design depends on PCBs that are stored inside.

Fluorescent light ballasts are rectangular units tucked inside the fixtures that control the current to the bulb. While it’s an important part of the light design, it’s an outdated and dangerous way to build a light. Aging light ballasts release low levels of PCBs and can be even more dangerous if they leak. PCBs stay in the environment a long time and can cause cancer, immune and nervous system problems, and impair growth and development.

Applying for assistance

Our program can reimburse schools and daycare centers up to $20,000 for approved lighting replacement projects, which includes identifying if schools have these dangerous ballasts.

Schools that want to make the switch to safer lighting can:

Email Ecology’s project coordinator directly at kimi.matsushima@ecy.wa.gov.
Learn more about our PCB light replacement project. Making the switch to newer, more efficient LED lighting saves energy and helps make your school and the environment healthier.

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Todd Metrokin

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