PCB contamination in and around New Bedford, Mass.

Abstract

The contamination of water and soil in New York, Illinois, Indiana and Massachusetts with PCBs from the manufacture of capacitors is discussed in detail. The fishing town of New Bedford, Massachusetts is said to be extensively contaminated. Recent reports of levels of 90-300 kg discharged from the city wastewater plant, as much as 100,000 ppm in sediments under New Bedford Harbor, and levels in the parts-per-billion range in the water column have served to place New Bedford Harbor on the expanded Superfund listing of the nation's most hazardous sites. Results of two small-scale epidemiological tests show that residents who consume large quantities of fish had blood serum PCB levels ranging from 2 to 343 ppb (measured as Aroclor 1260) with a mean of 36 ppb. Both capicator manufactors have reached agreement with EPA and the Massachusetts DEQE in which the companies accepted the obligation of implementing limited cleanup measures. Sewer pipes have been cleaned and replaced, monitoring wells installed, and asphaltic coverings applied over all exposed soils. A state-funded study prepared in 1981 concluded that 90 percent of the PCBs could be dredged from the harbor at a cost of $140 million.