Waste Site Cleanup & Reuse in New England

PCBs, Health, and the Environment

PCBs and heavy metals, notably cadmium, lead, copper, and chromium, have been identified in sediments, water, and marine life. The major public health risks involve ingesting contaminated seafood from the area. There are also secondary risks due to repeated contact with contaminated sediments. Levels of PCBs in fish and lobsters at the site exceed the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) limit for PCBs in edible seafood. There is an increased risk of cancer and other diseases for people who repeatedly eat PCB-contaminated seafood from the site. Currently, fishing and lobstering is restricted to minimize this risk. The ecological risk to plant or animal life is greatest for bottom-dwelling organisms that have direct contact with contaminated sediments

Posting warning signs, fencing contaminated shoreline areas and dredging the most highly contaminated hot spot sediments have reduced the threats posed by the site while progress towards implementing the remaining cleanup continues.