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BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF ISSUES
The Region I U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has requested that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provide health consultations assessing properties associated with the General Electric (G.E.) site in Pittsfield, Massachusetts [1]. ATSDR personnel, accompanied by a representative from EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), conducted a site visit on March 13, 1998. The evaluation of sites will be based on information contained in the data packages along with the information acquired during the site visit. This health consultation will only address polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) sampling results from lot J9-16-1 (Hibbard School) in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
EPA provided ATSDR with surface soil (0-to-6-inches) and subsurface soil (various depths) sampling data. Samples were collected primarily from the unpaved perimeter of the school property along Tennyson Avenue and Edison Avenue. In addition, samples were collected from two grass areas on the Newell Street side of the school. The samples were analyzed for PCBs.
Surface soil PCB levels ranged from non-detect to 7.8 parts per million (ppm). Approximately one-half the surface soil samples exceeded 2 ppm. PCB contamination is generally limited to the top six inches of soil.
PCBs are a group of 209 synthetic organic chemicals that have varying levels of toxicity. In humans, long-term exposure to PCBs can effect the skin, liver, reproductive and endocrine systems [2]. While human evidence of PCB carcinogenicity is limited, animal studies provide sufficient evidence. EPA has characterized PCBs as “probable human carcinogens” [2].
Humans are exposed to PCBs through multiple pathways. In addition to the ingestion of soil, water, and inhalation of contaminated air, food serves as a major source of PCB exposure. The potential health threat from environmental PCBs is dependent on factors such as concentration in the media, completed exposure pathways, and frequency of exposure.
At this site, students and children from the surrounding residential areas are likely to come in contact with the surface soil. Exposure would be limited to the top few inches of soil where incidental ingestion of contaminated soil may occur. To a lesser degree, dermal absorption of PCBs may also occur from contact with the soil. The PCB contamination in the soil on this property are at levels that would require frequent long-term exposure (e.g. 30 or more years) to realize a potential health hazard. The contamination is not in a setting where such a scenario for long-term frequent exposure to the soil would occur. Indeed, the contamination is not located in a play area, and in most cases, is limited to a strip of land along the street.
Based on the present site use, this property does not pose a public health hazard.
None.
Timothy Walker, MS
Environmental Health Specialist
Concurred: Richard Canady, PhD, DABT
Senior Toxicologist
- E-Mail request for consultation from Don Berger (EPA Region I) to Suzanne Simon, ATSDR. March 2, 1998.
- ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Polychlorinated Biphenyls.
