-------
77
Table 2.4-7
Concentrations of PCBs in Selected Sanples
from the Gulf of Mexico, 1973-74
Station
7
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
Biota
(ppb)
20
11
22
23
37
14
6
11
94
68
Water
(ppt)
4.1
2.1
1.7
1.7
2.1
2.4
1.3
0.8
2.7
Sediment
(Ppb)
<0.2
35.0
33.0
<0.2
<0.2
<0.2
amjl^^
SOURCE: Giam, C.S., J.S. Chan, J.P. Kakareka and G.S. Neff, Trace
Analyses of Phthalates and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Gulf
of Mexico Samples.
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78
2.4.4 California
According to Horn and Risebrough1 "* PCBs have become a significant
component of the marine food webs of southern California. They have
been associated with a high incidence of premature births among sea
lions and eggshell thinning with consequent reproductive failure in
fish-eating birds.
One study collected different levels of sediment from the Santa
Barbara Basin.l** The dated and analyzed sediments indicated that the
deposition of PCB's began about 1945 probably as a result of the rapid
increase in FCB use as electrical insulating fluids and paint additives
during World War II. Through 1967 there was no indication of a leveling
off in the rate of PCS deposition. Levels in the 1940-1945 layer
were 31 ppb increasing to 49 ppb in the 1947-1952 layer. 66 ppb in
the 1955-1960 layer and 103 ppb in the 1962-1967 layer.1"
Risebrough23 has suggested that the observation of PCB's in the sea
indicate that they are dispersed by wind currents. Table 2.4-8 shows
the distribution of PCB residues in several collections of marine fish
collected from the Coastal waters of southern California in late 1965
and early 1966 and in marine birds collected in'late 1966. Note that
the levels in the birds 0.08-109 ppm were higher than those in fish,
N.D.-1.2 ppm. Petrels and shearwaters breed on remote islands spending
their entire lives at sea. They do not dive for fish but feed primarily
upon organisms obtained at or near the surface where aerial fallout
could be expected to retain temporally the water-insoluble chlorinated
hydrocarbons components. Two Peregrine Falcons showed PCB levels
ranging from 1.5 ppm, net weight, in the brain of an immature bird
to 1,980 ppm lipid weight in the carcass of an adult bird.
Analyses of Western gull eggs22 show that eggs from San Francisco
Bay, with levels from 24-950 ppm contained more PCB's than eggs from
the Farallon Islands 27 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge with
levels from 12-1010 ppm. These were both higher than eggs from Baja
California where the levels were 1.2-471 ppm.
Concern over reproductive failure of the Double Crested Cormorant
led to a study in 1969 of Cormorant eggs from three locations in
southern California. The levels identified ranged from 12-1,100 ppm
in the yolk lipids.10 A similar concern also led to a study of Brown
Pelicans on Anacapa Island in May 1969. Fat samples from six adult
birds and one immature bird ranged from 77 to 366 mg/gm.*s
Early data collected by Munson19 in 1970 from San Diego and Orange
Counties showed levels in aquatic biota ranging from <2.0 to 8.8 ppm
lipid weight (N.D. - 1.0 wet weight) in San Diego and 0.62 - 38 ppm
lipid weight (0.008 to 1.4 wet weight) from Orange County. However,
the difference in residue levels may be due to a different type of
uptake mechanism since the samples from Orange County were invertebrates
while those from San Diego were fish.
-------
79
In addition to the studies of Double Crested Cormorants and Brown
Pelicans, Faber et. al.1* studied Common Egrets and Great Blue Herons. The
PCS levels ranged up to 15 ppm in the brain and 93. ppm in the livers of
adult egrets from the Audubon Canyon Ranch. Fish which the birds
might feed on from Bolinas Lagoon showed levels from 0.072-0.079 ppm.
In order to assess the potential contamination from chlorinated
hydrocarbons the U.S. Geological Survey initiated a study in February
1972 of the San Francisco Bay. Bottom material was collected from 26
streams that discharge into San Francisco Bay. The results of the
analyses are given in Figure 2.4-4 illustrating the widespread
distribution of PCB's in the San Francisco Bay area. The readings
from Steven Creek of 180 ppb and from Alamitos Creek, of 610 ppb
were higher than anticipated since neither area had any apparent
industrial or commercial development. Despite the extreme range up to 1400
ppb there was no significant difference between the average residue of
streams discharging into the Bay south of San Francisco and those
discharging into the Bay north of San Francisco.15
Studies of Waste Water Treatment Plants in the Southern California
area will be presented in Section 2.5.3.4.
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80
Table 2.4-8
Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCS) Residues
in Marine Fish and Marine Birds, 1965-1966
Species
Locality, PCS
Northern Anchovy
Terminal Island 1.0
Shiner Perch
San Francisco Bay 0.4-1.2
English Sole
San Francisco Bay 0.05-0.11
Monterey 0.04
Jack Mackerel
Channel Islands 0.02
Hake
Puget Sound 0.16
Channel Islands 0.12
Bluefin Tuna
Body muscle 0.04
Liver 0.04
Yellowfin Tuna
Liver 0.04
Skipjack Tuna
Liver • 0.1
Gassings Auklet . 0.16
Ancient Murrelet 0.15
Fulmar . 0.08
Fulmar 0.34
Red Phalarope 0.10
Rhinoceros Auklet 0.36
Slender-billed Shearwater 2.1
Sooty Shearwater 1.2
Sooty Shearwater 0.9
Peregrine Falcon
Breast muscle, second year
Female, migrant from Artie 22
Breast muscle, immature
California 10.5
Breast muscle, adult
female, California 109
SOURCE: Risebrough, R.W., Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Marine Ecosystems,
-------
81
*PPB OF OVEN-DRIED STREAM BED
MATERIA^ UNCORRECTED FOR
PERCENT RECOVERY
O LOW VALUE OF RANGE
C HIGH VALUE OF RANGE
FIGURE 2.4-4 PCB'S IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA STREAM BEDS
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82
2.4.5 Escambia Bay, Florida
The first detection of Aroclor 1254 residues in Escambia Bay was in
oysters in April 1969.3 Later sampling also showed residues in water,
sediment, fish, blue crabs and shrimp as indicated in Table 2.4-9.
One source was apparently an industrial outfall which had had accidental
leakage of a heat exchange fluid. Fish, shrimp and crabs contained
higher concentrations than oysters but are also more mobile and therefore
not as useful as monitors for a particular area.
Figure 2.4-5 identifies the sampling locations (stations 1-7).
Less than 0.1 ppb occurred in the water at station 2 but it
was not detected in lower bay water. Leaching from sediments is presumably
the cause of the continued presence of Aroclor 1254 in the river water.
Sediment samples taken near the outfall reached 486 ppm in August 1969.3
Pink shrimp collected at the same time from the bay were found to
contain whole body residues of Aroclor 1254 as high as 14 ppm.2 ° Residues
in seven composite samples of at least five shrimp ranged from 0.6 to
120.0 ppm. Fiddler crabs collected in April 1970 from the lower Escambia
River and Upper Escambia Bay had individual whole body residues of 0.45
to 1.5 ppm.
The largest accumulations were found in the sediments with the
maximum residue of 61 ppm observed in the River at the outfall from the
industry. The maximum in the Bay of 30 ppm was found near the mouth of
the river. Although Aroclor was not detected in sediments collected •
above the plant, soil samples from the bank near the mouth of the river
downstream from the source 6.5 km had 1.4 to 1.7 ppm. Subsequent samplings
from three stations in the bay showed little change in the chemical even
after nine months. Table 2.4-9 shows the levels identified for these
sediment collections as stations 8-20.20
The amount of PCS in sediment samples appeared to decrease after
the initial February 1970 survey.21 , The decrease is especially noticeable
in December 1970 and October 1971. In general, the residues identified
in 1971 were about one-tenth the 1970 values. Cores taken in a 1972
survey generally indicated less PCS than in 1971. Table 2.4-:9
identifies the readings taken for these three years as stations 21-23.
Later surveys of biota from the estuary showed levels to remain
relatively high. Table 2.4-10 compares residues in the same species or
those occupying similar trophic levels captured on the same day in
Escambia and East Bays; the East Bay site being about 35 kilometers from
the original source of the material. Although sand seatrout and Atlantic
cutlassfish could be expected to have the highest residues since they
are predators the highest levels were actually found in silversides
whose diet consists mainly of plankton. Note also that the concentrations
in species from Escambia Bay were 5 to 10 times greater than those found
in East Bay but that Aroclor 1254 was found even in species captured distant
from the original source of PCS.21
-------
83
EAST BAY
FIGURE 2.4-5 ESCAMBIA BAY SAMPLING STATIONS
-------
84
Table 2.4-3
Residues of Aroclor 1254 in Samples from Escambia Bay and River
Residues of Aroclor 1254 (ppm)
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
4
1
2
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Sample
Speckled trout
Flounder liver
Menhaden
Menhaden
Menhaden
Flounder liver
Flounder muscle
Flounder gills
Croaker
Pinfish
Shrimp
Blue crab
Blue crab
Shrimp
Blue crab
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment
Sediment 0-2 in.
Sediment 2-4 in.
Sediment 4-6 in.
Sediment 6-8 in.
Sediment 0-2 in.
Sediment 2-4 in.
Sediment 4-6 in.
Sediment 6-8 in.
Sediment 8-10 in.
Sediment 10-12 in.
Sediment 0-2 in.
Sediment 2-4- in.
Sediment 4-6 in.
Sediment 6-8 in.
1969
20.0
184.0
5.7
11.0
12.0
76.0
4.5
19.0
12.0
10.0
2.5
7.0
6.3
1.5
1.0
486
<.03
1.7
1970
N.D.
61.0
5.7
4.1
1.9
1.8
30.0
4.2
3.3
4.9
0.6
2.5
1.4
78.0
30.0
6.1
0.4
10.0
11.0
15.0
20.0
18.0
1.2
0.19
0.08
0.02
N.D.
1971 1972
8.1 0.97
0.12 5.8
N.D.
N.D. -
0.91 0.14
N.D. N.D.
N.D. N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
0.19
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
SOURCE: Nimmo, D.R., D.J. Hansen, J.A. Couch, N.R. Cooley, P.R. Parrish
and J.I. Lowe, Toxicity of Aroclor 1254 and its Physiological
Activity in Several Estuarine Organisms, (unpublished).
-------
85
Table 2.4-10
Comparison of Concentrations of Aroclor 1254 Found in
Species Collected in Escambia and East Bays
Species
Spartina
Zostera
Olive Nerite
Rangia
Penaeid Shrimp
Blue Crabs
Bay Anchovy
Catfish
Tidewater Silversides
Silver Perch
Sand Seatrout
Spotted Seatrout
Spot
Atlantic Croaker
Hogchoker
Atlantic Cutlassfish
Escambia Bay
(ppm)
N.D.
N.D.
0.49
N.D.
0.98
6.90
3.00
3.80
10.00
4.50
1.50
1.80
1.60
1.30
2.90
East Bay
(ppm)
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
N.D.
Trace
0.46
SOURCE: Nimmo, D.R., D.J. Hansen, J.A. Couch, N.R. Cooley, P.R. Parrish
and J.I. Lowe, Toxicity of Aroclor 1254 and its Physiological
Activity in Several Estuarine Organisms, (unpublished).
-------
86
REFERENCES, Section 2.4
1. Bidleman, R.F. and C.E. Olney, Science, 184, 516-518, (Feb. 8, 1974).
2. Blus, L.J., A.A. Belisle and R.M. Prouty, Pesticides Monitoring
Journal, 7., 181-194, (March 1974).
3. Duke, R.W., J.J. Lose and A.J. Wilson Jr., Bulletin of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology, _5, 171-180, (1970).
4. Faber, R.A., R.W. Risebrough and H.M. Pratt, Environmental Pollution,
3., 111-122, (1972).
5. Gaskin, D.E., Nature, 233. 499-500, (Oct. 15, 1971).
6. Giam, C.S., J.S. Chan, J.P. Kakareka and G.S. Neff, Trace Analyses
of Phthalates and Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Gulf of Mexico
Samples.
7. Giam, C.S., A.R. Hanks, R.L. Richardson, W.M. Sackett and M.K. Wong,
Pesticides Monitoring Journal, 6_, 139-143, (Dec. 1972).
8. Giam, C.S., R.L. Richardson, D. Taylor and M.K. Wong, Bulletin of
Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 11, 189-192, (1974).
9. Giam, C.S., M.K. Wong, A.R. Hanks, W.M. Sackett and R.L. Richardson,
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 9_,
376-382, (1973).
10. Gress, F., R.W. Risebrough, D.W. Anderson, L.F. Kiff and F.R. Jehl Jr.,
The Wilson Bulletin, 85_, 197-208, (June 1973).
11. Harvey, G.R., and W.G. Steinhauer, Atmospheric Environment, j3,
777-782, (1974).
12. Harvey, G.R., Steinhauer, W.G. and J.P. Miklos, Nature, 252,
387-388, (Nov. 29, 1974).
13. Harvey, G.R., W.G. Steinhauer and J.M. Teal, Science, 180,
643-644, (May 11, 1973).
14. Horn, W., R.W. Risebrough, A. Soutar and D.R. Young, Science,
184. 1197-1199, (June 14, 1974).
15. Keith, J.O., L.A. Woods Jr., and E.G. Hunt, Transactions of the
North American Wildlife Conference, 35_, 56-63, (1970).
16. L.M., Law, and D.F. Goerlitz, Pesticides Monitoring Journal, 8,
33-36, (June 1974).
17. Longhurst, A.R., and P.J. Radford, Nature, 256, 239-240, (July 17, 1975),
-------
87
18. Markin, G.P., J.C. Hawthorne, J.L. Collins, and J.H. Ford,
Pesticides Monitoring Journal, _7, 139-143, (March 1974).
19. Munson, T.O., Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology,
]_, 223-228 (1972).
20. Nimmo, D.R., P.D. Wilson, R.R. Blackman and A.J. Wilson Jr.,
Nature, 231, 50-52, (May 7, 1971).
21. Nimmo, D.R., D.J. Hansen, J.A. Couch, N.R. Cooley, P.R. Parrish
and J.I. Lowe, Toxicity of Aroclor 1254 and its Physiological
Activity in Several Estuarine Organisms, (unpublished).
22. Risebrough, R.W., Chlorinated Hydrocarbons in Marine Ecosystems.
23. Risebrough, R.W. and V. Brodine, Environment, 12,, 16-27,
(January-February 1970).
24. Zitko, V., 0, Hutzinger and P.M.K. Choi, Environmental Health
Perspectives, 47-50, (April 1972).
25. Zitko, V., and P.M.K.,. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and
Toxicology, 7, 63-64, (1972).
-------
88
2.5 Sata from Localized Monitoring Efforts Industrial Plants,
Products, Sewage Treatment Facilities and Landfills
2.5.1 Industrial Plants
.5.1.1 Monsanto Co., Sauget, Illinois
The only PCB production facility in the United States is the Monsanto
plant at Sauget, Illinois which has produced PCB mixtures ranging from
20 to 68 percent chlorine. Polychlorinated terphenyls have been produced
at this facility, but production was suspended in 1971.
Soil contamination studies7 were initiated in February 1976. The
sampling locations around the Monsanto facility are identified in Figure
2.5-1. The levels of Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1260 and decachlorobiphenyl
found at these sampling sites are listed in Table 2.5-1. The distri-
bution of all PCBs analyzed appears to be higher near the plant site and
generally decreasing with distance from the site. There is some evidence
that higher concentrations are present in the soils located to the
southeast which corresponds with the predominant wind direction in this
area.
A typical chromatogram of a soil sample obtained near the plant is
shown in Figure 2.5-2 along with the reference chromatograms of Aroclor
1242 and 1260 run under the same instrument conditions. Using these
reference spectra, this sample contains 11 ppm Aroclor 1242, 9.3 ppm
Aroclor 1260 and 1.0 ppm decachlorobiphenyl.
All PCB measurements were made using a Varian Model 2760 electron
capture gas chromatograph with a 1.8m glass column operated at 200°C.
The column had a 3mm Id and was packed with 1.5/1.95% OV-17/WF-1
on chrom W-HP, 80/100 mesh support. The flow rate was 68 ml/min
with an inlet pressure of N_ at 38psig.
-------
89
Table 2.5-1
PCS Levels in Soils, ppm, Monsanto
Sample Station Aroclor 1260 Aroclor 1242 Decachlorobiphenyl Total PCS
1 0.05 <0.01 0.097 0.147
2 0.12 <0.01 0.61 0.73
3 1.4 <0.01 0.90 2.3
4 0.31 0.68 0.38 1.37
5 0.20 <0.01 0.27 0.47
6 1.3 0.82 1.6 3.72
7 2.9 3.0 1.3 7.2
8 9.6 6.1 2.4 ' 18.1
9 0.65 <0.01 0.12 7.7
10 0.28 0.45 0.081 0.811
11 0.10 <0.01 0.049 0.145
12 0.26 <0.01 0.081 0.341
13 9.6 10.0 1.1 20.7
14 0.03 <0.01 0.40 0.43
15 0.39 0.46 0.12 0.97
SOURCE: Unpublished Report, Contract 68-01-2978, USEPA, Office of Toxic
Substances; July 1975
-------
FIGURE 2.5-1 SAP^IPUNG LOCATIONS, MONSANTO
-------
91
(a) AROCLOR 1242
(b) DECACHLOROBIPHENYL
I U
I
(c) AROCLOR 1260
(d) SOIL EXTRACT
75 MIN
FIGURE 2.5-2 TYPICAL CHROMATOGRAMS OF STANDARD AROCLORS.
DECACHLOROBiPHENYL AMD A SOIL SAMPLE TAKEN
IN THE VICINITY OF MONSANTO CO., SAUGET, ILLINOIS
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92
2.5.1.2 Yates Manufacturing Co., Chicago, Illinois
The Yates Manufacturing Co. is an investment casting wax manufac-
turer. Prior to 1972, Aroclors 5460, 6090 and 5442, mixtures that
contain both PCBs and polychlorinated terphenyls, were used. Subsequent
to 1972, this company has been purchasing decachlorobiphenyl from foreign
sources.
Soil contamination studies7 were initiated in February 1976. The
sampling locations around the Yates facility used to study soil con-
tamination are identified in Figure 2.5-3. The concentration levels of
Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1260 and decachlorobiphenyl found at these sampling
sites are listed in Table 2.5-2.
Table 2.5-2
PCS Levels in Soils, ppm, Yates Manufacturing
Sample Location Aroclor 1260 Decachlorobiphenyl Total PCS
1 0.22 . <0.001 0.22
2 0.24 0.053 0.293
3 0.31 0.033 0.113
4 0.34 0.19 0.53
5 0.51 0.58 1.09
6 0.40 1.2 1.6
7 0.26 - 0.51 0.77
8 1.5 0.75 2.25
9 0.57 0.040 0.61
10 0.67 0.020 0.69
11- 1.6 3.6 5.2
12 0.29 0.001 0.291
13 0.56 0.034 0.594
14 1.8 < 0.001 1.8
SOURCE: Unpublished Report, Contract 68-01-2978, USEPA, Office of
Toxic Substances; July 1975
-------
CYATES MFG. CO.
S
10/~ LJ I r* a
*C H I C 1
l IRP 7 e;.^ «AMPf IM«7 I nr ATIHMC VATCC A/I A Ml ICAPTf
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94
2.5.1.3 Valcast Corp., Troy, Michigan
Valcast Corp. is an investment casting facility located in a small
industrial park in suburban Detroit, Michigan. PCBs are a constituent
of the wax mold compound used to fashion intricate shapes which are to
be cast.
Soil contamination studies7 were initiated in February 1976. The
sampling locations around the Valcast facility are identified in Figure
2.5-4. The concentration levels of Aroclor 1260 and 1242 found at
these sampling sites are listed in Table 2.5-3.
Figure 2.5-5 is a typical chromatogram of a soil sample extract
taken from this location. Aroclor 1260 was present in many of the soil
samples taken from the Valcast area, but decachlorobiphenyl was absent.
The one observed concentration of 18 ppm of Aroclor 1242 appears to be
anomalously high, however, replicate analysis yielded values of 16 ppm
and 19 ppm, respectively. Aroclor 1242 was not detected in any other
soil samples from this area.
All FCB measurements were made using a Varian Model 2760 electron
capture gas chromatograph with a"1.8m glass column operated at 200°C.
The column had a 3mm Id and was packed with 1.5/1.95% OV-17/WF-1
on chrom W-HP, 80/100 mesh support. The flow rate was 68 ml/min
with an inlet pressure of N,_ at 38psig.
A small drainage ditch that passes adjacent to the north boundary
of the Valcast facility was sampled. This ditch serves to remove storm-
water runoff in the vicinity and receives discharged cooling water from
Valcast and other local small industies. Analysis of the Valcast cooling
water at the point of discharge and of water in the drainage ditch
failed to detect PCS levels greater than the detection limit of 0.1 ppb
Two bottom sediment samples taken from this drainage ditch, however, had
concentrations as follows:
Aroclor 1242 2.3 ppm 9.4 ppm
Aroclor 1260 6.7 ppm 8.9 ppm
Decachlorobiphenyl 0.09 ppm 0.11 ppm.
-------
95
Table 2.5-3
PCS Levels in Soils, ppm, Valcast
Sample Station Aroclor 1260 Aroclor 1242
1' <0.01
2 . <0.01 18.0
3 -0.04
4 0.06
5 0.05
6 0.04
7 0.14
8 0.07
9 <0.01
10 0.12
11 < 0.01
12 0.12
13 0.03
14 , <0.01
15 0.03
16 0.02
SOURCE: Unpublished Report, Contract 68-01-2978, USEPA, Office of
Toxic Substances; July 1975
-------
MACOMB
COUNTY
» .s is* *>0H
* »sio-^r-**• »'
I II
14
J
H? 3 13 ,-
I? » 2 '"
•P* * XSJ,
al» a TT 5« __
* *s*
STEHL1NQ HEIGHTS
MADISON HEIGHTS
FIGURE 2.5-4 SAMPLING LOCATIONS, VALCAST
-------
97
to
f-x
LO
I I
i
1-0
UJ —••
in
,oc
-J ,
CD
u.
-------
98
2.5.1.4 General Electric, Hudson Falls - Ft. Edward, N.Y.
The General Electric Plants at Hudson Falls and Ft. Edward use
large quantities of PCB's for filling capacitors and transformers. Both
plants have chemical waste treatment facilities, but, significant PCS
and oil/grease levels are discharged by the waste stream. The NPDES
Permit Application lists:
Daily Average
Concentration Average Daily Maximum Daily
Outfall ppm Loading (Ibs.) Loading (Ibs.)
Location Oil/Grease PCB Oil/Grease PCS Oil/Grease PCB
Hudson Falls 13.7 .5 239.8 10.0 250.9 17.6
Hudson Falls 2.1 4.9 5.25
Ft. Edward 8.9 5.0 38.27 20.0 44.5 30.0
In the summer of 1974, EPA Region II initiated a sampling program
in the general vicinity of the General Electric plants.2 The five
sampling stations established for this program are shown in Figure 2.5-6.
Station 0 is upstream from the plants and serves as the control
station; station 1 is located at the junction of the outfall stream from
the Ft. Edward facility and the Hudson River, station 2 is located about
0.25 miles downstream from the outfall junction, station 3 is about 0.5
miles downstream from station 1, and station 4 is located about 0.75
miles downstream from station 1.
Samples collected included sediment, water, fish and snails; Ar-
dors identified included 1016, 1254, 1248 and 1242. The levels found
at each sampling location are listed in Table 2.5-4.
PCB's identified as Aroclor 1016 were conclusively identified in
the water samples at detectable concentrations at all sampling locations
except Station 0 (control) and station 4, the furthest downstream.
At all stations the sediments contained higher concentrations of
Aroclor 1016 than the water column resulting from adsorption of PCB's on
suspended or already settled materials.
The biological samples collected at station 0 contained PCB's
characteristic of Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1248. Distinctly different
from the samples at station 0 were the samples collected in the vicinity
of or below the General Electric discharge. Fish data from these areas
suggests that Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1016, or a mixture of these two
formulations are present in the Hudson. There are no distinguishing
features which can reliably determine whether the mixture is Aroclor
1016 or 1242 at this time.
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99
Table 2.5-4
Environmental PCS Levels from the General Electric,
Hudson Falls - Ft. Edward N.Y. Area
Media
Aroclor
Station
0
1
2
3
4
Water (ppb)
1016
2800
2.2
3.0
<1.0
Sediment (ppm)
1016
6.9
6700
540
2980
6.6
Fish (ppm)
1254 1248 1242
4.0 13.0
45a
350b
78°
27a
aSnails (composite)
bRock Bass
GShiner Minnows
SOURCE: Nadeau R.J., and R.P. Davis, Investigation of Polychlorinated
Biphenyls in The Hudson River, USEPA Region II.
-------
100
STATION 0 (CONTROL)
VILLAGE OF HUDSON FALLS
SHOAL
VILLAGE OF FT EDWARD
FIGURE 2.5-6 MAP OF HUDSON FALLS-FT. EDWARD, NEW YORK. NOTE LOCATION
OF SAMPLING STATIONS RELATIVE TO GENERAL ELECTRIC FACILITIES.
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101
2.5.2 Sewage Treatment Facilities
2.5.2.1 Illinois
An early study8 of discharges into Lake Michigan was conducted by
the state of Illinois in 1970-1972 from locations as shown in Figure
2.5-7. Only two counties in Illinois border on the lake and all
sewage treatment plant effluents and tributary stream sources enter
the lake from Lake County. In most cases, sewage treatment plant
effluents had higher concentrations of PCB's than the tributary streams.
PCB's were not measured in 1970; however, in 1971, 37 sediment
samples were collected from tributary streams and ravines in Lake County
and at stations offshore from Lake and Cook counties and analyzed for
PCB's. The lake samples were collected 40 to 80 yards offshore from
seven North Shore Sanitary District sewage treatment plants and at
stations approximately one to three miles offshore. Aroclor 1242
in tributary sediments ranged up to 553 ppb in an unnamed channel in-
Waukegan and Aroclor 1254 ranged from 1.54 to 232.00 ppb in Pettibone
Creek in North Chicago. Samples from open water sediments had
Aroclor 1242 concentrations ranging up to 106.07 ppb. The highest
level was found 40-80 yards offshore from the North Shore Sanitary
District sewage treatment plant at North Chicago. Aroclor 1254
concentrations ranged from 2.48 to 46.92 ppb. Selected values are
given in Table 2.5-5.
Water samples were collected in both 1971 and 1972 at the tributary
streams -and sewage treatment plants. Aroclor 1242 and 1254 ranged from
14.00-1810.0 ppt and 192.0-388.0 ppt in 1971 respectively and up to
653.0 ppt for Aroclor 1242 and 61.0 to 841.0 ppt for Aroclor 1254
in 1972 in tributary streams. However, in samples from sewage
treatment plants Aroclor 1242 concentrations ranged from 268.0-4020.0 ppt
in 1971 and up to 21.0 ppt in 1972. Aroclor 1254 concentrations
ranged from 139.0-568.0 ppt in 1971 and from 97.0 to 178.0 ppt in
1972. The highest readings were from the North Shore Sanitary District
at Waukegan in 1971. Table 2.5-6 presents the levels identified in
water samples from Illinois Streams and Sewage Plants Tributary to
Lake Michigan.
-------
102
WISCONSIN
ILLINOIS
WINTHROP HARBOR
• 4 MILE STATION
NSSO WAUKEGAN STP
WAUKEHANRIVER.! WAUKEGAN WFP'
-J NSSD NORTH CHICAGO STP
7 •/ NORTH CHICAGO WFP
PETT1FONE CREEK •!
,10
SCALE IN MILES
\5
•I NSSD LAKE BLUFF ST."
LAKE FOREST STP
', LAKE MICHIGAN
NSSD HIGHLAND PARK @ PARK AVE. STP
HIGHLAND PARK WFP "A NSSD HIGHLAND PARK ® RAVINE DRIVE STP
E°Jf!L1!Y *\ NSSD HIGHLAND PARK @ GARY AVE. STP
COOK COUNTY
!3
.4 MILE STATION
CHICAGO CENTRAL WFP
4 MILE STATION
r;
CHICAGO SOUTH WFP •*
FIGURE 2,5-7 LOCATIONS OF WATER AND SEDIMENT SAMPLING STATIONS
-------
103
Table 2.5-5
Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Sediments from Lake Michigan
and Tributary streams in Illinois 1971
(ppb) dry weight basis
Aroclor
Location 1242 1254
<1 to 3 miles offshores
Cook County 1 N.D.-18.55 2.48-17.25
2 17.23-83.35 9.38-46.92
3 3.58-13.65 3.15-12.42
Lake County 4 7.43-19.25 • 5.26-17.45
5 4.98-46.11 8.36-34.52
Highland Park STP 11.11 • 12.42
Lake Forest STP 10.51 7.02
Lake Bluff STP 44.36 14.45
North Chicago STP 106.07 26.54
Waukegan STP 17.32 11.97
10-50 yards upstream from Lake
Lake County 6 N.D.-4.32 1.54-17.90
7 1.31-173.40 • 2.54-232.00
8 1.77-553.00 2.56-131.00
SOURCE: USEPA, Pesticide Monitoring Programs: Lake Michigan and
Tributaries in Illinois, EPA 600/3-74-002
-------
104
Table 2.5-6
Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Water Samples from
Illinois Streams and Sewage Plants Tributary to Lake Michigan
1971 - 1972, (ppt)
Afoclor
Location
1971
Waukegan River
Pettibone Creek
Waukegan STP
North Chicago STP
1972
Waukegan River
Pettibone Creek
Waukegan STP
North Chicago STP
1242
1810.0
140.0-187.0
601.0-4020.0
268.0-1070.0
57.0-120.0
N.D.-653.0
N.D.-17.0
N.D.-21.0
1254
388.0
192.0-194.0
139.0-568.0
153.0-260.0
61.0-136.0
107.0-841.0
97.0-139.0
100.0-178.0
SOURCE: DSEPA, Pesticide Monitoring Programs: Lake Michigan and
Tributaries in Illinois, EPA 600/3-74-002
-------
105
2.5.2.2 Michigan
Samples collected in 1971 and 1972 from municipal waste water
treatment plant effluents throughout Michigan"1 indicated these plants
as a major source of PCB's with an average concentration of 2.55 ppb
for 60 effluents sampled. Only seven of the effluents exceeded 1 ppb
but one, the Bay City treatment plant on the Saginaw River, had an
average effluent concentration of 120 ppb with a high of 340 ppb.
Samples collected from 58 waste water treatment plants in 1973
averaged 0.52 ppb. The Bay City PCS discharge had been greatly reduced
as a result of control measures in industries served by the waste
water treatment plant.
Sewage Sludge from 57 of the 58 plants tested in 1973 showed Bay
City to have the highest concentration of PCB's in the sludge being
removed by the treatment process averaging 352 ppm compared to a state
wide average of 15.6 ppm.
The range of values for all waste water treatment plants sampled
in 1971-1973 are given in Table 2.5-7.
-------
106
Table 2.5-7
PCS Levels from Waste Water Treatment Plants, Michigan
City
Adrian
Albion
Ann Arbor
Battle Creek
Bay City
Benton Harbor
St. Joseph
Brighton
Charlotte
Constantine
Detroit
Dexter
E. Lansing
Escanaba
Essexville
Flint
Flushing
Gladstone
Grand Haven
Grand Rapids
Holland
Houghton-Hancock
Iron Mountain-
Kingsford
Ironwood
Jackson
Kalamazoo
L'Anse
Lansing
Manistique
Marquette
Marshall
Menominee
Midland
Milford
Monroe
Mt. Clemens
Mt. Pleasant
Muskegon
Muskegon Heights
Niles
Norway
Effluent (1971-72)
(Ppb)
Aroclor
1254
0.41-14.00
0.44
<0.10-0.14
0.16-0.92
5.70-340.00
0.31-0.99
0.38
0.61
0.85
0.88-3.00
<0.10
0.35-0.69
0.29
0.21-0.28
<0.10-1.30
0.52
0.19
<0.50
0.37-0.68
0.42-0.79
<0.10
0.55-1.20
0.16
<0.10
0.19-1.30
<0.10 '
0.13-0.23
<0.20
0.35
<0.10
0.35
0.13-0.40
<0.10
0.33-0.60
1.40-10.00
<0.10
0.28
0.37
0.68
0.40
Effluent (1973)
(ppb)
Aroclor
Sludge (1973)
(ppm)
Aroclor
1242
3.20
2.15
0.44
1.05
<0.10
0.18
0.69
<0.10
1.12
0.22
0.63
0.29
0.15
0.57
<0.10
<0.10
0.29
0.83
0.18
0.48
1254 1242
0.34
0.25
<0.10
352.0
0.20
0.34
0.46
32.1
0.23
0.18
0.10
<0.10
<0.10
0.29
23.3
0.31
2.20
2.90 175.0
1254
1.5
1.1
2.8
13.8
6.8
2.1
3.2
4.6
5.9
3.9
6.3
4.1
4.1
11.8
0.8
5.5
9.5
5.2
3.0
4.4
5.3
1.5
2.8
3.9
4.2
2.9
3.3
6.5
12.7
11.0
7.8
<0.10
-------
107
Table 2.5-7 (cont.)
Effluent (1971-72)
(ppb)
Aroclor
City
Ontonagon
Owosso
Parchment
Pontiac (Auburn Rd)
Pontiac (E. Blvd)
Portage
Port Huron
Saginaw
St. Ignace
South Haven
Swartz Creek
Three Rivers
Trenton
Warren
Wayne County
(Wyandotte)
Wyoming
Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti Twp #1
Ypsilanti Twp #2
Cadillac
Howell
Sault Ste. Marie
Traverse City
1254
<0.10
0.10
<0.10
<0.10-0.61
0.15-1.30
1.90
0.28-0.52
0.74-3.80
<0.20
<0.10
<0.10
<0.30
0.14-1.10
0.10-0.16
0.17-0.64
0.44-0.55
0.21-0.22
<0.10r-0.12
0.16-0.19
Effluent (1973)
(ppb)
Aroclor
1242
0.12
0.31
<0.10
<0.10
<0.10
0.40
0.22
<0.10
<0.10
0.53
0.73
<0.10
0.60
0.54
1.80
0.77
Sludge (1973)
(ppm)
Aroclor
1254 1242
125
2.
5.'
1.
4.
2.01
0.31
15.
2.
1.
SOURCE: Monitoring for Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Aquatic
Environment, Michigan Water Resources Commission, May 1973
-------
108
2.5.2.3 Wisconsin
, Samples from sewage treatment facilities in Wisconsin were
collected in March 1970. The PCS concentrations identified in the
effluents ranged from 0.04 to 0.25 ppb and are presented in
Table 2.5-S.9
In 1971 11 municipal sewage treatment plants in eleven southeastern
Wisconsin cities were sampled as shown in Figure 2.5-8. Table 2.5-9
shows the results of this study and indicates that six of the eleven
sewage plants had effluents ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 ppb of Aroclor 1254
while two sites were greater than 1.0 ppb for the same Aroclor.
However Portage had 42 ppb of Aroclor 1248 in the effluent with 5.2 ppm
in the digester sludge.
It is interesting to note that even though Port Washington is
not as highly industrialized as Grafton the effluents from both cities
contained approximately the same concentrations of PCB's ranging from
0.12 to 0.23 ppb.
Since the concentrations for Cedarburg were so high a special
24 hour study was conducted. The concentrations in raw sewage began to
increase at the beginning of the working day from 0.54 ppb to a maximum
of 3.1 ppb at 4:00 p.m. Table 2.5-10 presents the readings taken.
The concentration in the final effluent appears to begin increasing
from 0.33 ppb at midnight to a maximum of 0.77 ppb at 2 p.m. The
concentration of PCB's in the effluent is approximately 30 percent of
that in the influent. The concentration of PCB's in the sludges, is
approximately 1,000 times higher than in the fluid wastes. These data
demonstrate that the time of sampling waste effluents is of importance
in mass transport estimates.*
-------
109
Table 2.5-8
Concentrations of PCBs in Outfalls into the
Milwaukee River on March 26, 1970
Location Aroclor FOB Concentration (ppb)
West Bent STP effluent 1254 0.25
Fredonia STP effluent 1254 0.12
Tributary at Fredonia 1260 0.04
Saukville STP effluent 1260 0.13
Chemical plant effluent,
Saukville 1242 2.50
Grafton STP effluent 1254 0.04
SOURCE: Veith, G.D., and G.F. Lee, Water Research, 5, 1107-1115,
(1971)
Table 2.5-9
PCS Concentrations in the Effluents from 11 Southeastern
Wisconsin Sewage Treatment Plants, 1971
PCS Concentrations Estimated Mass Transport
City (ppb) (in Ib/day)
Beaver Dam 0.05 0.0002
Port Washington 0.12-0.22 0.0027
Grafton 0.07-0.23 0.0008-0.0015
Cedarfaurg 0.28-1.1 0.0027-0.018
Racine 0.60-0.83 0.142
Burlington 0.08-0.14 0.0017
Lake Geneva 2.2-2.8 0.018
Walworth " 0.17-0.34
Beloit 3.89-11.75 0.0038-0.0052
Ft. Atkinson 1.24-2.48
Portage 32-42 0.0015
SOURCE: Dufae, D.J. Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Effluents from Sewage
Treatment Plants in Southeastern Wisconsin
-------
110
1GRAFTON
PORT WASHINGTON
FREDONIA
• SAUKVILLE
PORTAGE .
. BEAVER DAM
FORT ATKINSON
• 4
VT~
\ CEDARBURG
RACiNc
;BELOIT
\ BURLINGTON
LAKE GENEVA
WALWORTH
FIGURE 2.5-8 WISCONSIN CITIES WHERE MUNICIPAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS WERE
SAMPLED IN 1971
-------
Ill
Table 2.5-10
A 24-hour Survey of PCB's in the Cedarburg Treatment
Plant on April 15, 1971
PCS Concentrations (in ppb)*
Time
0:00
1:00
2:00
4:00
6:00
8:00
10:00
12:00
14:00
16:00
17:00
20:00
21:00
22:00
Flow
(in gal/min)
1480
1360
1300
1250
1200
2000
2100
1900
1900
1850
1900
1950
1800
1650
In the
Influent
0.30
0.20
0.13
0.54
0.40
1.7
1.5
3.1
0.30
0.36
In the In the Primary
Effluent Trickling Filter
0.33
0.19
0.10
Ooc •••„•„
• J J
0.16
0.39
0.50
0.23 0.69
0.77
0. 70
0.25
0.22
0.14
0.34
*The Chromatograms of the samples most closely resembled the
chromatogram of Aroclor 1254.
SOURCE: Dube, D.J. Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Effluents from
Sewage Treatment Plants in Southeastern Wisconsin
-------
112
2.5.2.4 Ohio
Very little information is available from the Ohio River. The
values reported are given in Table 2.5-11.
Table 2.5-11
PCS Levels from Sewage Treatment Plants, Ohio, 1971
Collection Site Aroclor Detected Concentration (ppb)
Dayton 1254 17
Hamilton 1248 10
Middleton N.D.
SOURCE: Polychlorinated Biphenyls and the Environment, Inter-
departmental Task Force on PCB's, May 1972
-------
113
2.5.2.5 California
In 1970 over a billion gallons of waste water entered the sea
each day from urban sewage systems in California. Since two kilograms
of PCS output per day are equivalent to one ton per year, outfalls of
9 sewage treatment plants discharging waste to the sea in California
were sampled in an effort to identify potential PCB sources. The
samples were all taken from sewage outfalls at sites closest to the
points of entry into the sea as shown in Figure 2.5-9. The highest
output was reported in Los Angeles County which is one of the most
industrialized areas in the state. Table 2.5-12 shows the PCB levels
identified in the samples collected.5
The only other available data were collected in. early 1975 on
sludge as part of the California Compliance Monitoring Survey for
Chlorinated Hydrocarbons.0 The results obtained are listed
in Table 2.5-13.
Only one plant was sampled in both studies, the Hyperion Plant
in Los Angeles. The 1970 sludge samples had 78.5 and 98.1 ppb
concentrations while the 1975 readings ranged from 1,000-1,400 ppb.
-------
114
SAN FRANCISCO,
JERROLD STREET
RICHMOND
EAST BAY
\
\
\
\
\
\ .
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
OXNARD
CITY OF LOS ANGELES, HYPERION
CITY OF LOS ANGELES, TERMINAL ISLAND
' LOS ANGELES COUNTY,
WHITE POINT OUTFALL
V
ORANGE COUNTY,
PLANT NO. 2
i SAN DIEGO •>
FIGURE 2.5-9 LOCATIONS OF TREATMENT PLANTS SAMPLED, CALIFORNIA
-------
u
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4J eg
ca a
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60 O
IH a
•a to
•H
•O CJ
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eg eg
IH P&4
01
4J C
eg eg
3 eo
4J
CJ
•H-
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4J
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industrial area of
co. 31.5 1260
CO
CU -H
J5 O
4-1 ff
eg
CO M
cu c*4
^
jj fU
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CO CO
CU
60,
eg
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eg
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5 1254
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3 oi
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iH C
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01
C. CO
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33 >J
Beach, Torrance and
ly industrialized areas
les County. 350 1242, 125<
60 iH Ol
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01 M O
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01 4J <4H
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-------
116
Table 2.5-13
PCB Levels in Sludge, California, 1975
Location
Description
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (ppm)
Aroclor Aroclor Aroclor
1254 1260 1242
Orange County
Sewage Treatment
Plant
Hyperion
Sewage Treatment
Plant
Fort Ord
Sewage Treatment
Plant
Treasure' Isle
Sewage Treatment
Plant
Travis Air Force
Base, Sewage Treat-
ment Plant
Fountain Valley
Digester Sludge
Los Angeles,
Digester Sludge
Secondary Digester
Sludge
Sludge
Digester Sludge
38-40
1.0-1.4
0.2-0.4 —
0.4-0.6
0.6-0.8
Mather Air
Force Base
McClellan
Air Force Base
Beale
Air Force Base
Sacramento
Primary Digester
Sludge
Secondary Sludge
Primary Digester
0.4-0.6
0.3-0.5
4.5-5.5
SOURCE: Unpublished Data, USEPA National Field Investigation Center,
August 1975
-------
117
REFERENCES, Section 2.5
1. Dube, D.J. Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Effluents from Sewage
Treatment Plants in Southeastern Wisconsin
2. Nadeau, R.J., and R.P. Davis, Investigation of Polychlorinated
Biphenyls in the Hudson River, USEPA Region II
3. Polychlorinated Biphenyls and the Environment, Interdepartmental
Task Force on PCB's, May 1972
4. Monitoring for Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Aquatic Environ-
ment, Michigan Water Resources Commission, May 1973
5. Schmidt, T.T., R.W. Risefarough and F. Gress, Bulletin of Environ-
mental Contamination and Toxicology £, 235r243, (1971)
6. Unpublished Data, USEPA National Field Investigation Center,
August 1975
7. Unpublished Report, Contract 6S-01-2978, USEPA, Office of Toxic
Substances; July 1975
8. USEPA, Pesticide Monitoring Programs: Lake Michigan and Tributaries
in Illinois, EPA 600/3-74-002
9. Veith, G.D., and G.F. Lee, Water Research, 5, 1107-1115, (1971)
-------
118
2.6 Data from Localized Monitoring Efforts - Cities
2.6.1 Jacksonville, Florida
Samples of ambient air, water, soils and bottom sediments were
collected in the vicinity of Jacksonville, Florida, on September 10,
October 6-7 and November 20-21, 1975, for PCS analysis.1
Figure 1 illustrates the sampling locations in the Jacksonville
area. The outlined area on Figure 2.6-1 circumscribes a municipal
sewage sludge disposal site which has been used for the past several
years by the City of Jacksonville.
AIR DATA
Air samples were collected at the fire station off Fort Caroline
Road using a high-volume sampler equipped with polyurethane foam as the
collection medium. Measured PCB concentrations are reported in Table 2.6-1
for the 24-hour period of November 20-21, 1975- The levels measured
throughout this period ranged from 4 to 9 ng/m , with the lowest levels
being observed during the early morning period. Chromatograms indicated
the presence of the lower substituted PCB components of Aroclors 1221
and 1016. Quantitation of the PCB levels was performed after perchlor-
ination to decachlorobiphenyl.
WATER, BOTTOM SEDIMENT AND SLUDGE DATA
The analytical data for water, bottom sediment and sludge are sum-
marized in Table 2.6-2 for the sampling points shown on Figure 2.6-1. PCB
content of bottom sediments range from 10 to 572 ppb, surface water con-
centrations ranged from the analytical detection limit of 20 ppt to
285 ppt, expressed as decachlorobiphenyl. The highest sediment concen-
tration (572 ppb) was observed near the cooling water discharge of the
Jacksonville Electric Authority Southside Generating Station. This may
be related to use of PCB-containing materials at the generating station.
Intermediate concentrations were observed in sections of the St. John's
River which is surrounded by urban and industrial development. Drainage
creeks from the municipal sewage sludge landfill area had bottom sediments
of lower concentration. Inspection of gas chromatographic elution patterns
indicates the presence of Aroclor 1260 in these sediment samples.
A concentration level of 720 ppb was measured for fresh sludge taken
from the Monterey sewage treatment plant. Two-year-old sludge, taken
from the landfill area, had a concentration level of 119 ppb.
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120
Table 2.6-1
PCS in Ambient Air in the Vicinity of Jacksonville, Florida
Date
Period
Concentration (ng/m )*
11/20/75
11/20/75
11/20/75
11/20/75
11/21/75
11/21/75
1200-1600
1200-1800
1800-2400
2000-2400
2400-0600
0600-1200
9
8
9
7
4
6
* Reported as decachlorobiphenyl.
Table 2.6-2
PCS Analysis of Environmental Samples
in the Jacksonville, Florida, Area.
Sample
Site
Sample
Type
Site Description
Concentration
(ppb)*
1 Sludge Monterey sewage treatment plant 720
2 Soil SW section of sludge landfill; 119
about two years old
3 Soil Air collection site 68
9 Sediment Unnamed Stream into Mill Cove 10
10 Sediment Ginhouse Creek 21
11 Sediment Arlington River Mouth 74
11 Water Arlington River Mouth 0.260
12 Sediment Generating Station Discharge 572
13 Sediment St. John's River 142
14 Sediment Trout River 167
14 Water Trout River • 0.020.
16 Water Jacksonville College Pier 0.285
17 Water St. Joseph's River 0.103
18 Water Broward River Mouth 0.020
*Reported as decachlorobiphenyl.
SOURCE: Unpublished Report. Contract 68-01-2978, Office of Toxic
Substances, EPA, December 1975.
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121
REFERENCES, Section 2.6
1. Unpublished Report. Contract 68-01-2978, Office of Toxic Substances,
EPA, December 1975.
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122
3.0 Behavior of PCB's in the Environment
In general, PCS environmental movement ±s dependent on stability,
solubility and volatility. These properties will control their trans-
port via air, soil, water and/or sediment depending on the partition
coefficient in each phase.
General discussions on the thermal, photochemical and chemical
properties of PCB's have recently been published by Hutzinger, Safe
and Zitko5. Various transport mechanisms have received considerable
attention9'1*. Current air data indicates that the predominant movement
of PCB's in the atmosphere is not attached to particulates as is the
case with DDT, but rather as the free unbound molecular species.
Some of the complexities of the behavior of PCB's in the environment
include the following characteristics which are discussed in subsequent
sections: (a) the complexity of the composition of different Aroclor
products, (b) the difficulty in definition of water solubility and adsorp-
tion properties due to the complexity of the mixtures, and (c) the
variability of the volatilization process depending on the starting
mixture -and point of release. By coupling these areas, the focus will
be on those PCS properties that influence environmental sample collection,
control tsheir distribution in environmental samples and present potential
difficulties in environmental sampling.
3.1 Composition of Aroclor Products
PCB's have been manufactured in the United States by the Monsanto
Industrial Chemicals Company, and marketed under the trademark Aroclor
with a numerical designation3. Table 3-1 provides an overview of the
major Aroclors produced with their associated chlorine content. These
Aroclor products are mixtures of different isomers. A typical analysis
of the currently produced products and the associated chlorobiphenyl
composition is shown in Table 3-2. In addition, the number of potential
isomers making up the chlorobiphenyl component are also indicated. From
this chemical analysis, Aroclor 1221 can be considered primarily as a
monochlorofaiphenyl and is the only Aroclor with a significant biphenyl
concentration; Aroclor 1016 and 1242 are primarily trichlorobiphenyls,
with the 1016 having a lower penta and hexa content than the 1242 pro-
duct; Aroclor 1254 is primarily a pentachlorobiphenyl product. The
composition of the different isomers could be quite different for each
product.
3.2 Water Solubility of PCB's
The water solubility of various Aroclor products and some chloro-
biphenyl isomers has been measured by different investigators. A
limited set of reported values are shown in Table 3-3. The solubility
for all three monochlorobiphenyl isomers is listed and range from 1190-
5900 ppb. The solubilities for all of the higher chlorobiphenyl isomers
have not been measured and only representative compounds are listed to
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123
show the range of values possible and the component solubilities for
Aroclor 1221; for the dichlorobiphenyls, the 2,4-, 2,2"-, 2,4'-, 4,4'-
dichloro isomer is listed out of a possible 12 isomers and range in
solubility from 80-1880 ppb; for the trichlorobiphenyls, only the
2,2',5-trichloro is listed out of a possible 24 isomers; for the te-
trachlorobiphenyls only the 2,2',5,5'-tetrachloro is listed out of a
possible 42 isomers. These values indicate that PCB's have low sol-
ubilities and the solubility decreases with the number of chlorine atoms
present in the isomer, i.e., the lower isomers containing chlorine show
the highest solubility. Factors that contribute to the variability of
the results include adsorption to particulate matter or wall surfaces
and the slow equilibration process.
Studies by Haque et. al.,3 show that equilibration of Aroclor 1254
in water required approximately two months to reach complete equilib-
rium, with the major portion being achieved in a week. These studies
also included various types of adsorbent surfaces ranging from sand to
highly organic soil samples. The adsorption increased strongly with
the organic content of the adsorbent studied. Starting with an original
concentration of Aroclor 1254 at 56 ppb, the addition of 100 grams of
sand or silica gel had very little effect on the final PCS concentration.
However, by adding a high organic content soil, the final PCS concentration
vas reduced fay approximately 85%.
Studies by Eichelberger1 on the behavior of PCB's in river water
over a 16 week period indicated that the levels of recovery of 10 ppb
spiked Aroclor 1242 samples were 87, 76, 73, 60, 53 and 43 percent for
zero time, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks respectively. Losses were attributed
to irreversible adsorption on either the walls of the sample container
or the silt contained in the sample.
3.3 Interactions of PCB's with Soils
The behavior of PCB's in soil is a complex process dependent on a
number of factors which include surface properties and composition.
Soil composition can be identified by characterizing the percentage of
sand, silt, clay and organic carbon. Depending on the surface properties,
soils can act as an effective barrier to PCS migration in landfill sites
and as an effective sink to PCB's deposited via aerial fallout. Once
the PCB's are adsorbed, factors that would influence PCS movement are
leaching when water is added to the soil and re-evaporation under normal
atmospheric conditions.
In a series of experiments directed at understanding the leaching
properties for various soils that could be encountered at different land-
fill sites, different types of soils were studied10. These experiments
percolated water through a column packed with soil coated with Aroclor
1016 and monitored the effluent water. Breakthrough of the PCB's was
found to be related to the clay content of the soil. Soils with the
higher clay content retained the PCB's. The isomer distribution in the
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effluent reflected the different water solubility and adsorption properties
characteristic of the Aroclor 1016 isomers. The less chlorinated isomers
were more readily leached. Results from these experiments are shown in
Figure 3-1, where an Aroclor 1016 and 1221 standard solution is compared
with the leached mixture. A .32mm id x 50m glass capillary column
coated with OV-101 was used for these separations. The flow rate was
2 IBl./min helium and the column temperature was programmed from 150° to
230°C at 2°C/min. The resulting isomer distribution is significantly
changed from the starting Aroclor 1016 and has a closer resemblance
to the isomer pattern of Aroclor 1221. In the worst case, less than 0.05%
of the total Aroclor 1016 available was leached under conditions equivalent
to forty years of annual rainfall.
Adsorption and evaporation studies3 with Aroclor 1254 on different
soils show that due to the few adsorption sites in sand, sand surfaces
adsorb relatively small amounts when compared to the other types of soils.
Consequently the vaporization loss from a sand surface will be signifi-
cantly higher than soil surfaces where it is more tightly bound. The
less chlorinated isomers show a greater loss than those isomers of high
chlorine content.
3.4 Evaporation of PCB's from Water
The transfer of PCB's from water to the air environment may be
significantly faster than expected when considering that these compounds
have a high molecular'weight, low solubilities and low vapor pressures5'7.
On examination, these compounds exhibit very high activity coefficients
in aqueous solution resulting in high equilibrium vapor partial pressures
and consequently high evaporation rates. The rates are relatively insen-
sitive to temperature. For different Aroclor products, the evaporation
process is complex depending on .the chlorobiphenyl isomers present,
leading to different isomer concentrations in each phase with time. The
calculated half-lives for Aroclor 1242 and 1254 for a water depth of one
meter are 12.1 and 10.3 hours respectively. Using the half-life values,
if a monitoring station is located one hour downstream from a source of
Aroclor 1242, by the time the water reaches the station, approximately
one twentieth of the initial levels may have been evaporated. Where the
water body is turbulent, the evaporation rate will be increased signifi-
cantly.
3.5 Environmental Sampling Guidelines
Based pn these limited studies, the following guidelines and
precautions are suggested:
(1) laboratory measurements of field samples should be made as
soon as possible;
(2) concentration levels of field samples measured in the laboratory
will be lower than actual concentrations;
(3) concentration levels in water may be much lower in some areas
depending on the type of suspended particulate matter;
(4) samples collected at plant outfalls will be non-equilibrium
samples;
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125
4 AROCLOR 1016STDSOLN
PCBs FROM RAY SILTY LOAM
AROCLOR 1221 STD SOLN
I ! J I
J I
012345678 MINUTES
SOURCE: MIEURE, J.P., 0. HICKS, R.G. KALEY AND V.W. SAEGER, "CHARACTERIZATION
1 OF POLYCHLORtNATED BIPHENYLS," NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS, CHICAGO, ILL. NOVEMBER 19-21, 1975
!FIGURE3-1
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126
(5) sampling methods should be employed which reduce the problem of
irreversible adsorption on container walls;
(6) soil samples will have an enriched high chlorobiphenyl isomer
concentration;
(7) leached water and air samples will have an enriched lower
chlorobiphenyl isomer concentration;
(8) true identification of the specific Aroclor released into the
environment becomes more difficult with time.
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Table 3-1
AROCLOR PRODUCTS
Produced by Monsanto
127
Currently in Production
1221
1016
1242
1254
Discontinued
1232
1248
1260
1262
1268
Percent Chlorine
21
32
41
42
48
54
60
62
68
Table 3-2
COMPOSITION OF SOME AROCLORS
Chlorobiphenyl Number of
Chlorobiphenyl Percent Distribution
of some Aroclors
Composition
C12H10
C12H9C1
C12H8C12
C12H7C13
C12H6C14
C12H5C15
C12H4C16
C12H3C1?
C H Cl
Isomers
3
12
24
42
46
42
24
12
1221
11
51
32
4
2
<0.5
ND
ND
ND
1016
<0.1
1
20
57
21
1
<0.1
ND
ND
1242
<0.1
1
16
49
25
8
1
<0.1
ND
1254
<0.1
<0. 1
<0.5
1
21
48
23.
6
ND
ND » None detected, <0.1%
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128
Table 3-3
SOLUBILITY OF AROCLORS AND CHLOROBIPHENYLS IN WATER
Aroclor Products
Solubility (ppb) Media
1016 225-250
1221 200
1242 200
1254 300-3000
1254 300-1500
1254 50
1254 56
- 1254 40
Chlorobiphenyl Compounds
2-chlorobiphenyl* 5900
3-chlorobiphenyl 3500
4-chlorobiphenyl* 1190
2,4-dichlorobiphenyl 1400
2,4-dichlorobiphenyl 637
2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl* 1500
2,4'-dichlorobiphenyl* 1880
4,4'-dichlorobiphenyl* 80
2,2',5-Crichlorobiphenyl 248
2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobipheayl 46
2,2',5,5f-tetrachlorofaiphenyl 26
distilled water
distilled water
distilled water
fresh water
salt water
distilled water
distilled water
distilled water
References
10
8
9
12
12
9
3
8
5
5
5
5
2
5
5
5
2
11
2
*These are the major chlorofaiphenyl compounds in Aroclor 1221; the other major
constituent is biphenyl which has a solubility in water of 4600 ppb.
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129
REFERENCES, Section 3.0
1. Eichelberger, J., unpublished data.
2. Haque, R.,' and D.W. Schmedding, Bull. Environ. Contamin. Toxicol.
14, 13 (1975).
3. Haque, R., D.W. Schmedding and V.H. Freed, Environ. Sci. Technol.
8_, 139 (1974).
4. Harvey, G.R., and W. G. Steinhauer, Atmospheric Environment, 8_,
777 (1974).
5.' Hutzinger, 0., S. Safe and V. Zitko, "The Chemistry of PCB's,"
CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio (1974).
6. Mackay, D., and P.J. Leinonen, Environ. Sci. Technol. j?, 1178
(1975).
7. Mackay, D., and A.W. Wolkoff, Environ. Sci. Technol., 7_, 611 (1973)
8. Mieure, J.P., 0. Hicks, R.G. Kaley and V.W. Saeger, "Characteriza-
tion of polychlorinated Biphenyls," National Conference on
Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Chicago, 111., November 19-21, 1975.
9. Nisbet, C.T., and A.B. Sarofin, Environ. Health Perspec. _!, 21
(1972).
10. Tucker, E.W., W.J. Litschgi and W.M. Mees, Bull. Environ. Contain.
Toxicol., 13, 86 (1975).
11. Wallnofer, P.R., N. Koniger and 0. Hutzinger, Analab Res. Notes
13, 14 (1973).
12. Zitko, V., Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. _5_, 279 (1970),
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130
Occurrence of PCB's in Food
Some of the earliest findings of PCB's in foods occurred during
the fall of 1969 in coho salmon and milk from West Virignia which was
traced back to the misuse of a transformer fluid containing PCB's for
defoliant spraying adjacent to dairy pasturage. In 1971 PCB's were
found in poultry from North Carolina. Contaminated fish meal was
implicated as the causative agent. The contamination was traced back
to a leak in heat exchange equipment using PCB's. The fish meal
samples examined contained from 14 to 30 ppm of PCB's. Followup
sampling of eggs showed that 71 of 224 eggs contained residues in
excess of 0.5 ppm ranging from 0.6 to 4.2 ppm.3
The Food and Drug Administration conducts a comprehensive food
surveillance program yearly to determine pesticide residues, PCB's,
heavy metals and other contaminants in the dietary intake of consumers
in the United States and to target emerging problems and trends. The
FDA.has analyzed all raw agricultural commodities sampled under the
pesticide surveillance program for PCB's since 1969. PCB's have
been encountered most frequently in fish, both freshwater (catfish,
chub, and smelt) and saltwater (porgies, sea trout, bonita and sardines),
with trace levels in shellfish. Table 4-1 presents the results of
this program from July 1970 to September 1971.3
As a result of these findings FDA proposed certain regulations for
PCS concentrations in foods in 1972. These temporary tolerances are:
Commodity PCS Concentration (ppm)
Milk (fat basis) 2.5
Dairy Products (fat basis) 2.5
Poultry (fat basis) 5.0
Eggs 0.5
Finished Animal Feed 0.2
Animal Feed Components 2.0
Fish (edible portion) 5.0
Infant and Junior Foods 0.2
Of these commodities, fish is the only food primarily contaminated by
the environment (waterways). The other commodities were contaminated
by industrial and agricultural uses.
In FY 73 and 74 Comprehensive Fish Surveys were carried out; While
the data are valuable in showing which species and which areas are apt
to be of concern, the diversity of the fish sources and reasons for
collecting them make it difficult to determine if there have been any
trends. In the FY 73 program no PCB's were detected in 70% of the
samples; 3% contained over 1 ppm while only 0.5% had over 5 ppm of
PCB's. Those over 1 ppm were generally fresh water fish or those apt
to be near the shore. Carp were the only fish over 5 ppm with a high
of 20.5 ppm. The FY 74 survey, which was not carried to completion,
showed no PCB's in over 80% of the samples analyzed and no samples
contained more than 2 ppm.2
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131
The total diet studies for FY 70 and FY 71 showed composite
samples containing PCS residues up to 0.36 ppm. The positive readings
were found in meat, fish, poultry, dairy and the grain and cereal
composites. The 0.36 ppm value was found to be caused by migration
of PCB's from the grayboard container and dividers to packaged shredded
wheat.3
The FY 73 study included thirty market basket samples from
representative areas of the United States consisting of the total
14-day diet of a 15-20 year old male in the region of collection
including about 117 individual food items.1
These 117 food items are separated after any necessary preparation
into twelve food group composites for analysis:
I Dairy Products
II Meat, Fish and Poultry
III Grain and Cereal Products
IV Potatoes
V Leafy Vegetables
VI Legume Vegetables
VII . Root Vegetables
VIII Garden Fruits
IX Fruits
X Oils, Fats and Shortening
XI Sugar and Adjuncts
XII Beverages (including drinking water)
Most of the PCB levels identified in 1973 were trace amounts
resulting in a daily intake of only 1 ug/day. The most frequent
occurrences were in the meat-fish-poultry and grain-cereal products
groups with 33% and 17% positive analyses. It has been suggested
that environmental contamination may be the source in the first group
and lingering recycled paper contamination in the second group.
Of 30 composites examined for each commodity group PCB residues
were only determined in five of the groups as follows:
Group Frequency
Dairy Products • 3
Meat, Fish and Poultry 10
Grain and Cereal Products 5
Potatoes 1
Oils, Fats and Shortening 1
The range for all 20 positives was trace to 0.073 ppm. In fact 19
of the 20 readings were only trace amounts with the 0.073 ppm composite
appearing in the Grain and Cereal Products group.1
Data for 1974 show that there were positive readings in only two
food groups: sugar and adjuncts; and meat, fish and poultry. While
only 3% of the samples in the first group were positive, 43% of those
in the meat, fish and poultry group were positive. The fish components
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132
of these samples were usually the source of the contamination. Preliminary
information indicated that the range of levels measured was trace
to 0.05 ppto. Data for the first half of 1975 have found 40% of the meat,
fish and poultry group to show positive readings for PCB's with no
positives in other food group.
Using the preceding information the FDA has estimated the average
daily intake from all twelve food group composites and the average daily
intake from the meat fish and poultry food class as presented in Table 4-2.
For those levels which were reported as trace the assumption was made
to average them at 1/2 the quantitative lower level of detection; i.e.,
0.025 ppm. It can be seen that there has been a decrease in the estimated
total intake. This intake should level out and continue at the 1975
level as long as fish remain almost the sole source of PCB's and the
entry of PCB's into waterways is not decreased.2
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133
Table 4-1
PCB Residues in Selected Food Commodities
July 1970.- September 1971
Number of Number of
samples samples Percent • PCB levels, Average
examined positive positive Low (ppm) high (ppm)
Fish 670 363 54 T 35.29 1.87
Cheese 1344 91 6 T 1.0 .25
Milk 941 69 7 T 27.8 2.27
Shell eggs 550 161 29 T ' 3.74 .55
Fish by-products 13 — T 5.0 1.17
Total (excluding
fish by-product)3505 684 19 1.14
SOURCE: Kolbye, A.D., Jr., Environmental Health Perspectives,
. 85-88, April 1972.
Table 4-2
Estimates of Daily PCB Intakes
Total Diet Study
Average Daily Intake of PCB's
Total Diet Heat-Fish-Poultry
Fiscal Year (yg/day) Food Class (yg/day)
1971 15.0 9.5
1972 12.6 9.1
1973 13.1 8.7
1974 8.8 8.8
1975 (1st half) 8.7 8.7
SOURCE: Jelinek, D.F. and P.E. Corneliussen, National Conference
on Polychlorinated Biphenyls, November 1975.
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134
REFERENCES, Section 4
1. Food and Drug Administration, Compliance Program Evaluation,
Total Diet Studies: FY 1973, Bureau of Foods, January 9, 1975.
2. Jelinek, C.F. and P.E. Corneliussen, National Conference on
Polychlorinated Biphenyls, November 1975.
3. Kolbye, A.C., Jr., Environmental Health Perspectives, 85-88, April 1972.
4. Unpublished Data, Food and Drug Administration.
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13'.
5.0 Exposure and Biological Accumulation of PCB's in Man
5.1 National Monitoring Programs
The National Human Monitoring Program for Pesticides is conducted
by the Office of Pesticide Programs, EPA. Small samples of adipose
tissue from postmortem examinations and from specimens submitted
for pathological examination during therapeutic surgery are collected
and analyzed for the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides.
Analysis for PCB's was begun in 1968. Summaries of the data from 1971
are reported in Table 5.1-1 and from 1972 to 1974 in Table 5.1-2.
Nate that although classes are different in the two sets of results,
the proportion of samples showing traces of PCB's is increasing: 50.7%,
1971; 73.99%, 1972; 75.49%, 1973; 90.93%, 1974. The increase between
1973 and 1974 is dramatic. However, the percentage of tissues which
contained quantifiable (greater than 1.0 ppm) of PCBs appears to be re-
maining relatively constant (31.1%, 58.53%, 35.08%, 40.30%, 1971-74).
5.2 Localized Studies
There have been several localized studies showing the presence
of PCB's in both human plasma and milk. A 1968 study in Charleston
County, South Carolina3, reported that of 612 plasma samples
collected from healthy volunteers, 45% showed some PCS residue. Levels
ranged to a maximum of 29 ppb with a mean plasma residue of 2.12 ppb.
This study also tested for the significance of several factors
on PCS levels, concluding only that residues were more frequent and
higher in whites-and urban residents. A follow-up study conducted
in 1972: in the Charleston area sampled plasma and scalp hair
specimens from 37 refuse burners and 54 controls. PCS residues were
not detected in hair samples, but 81% of the refuse burners (compared
with only 11% of the controls) had detectable PCS residues in plasma.
Median levels for those with detectable amounts in plasma were 2.6 ppb
for the refuse workers and 3.7 ppb for the controls, with maximums
of 14.1 ppb and 20.2 respectively.
A 1971-72 study5•of 40 human milk samples in Colorado discovered
PCB residues in 20% of the samples in ranges from 40 to 100 ppb.. A
1971 study of 47 lactating women in Texas reported an absence 'of PCB
residues both in milk from all subjects and in serum from 28 subjects.
A minor study of blood samples from nine cachectic patients and 15
healthy nonpatients from Missouri and surrounding states'* reported
detectable PCB residues in all patients (mean 48 ppb, range 10-100 ppb)
and none detectable in the nonpatients. No conclusions were drawn.
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136
Table 5.1-1
PCS Concentrations in Human Adipose Tissue, 1971
Absent Trace to Below 1 ppm 1-2 ppm 2 ppm
Sample Size Number % Number 7. Number % Number %
637 314 49.3 125 19.6 165 25.9 33 5.2
SOURCE: Yobs, Anne R., Environmental Health Perspectives, !_, 79-81
April 1972.
Table 5.1-2
PCS Concentrations in Human Adipose Tissue, 1972-1974
Sample Size
1972 4102
1973 1277
1974 1047
Absent
Number %
1067 26.01
313 24.51
95 9.07
Below 1 ppm
Number %
634 15.46
513 40.17
530 50.62
1-3 ppm
Number %
2079 50.68
378 29.60
371 35.43
73 ppm
Number %
322 7.85
70 5.48
51 4.87
SOURCE: Kutz, F.W., Project Officer, National Human Monitoring Program
for Pesticides, Office of Pesticides Programs, U.S. EPA,
Washin gt on, DC.
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13;
REFERENCES, Section 5
1. Bumgarner, J.E., D.I. Hammer, A.V. Colucci, J.P. Creason and
J.F. Finklea, 1973, Polychlorinated Biphenyls Residues in Refuse
Workers, Bioenvironmental Laboratory Branch, Human Studies
Laboratory, National Environmental Research Center, Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina, unpublished report dated June 26,
1973.
2. Dyment, P.G., L.M. Hebertson, E.D. Gomes, J.S. Wiseman and
R.W. Horaabrook, Bulletin of Environmental Contaminants and Toxicology,
532-534, (1971)
3. Finklea, J., L.E. Priester, J.P. Creason, T. Hauser, T. Hinners,
and D.J. Hammer, Annual Journal of Public Health, j52_, 645-651, (1972).
4. Hesselberg, R.J. and D.D. Scherr, 1974, Bulletin of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology, 11, 202-205, (1974)
5. Kutz, F.W., Project Officer, National Human Monitoring Program
for Pesticides, Office of Pesticides Programs, U.S. EPA, Washington,
DC.
6. Savage, E.P., J.D. Tessari, J.W. Malberg, H.W. Wheeler and
J.R. Bagby, Pesticides Monitoring Journal, 7_, 1-3, June 1973
7. Yobs, Anne R., Environmental Health Perspectives, _!, 79-81, April
1972
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138
6.0 Environmental Trends
There are few data bases or environmental studies which provide
an adequate basis for sound analytic determinations of national trends
in environmental levels of PCB's. Such a data base would be a result
of a system of studies involving consistent sampling across media,
i.e., statistical samples taken at the same locations at representative
time periods, analyzed according to standard protocols, taken over
a period of time long enough to establish a trend. Some studies
do show consistent sampling within specific media, e.g., the Great
Lakes Environmental Contaminant Survey, but the literature is full
of snapshot studies with neither predecessor nor successor, and
baseline studies which have not been followed by any further work.
Thus, whether due to funding, modification of priorities or personnel
changes, long-term consistency and coordination have not been achieved.
As a result, the conclusions drawn in this section represent qualitative
judgements drawn from the large mass of generally uncoordinated
PCS studies analyzed.
Even recognizing all the faults of the available data base, the
sheer mass of data supports the conclusion that there is widespread
contamination of the environment by PCB's. There are regional variations,
but effects are consistent across all media (e.g., water, sediment,
fish, birds), generally showing greater concentrations of PCB's in
highly developed areas and in areas of industrial activity. Over the
past five years of increasing recognition of and attention to the
problems of PCB's, the situation has' shown no improvement nationally.
Conscious efforts have, however, resulted in substantial improvement
in some localized instances.
PCS contamination of the nation's waterways was termed widespread
by the USGS over the period 1971-1972; more recent data from the USGS
up to 1975 has shown no reduction in either levels or in geographical
dispersion. Although sampling stations in the USGS data base are not
expected to be representative of the U.S. and the data suffers from
multiple observations at some stations and spot readings at others, over
the period 1971-1975 states which had reported PCB's in sediment continued
to do so while six of the 23 states which had shown no contaminated
samples in 1973 did report some contamination in 1974. Sediment
concentrations are imperfect indicators of current contamination
levels and whole water measurements would be better. However, the
currently practiced analytical protocol for water measurements, which
limits detectability to 0.1 ppb, leads to a preponderance of zero-.
readings in whole water which mask the very real problem of PCB con-
tamination in the nation's waters. In almost all cases in which
samples of both whole water and bottom sediment were taken simultane-
ously and the sediment had a non-zero PCB level, concentration in
the water was reported as zero ppb. This occurred even when the con-
centration in bottom sediment was as high as 4000 parts per billion!
Were water measurements to be taken at the parts per trillion level
as some recent studies have done, whole water readings would certainly
show PCB contamination, to an extent similar to that shown by sediment
readings.
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139
The results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's fish monitoring
activities show that stations which have reported high concentrations
in the past continue to do so, and that the higher concentrations are
associated with river systems having significant industrial activity.
Such results are consistent with those for water and sediment from
the USGS water quality file. The fish data, however, shows a decline
in both the proportion of composites with some PCS residues and the
proportion with residues in excess of 0.5 ppm in the 1970-73 sampling
program. Levels of detection are generally lower in 1973 than in previous
years. While there are cautionary notes (see section 2.1.5), some
improvement in PCS contamination appears evident, although mostly
at those stations with prior low contamination levels.
Water is recognized as being a major sink and transport mechanism
for PCS's and, therefore, residue levels in water and fish are signi-
ficant. Yet other media confirm the stability and breadth of contamina-
tion over the nation. Data on human adipose tissue show a steady
climb over the years 1971-74 in the percent showing traces of PCB's.
Soil monitoring shows that sixty percent, i.e., 3 of 5 cities sampled
each year since the National Soils Monitoring Program started have had
at least one positive PCS sample. Bird monitoring conducted as part
of the U.S. Bureau of Fish and Wildlife's portion of the National
Pesticides Monitoring Program shows residue levels in. black ducks
and mallards increasing between 1969 and 1972 in the Atlantic and
Mississippi flyways and slightly decreasing in the Central and Pacific
Flyways. PCS residues in starlings for 1970, 1972 and 1974 appear to
be decreasing, yet PCB residues have been found in all samples each
year, underscoring the ubiquitous nature of PCB's throughout the country.
*
f
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•TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO. 2.
EPA - 560/7-76-001
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
Review of PCS Levels in the Environment
7. AUTHORS Doris J. Finlay
Frederick H. Siff
Vincent J. DeCarlo
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Office of Toxic Substances
Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, DC 20460
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOI*NO.
5. REPORT DATE
January. 1976 (preparation)
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
2LA328
11. CONfRACT/GRANT NO.
N/A
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
16. ABSTRACT
Review of the current PCS data base to assess the PCS levels in the environ-
ment on a national level; the full spectrum of PCS levels reported in man and
the environment were of interest. Data were obtained from a number of nattional
monitoring programs, the literature and many unpublished reports up to
December 1, 1975.
17. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
a. DESCRIPTORS b.lOENTIFI
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB's)
Water Great Lakes Behavior
-, Sediment Human
Soil Marine
Air Industrial Plants
-?ish Sewage Treatment Plants
Birds Food
unclas
unclas
ERS/OP6N ENDED TERMS C. '. COSATI Field/Group
TY CLASS (This Report) 21. NO. OF PAGES
•sified 143
TY CLASS (This page) 22. PRICE
isified
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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