UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 OFFICIAL. BUSINESS PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S* ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA-335 US. MAIL Haughton {202) 755-0344 O'Neill {202) 755-0344 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1976 PCBS REPORTED IN MllM OF NURSING MOTHERS The Environmental Protection Agency today released initial findings of a sampling of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the milk of nursing mothers. The findings axe based on analysis of 67 samples repre- senting the first results of the study that involves about 1,000 samples~ these 67 samples were collected nine months or more ago. Analysis of all 1,000 samples, plus confirmatory analysis on selected samples, is expected to be completed early next year. Detectable levels have been found in 65 of the 67 samples analysed to date.- The average level is about 1.7 parts per million (ppm) in the fat of-¦ the mothers milk. The samples analysed to date are from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Korth Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia* The findings were reported by investigators at Colorado State University under contract to EPA. Initial results of the sainpling liave been transmitted to the Department of Health, Education and Welfare for considera- tion of the human health implications. HEW and EPA are jointly sponsoring a meeting with representatives of appropriate organisations to review and evaluate these results. The mothers are being informed of their particular levels. (more) firtam IM« tJwrt H K«' 0° NOT Vtnft IP ftcrfy* D. "r If th»hjS» tA «ak!n*fr"j» O (mdtc+W cKengt. Including tip wit). EPA FORM J&KM {REV, 6-T21 R-245 ------- -2- During the past year* SPA has initiated a large number of programs vmdercaxrently available regulatory authorities to reduce environmental discharges of PCBs into the environment.. These activities >¦/ being carried oiat in cooperation with Federal and State agencies and Kith the scientific and industrial cosKKmities > ax« directed pritoari ly to Ural ting dis charges from manufacturing facilities# refincing the likelihood of accidental discharges, and encouraging rapid introduction of replacements of PCBs. Attached are the results of-the 67 samples and a map showing the States and number of samples remaining to be suaalyzed* # ## ¦R : deposit HjflHclilSf u , US EPA • eadquarters and nhemir~i • • EPA We** RMn d -'brar/es - V es, hidg Room 3340 *->aucQde 3404T '^Common Ave NW DC 20004 Oc-566-0556 ------- PCBs (parts per million on a fat basis) In Milk of Nursing Mothers By State Florida 4*1 North Carolina 3.2 1.9 2.4 2.8 3.1 1,2 4.4 *4 1.7 .2 2.5 1.8 1.2 Georgia Maryland Michigan New Jersey .5 2.5 10.6 1.2 2*2 1.7 .9 .7 1.3 1.3 .7 .B 1.8 1.3 1.0 .9 .5 2.7 1.6 .7 1.0 2.9 4.0 .4 1.8 Pormsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Virginia 1.5 1.1 1.8 2.3 1.3 .2 2.4 .7 2.2 1.7 1.1 3.9 1.8 1.0 2,3 1.5 3.1 .9 1.6 .4 1.2 1.5 .3 0.0 2.3 0.0 .5 2.2 ------- ^SrADO sfATi Uft!VERSffY TOTAL SAMPLES 1015 (7m! OF MILK OR:MORE) 38 V* 1 X ]TJ ALASKA I A I HAWAII (( j INDICAtES SAMPLES ALREADY ANALYZED Cvjjjp*—%r*"Tfg ~T *" fnXWtAr ® .1'^^' ITimr re fW ------- |