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

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-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

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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

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TOTAL SAMPLES 1015 (7m! OF MILK OR:MORE)

38
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(( j INDICAtES SAMPLES ALREADY ANALYZED
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