RETURN TO SER AR INDEX UPDATE ON FISH/SHELLFISH TESTING New Bedford Harbor New Bedford, MA U.S. EPA I HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM AT EPA NEW ENGLAND THE SUPERFUND PROGRAM protects human health and the environment by investigating and cleaning up often-abandoned hazardous waste sites and engaging communities throughout the process. Many of these sites are complex and need long-term cleanup actions. Those responsible for contamination are held liable for cleanup costs. EPA strives to return previously contaminated land and groundwater to productive use. SITE DESCRIPTION: The U.S. EPA has been committed to the New Bedford Harbor (NBH) cleanup since the 1980s, following discovery of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment and fish and designation to the national priority list of Superfund sites in 1983. In 1998, EPA proposed a dredging remedy for the Upper and Lower harbors, and full scale dredging started in 2004. Remediation is ongoing, with dredging typically occurring in the summer. In 2009, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the availability of recovery act funds to help speed up the current cleanup timeframe for the harbor cleanup. PARTNERING As part of the NBH site monitoring, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has conducted annual fish and shellfish sampling to determine whether PCB concentrations in NBH fish and shellfish are declining as a result of cleanup activities. In general, PCB concentra- tions have indeed decreased from the 1980s to the pres- ent in most species, although concerns remain as discussed herein. Fish and shellfish sampling will continue throughout the cleanup efforts, and updates to this fact sheet will be issued as appropriate. ASSESSMENT The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has also had extensive involvement with NBH in order to address a variety of health concerns. In 1979, MDPH promulgated state regulations prohibiting the consump- tion of any fish/shellfish in Area 1 of NBH; of bottom feeding fish (eel, scup, flounder, and tautog) or lobster in Area 2; and lobster in Area 3 (see attached map). These early efforts were followed by human epidemiological studies of PCB exposure via fish consumption by MDPH and others. MDPH has additional advice for sensitive populations (pregnant women, nursing mothers, children under age 12, women who may become pregnant) that can befoundatwww.mass.gov/dph/fishadvisories. EPA supports this additional advice, and notes that its updat- ed risk assessment (discussed below) recommends that sensitive populations avoid fish, shellfish and lobster from the three closure areas in NBH (see map on reverse) except that shellfish from Area 3 and Clark's cove may safely be consumed by these sensitive populations if lim- ited to one meal per month. RECOMMENDATIONS As part of the Superfund process, EPA is required to con- duct risk assessments that will result in cleanup levels that the selected remedy for a given site must meet. These risk assessments use conservative (health-protective) as- sumptions to ensure that even sensitive populations will not have health concerns following completion of reme- diation activities. In the case of NBH and the risk assess- ment conducted on fish/shellfish in the closed areas of the harbor, EPA's updated evaluation indicates that some species not currently covered by the 1979 state regula- tions may present health concerns for recreational fisher- men and sheil fishermen (and/or their families/friends who consume their take) if these species are consumed in larger quantities than current epidemiological data continued on next page > KEY CONTACTS: DAVE DICKERSON U.S. EPA Project Manager (617) 918-1329 dickerson .dave@epa.gov KELSEY O'NEIL U.S. EPA Community Involvement Coordinator (617) 918-1799 oneil.kelsey@epa.gov JOSEPH COYNE MassDEP (617) 348-4066 joseph.coyne@state.ma.us GENERAL INFO: EPA NEW ENGLAND 5 Post Office Sq., Suite 100 Boston, MA 02109-3912 TOLL-FREE CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-888-EPA-7341 LEARN MORE AT: www.epa.gov/ne/nbh &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency ) printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste, using vegetable-based inks September 2010 SDMS DocID 299760 ------- Mishaum Point Acushnet New Bedford Mattapoisett Toggcshall Street Brdf Fairhaven hurricane I t barrier Ricketson's Poinl Original Fishing Ban (in effect 1979-present) per Massachusetts Department of Public Health Dartmouth New Bedford Acushnet Mattapoisett ^Coggeshall Street Bridge Fairhaven @ hurricane ( barrier Wilbur Point Ricketson's Point Black Sea Bass: lmeal per month Dartmouth Black Sea Bass: lmeal per month Shellfish: lmeal per month (Clark's Cove lmeal per week) Updated 2010 EPA Recommendations for Recreational Fishermen/Shellfishermen per Sitpei liind Risk Assessment with additional species highlighted* *sensitive populations^see reverse ior more information m Do NOT eat shellfish No coma mariscos Nao coma mariscos Do NOT eat fish No coma pescado Nao coma peixe Do NOT eat lobster No coma langosta Nao coma lagosta continued from front » suggest, EPA believes it is important that recreational fishermen and shell-fishermen be aware that the risk assessment suggests that: consumption of black sea bass be limited to one meal per month if they are obtained in Areas 2 and 3; that scup not be consumed from Areas 2 or 3; and that general guidelines for shellfish include limiting consumption to one meal a month in Area 2 and one meal a week in Area 3. See map above for a summary of EPA's recommendations. It is important to recognize the substantial benefits of fish consumption for everyone. Fish is one of the best sources of fatty acids which are helpful in reducing the risk of heart disease. In order to avoid exposure to a harmful level of contaminants, people should choose a variety of fish and shellfish from a variety of sources. Do NOT eat bottom feeding fish: No coma pescado de fondo: Nao coma peixe de fundo: •flounder ¦ lenguado > solha •scup • sargo • sargo •tautog •tautoga • bodiao da ostra •eel •anguila •anguila v=,EPA September 2010 ------- |