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^ PCBs SUPERFUND SITE
'ty.	Region 2; NJ, NX PR, VI • 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007

Hudson River Floodplain

Summer 2019 Update

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is dedicated to
its work of protecting public health and the environment
from polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination. Now
that dredging has been completed to remove contaminated
sediment from the river bottom in a 40-mile section of
the Upper Hudson River, EPA is focused on addressing
contaminated sediment that may have washed onto shore
and deposited on land in the Upper Hudson River in the past.

The Hudson River periodically overflows its banks and
inundates the adjacent land area. This area, known as
the floodplain, temporarily stores the excess water. Soil
within floodplain areas may appear wet and muddy. It
is in these more frequently flooded areas, where flood
deposits have accumulated, that people may be exposed
to soil contaminated with PCBs, A substantial amount of
contaminated sediment has been dredged from the Upper
Hudson, therefore the potential for future contamination
of the floodplain is expected to be reduced. Potential
recontamination is being evaluated as part of the ongoing
comprehensive study of the floodplain and mud washed
onto shore after flooding continues to be sampled.

The purpose of the current EPA investigation is to determine
where, and at what concentrations, PCBs are present in the
43-mile-long stretch of the Hudson River floodplain between
Hudson Falls and Troy, New York. Work that was conducted
in 2018 is part of the ongoing comprehensive investigation
and included the collection of soil, sediment, and water
samples for PCB analysis.

In 2018, an additional 191 soil samples were collected from
over 65 properties, bringing the total number of soil samples
collected in the floodplain to approximately 8,200. General
Electric (GE) is conducting the sampling work, which is
being overseen by the EPA in close coordination with the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
(NYSDEC) and Department of Health (NYSDOH). Additional
sampling is planned for 2019.

Sampling was also conducted in areas of the floodplain that
contain standing water and sediment. The 2018 sampling
effort included the collection of 33 sediment samples and
10 water samples. Consistent with sampling in previous
seasons, the results from 2018 will be used to inform the
ongoing comprehensive study of the floodplain and the
2018 results from each property have been distributed to the
individual property owners.

In areas with elevated concentrations of PCBs, the EPA
and GE have implemented short-term response actions
to reduce the potential for people to be exposed to PCBs.
These actions typically include a soil cover with grass turf
or signage and are considered temporary, pending the final
cleanup decision for the floodplain. To date, 67 areas have

Hudson River Floodplain

been addressed by these short-term response actions. The
EPA and NYSDEC review all sampling results as they are
received to determine whether immediate action is needed
to address potential exposures to PCB contamination.

As part of the comprehensive study, soil, sediment and
water samples will be used to conduct a human health risk
assessment and an ecological risk assessment. These
assessments are conducted to evaluate potential risks from
exposure to PCBs to humans and animals in the floodplain.
The risk assessments will be undertaken in multiple
phases; GE has provided EPA with draft versions of the
first phase of these reports: the screening level ecological
risk assessment and the human health screening level
assessment. These reports are under review by EPA.

EPA's goal is to address areas along the shoreline of the
Upper Hudson in a way that is protective of people's health.

Additional information about the floodplain study and the
Superfund cleanup process is available on EPA's Hudson
River PCBs project webpage: www.epa.gov/hudson.

For more information:

For more information or questions about the Hudson
River floodplain investigation or the Hudson River
PCBs Superfund site, you can contact:

Larisa Romanowski
Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. EPA Hudson River Office
(518) 407-0400

epahrfo@outlook.com

Floodplain
Study Area

Typical Floodplain Properties


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Minimizing Exposure to PCBs in Floodplain Soil

Considering that PCBs could be present in the floodplain, residents should take simple precautions to minimize potential
exposures when spending time in floodplain areas. In the Hudson River floodplain, the best way people can reduce their
exposure to PCBs is to be aware that PCBs may exist in soil in frequently flooded areas near the riverbank's edge and to
take prudent precautions when using these areas. NYSDOH recommends that people take the following precautions:

•	Children may come into direct contact with PCB-contaminated soil while playing or digging in the floodplain soil.
To reduce potential exposures, children's hands, feet, and toys should be washed after playing or digging in the
dirt, especially before eating.

•	Avoid tracking soil and mud from potentially contaminated areas into your home by rinsing off shoes that may
have sediment or soil on them. Additionally, wipe your pet's feet before it enters your home.

•	Avoid digging in and relocating soil from the areas where frequent flooding occurs.

•	Wash soil from skin whenever possible, especially after working in areas where flooding occurs. To further reduce
exposures, minimize skin contact when working in soil by wearing clothing such as gloves, shoes, and long pants.

•	Gardening and eating homegrown vegetables are not major sources of PCB exposure for most people. This is
because PCBs are generally found in low-lying areas next to the river, which are usually not good for residential
gardening due to frequent flooding. Should you choose to garden in a low-lying area next to the river, be sure to
thoroughly wash and/or peel vegetables grown there. This will help remove soil that adheres to the vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is sampling needed and how will the data be used?

The sampling is part of a comprehensive investigation, called a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS). The goal
of the RI/FS is to determine the nature and extent of the PCB contamination in the Upper Hudson River floodplain, identify
potential human health and environmental risks, and evaluate options for cleaning up the site. The data will be used in
conjunction with existing data to determine where PCBs are present and improve the EPA's understanding of the distribution
of PCBs in the Upper Hudson River floodplain. More information about the RI/FS for the Hudson River floodplain and the
Superfund cleanup process is available in fact sheets that can be found at: www.epa.gov/hudson.

The data collected from the sampling will be used to evaluate the risk of exposure to PCBs to both humans and biota
(plants and animals). These risk assessments will be used to support the evaluation of cleanup approaches to address
contamination in the floodplain.

Will my property be sampled?

Not all properties will be sampled as part of the data collection effort. Sample locations will be selected based on the
likelihood that PCBs are present in the floodplain. Depending on the location and characteristics of a property, GE may
contact a property owner to request access to conduct soil, sediment, or biota sampling. Multiple visits to a property could
occur so that the presence of PCBs can be evaluated.

Will any actions be taken if PCBs are found on my property?

The RI/FS is the first step in evaluating the need for a cleanup in the floodplain. The EPA will use the information from the
RI/FS to determine if a cleanup is needed on your property.

Prior to the completion of the comprehensive study, actions will be taken as necessary to address exposures related to PCB
contamination. Actions would be based on several factors, including the level of PCB contamination detected, the current
setting or use of an area (e.g., recreational, residential, commercial), and how frequently an area is used. In the past, in the
Upper Hudson River floodplain, these actions have primarily consisted of the installation of topsoil and grass cover material
to prevent direct contact with PCBs. Signs to warn people that PCBs are present have been placed in areas that are used
infrequently. These actions are considered temporary. Final work will take place once the assessment is done and specific
scopes of work needed to address contamination are determined.

www.epa.gov/hudson

003239.0005.05.30


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