PCBs- ‘Put Care Back’ (Report On The Hudson River Scandal) By: Jonathan Webb November 25, 2003

Agenda Background on Waterways Background on Waterways Background and Makeup of PCBs Background and Makeup of PCBs Effects of PCBs on Environment and Humans Effects of PCBs on Environment and Humans The Socioeconomic Impact of PCBs The Socioeconomic Impact of PCBs History General Electric Debate History General Electric Debate Cleaning Strategies Cleaning Strategies Public Involvement and Go Home Knowing… Public Involvement and Go Home Knowing…

History of Waterways Watersheds and rivers have always been the driving force behind: economic prosperity means of transportation our playgrounds inspiration for artists Fueled much of the Industrial Revolution carried the developing technology Waterways were forgotten the introduction of the automobile treated as disposal areas for the past half century Fact: Most New York residents thought the Hudson River was dead. The Last 50 Years PCBs have destroyed the Hudson River still people do not know what PCBs are OR: how they got in the river

History of PCBs PCB stands for polychlorinated biphenyl PCB stands for polychlorinated biphenyl Fluid that is related to dioxins. Fluid that is related to dioxins. Does not create heat, burn or conduct electricity ie. transformers and capacitors Does not create heat, burn or conduct electricity ie. transformers and capacitors Electrical products manufactured by the General Electric Company. Electrical products manufactured by the General Electric Company. GE established two new plants: GE established two new plants: Hudson Falls and Fort Edward Hudson Falls and Fort Edward PCBs band by EPA- 1.3 million pounds already were released into the Hudson River PCBs band by EPA- 1.3 million pounds already were released into the Hudson River

What are PCBs? Oily fluid and does not biodegrade Oily fluid and does not biodegrade Extremely lipophilic and are poorly excreted Extremely lipophilic and are poorly excreted Is easily passed down the food chain Is easily passed down the food chain Can also become airborne and then inhaled by land organisms Can also become airborne and then inhaled by land organisms

The Effects On The Environment It has become a Superfund Site The food chain continues from the Hudson River and moves to the land organisms.  Birds were unable to build nests, had infertile eggs, abandon their nests, and display odd behavior.  Physical deformities were apparent such as tumors and twisted beaks.  Essential aquatic marine plants die off with heightened levels of PCBs and throws off the food chain from another point

The Effects Of PCBs On Humans Reproductive and developmental abnormalities Children with neurological and motor control problems, lower intelligence, and an insufficient short-term memory. Children with neurological and motor control problems, lower intelligence, and an insufficient short-term memory. Low birth weight and smaller head sizes. Low birth weight and smaller head sizes. Disrupt immune system and thyroid hormones. Retarded growth, delayed puberty, decreased sperm counts in males, and genital malformations. Unusual production of lymphocytes which and lead to a greater susceptibility to sickness Unusual production of lymphocytes which and lead to a greater susceptibility to sickness

The Economic Impact 90 million dollar fishing industry Tourism and commercial industries have also suffered The real estate industry has seen a massive drop in sales around this 200 stretch of river

The History and Current Debate History G.E. was the largest producer and discharger of PCBs. G.E. was the largest producer and discharger of PCBs. General Electric Company had dumped tons of toxic PCBs into the Hudson and was guilty of violating environmental laws. (1975) General Electric Company had dumped tons of toxic PCBs into the Hudson and was guilty of violating environmental laws. (1975) Removal of 100,000 pounds of PCBs from highly concentrated areas of PCBs Removal of 100,000 pounds of PCBs from highly concentrated areas of PCBsToday Refusal to pay for the clean-up Refusal to pay for the clean-up G.E. has spent millions on their media blitz G.E. has spent millions on their media blitz G.E. squeezing their way out of dealing with the PCB issue the right way ie. using navigational dredging G.E. squeezing their way out of dealing with the PCB issue the right way ie. using navigational dredging Buying time to have their representatives pass laws. Buying time to have their representatives pass laws.

Cleaning Strategies Environmental dredging Minimizes the resuspension of sediment which might contain PCBs. ‘hotspots’ are immediately going to be dealt with Environmental dredging uses special technology – cameras, GPS, nets, suction, appropriate disposal ** Navigational dredging is not appropriate ** Navigational dredging is not appropriate Is not meant to be dealing with toxic substances. Other Option No action to take place- idea turned down by the EPA. No longer a valid option.

Recommendations and Main Points Do not believe G.E.’s media blitz! Write letters of concern to your state representatives Donate some of your time - hand out information packets – get involved Join an action group- strength in numbers Donate some money This had gone on long enough.