Post on 02-Oct-2020
Pottersburg Creek PCB Site & the
Blood Survey Study
Presentation at CIPHI 78th Conference
September 18, 2012
Iqbal Kalsi Project Manager PCB Blood Survey Study & Manager Environmental Health, Health Hazards, Preventative &
Vector Borne Disease, Emergency Response
Middlesex-London Health Unit
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs
• PCBs are toxic substances and highly
resistant to degradation
• Safe elimination is best option for these
contaminants
PCBs - Ban
North American Ban In 1977
PCBs - Uses
Widely used as coolants and lubricants in
transformers, capacitors and other
electrical equipment
Ingredients in industrial materials (e.g.
caulking and sealing compounds, cutting
oils, inks and paint additives)
Pottersburg Creek Storage Site
Background
One of the largest PCB contaminated
material storage site in Canada since
1984
PCBs - Environment
• Air
• Water
• Soil
• Fat Soluble (Lipophilic)
PCB - Human Exposure
Ingestion of Food
PCBs - Health Effects
Acute, High Level Exposure
• Severe form of acne
• Swelling of upper eyelids
• Discolouring of nails and skin
• Numbness of the arms and/or legs
• Weakness
• Muscle spasms
PCBs - Health Effects
Long Term, High Level Exposure
• International Agency For Research On Cancer
(IARC)
• Most are Probable Human Carcinogen (Category
2a), however, PCB 126 was recently categorized
as Carcinogen (Category 1)
1984 • MOE Order to Westinghouse
• Storage Site created on Westinghouse Property
• Vault 1 established
1984 & ‘85
• Clean up of Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain sediment s and bank soils
• MOE acquired portion of Westinghouse Property
• Construction of 3 additional storage Vaults
• MOE purchased the site
History of the Pottersburg PCB
Storage Site
Pottersburg PCB Storage Site Vault Year
Source of PCB Materials Total Volume Range of PCBs (ppm)
1984
Cell #1
Westinghouse property
Soil around transformer oil storage
Drain along south side of property
Catch basin sediments
4.570 cu. yds 20 – 29,000
1985
Cell #2
Walker Drain and the area of Pottersburg Creek running through and immediately downstream from the GM Diesel property on Oxford Street
10,941 total
4,600 cu. yds from Walker Drain
6,341 cu. yds from GM Diesel
0 – 6,693
20 - 120
1986
Cell #3
Pottersburg Creek from Walker Drain to Third Street
14,825 cu. yds 20 - 190
1987
Cell #4
Pottersburg Creek from Third Street to Kiwanis Park
16,098 cu. yds 20 – 210
TOTAL 46,434 cu. yds
(35,500 m3 =78,000 tonnes)
Pottersburg Creek Health Study
1985 - 1986
After a major site cleanup from Westinghouse/ABB property, and the nearby Walker Drain & Pottersburg Creek undertaken by MOE.
Area Residents raised potential concerns about their exposure to PCBs and potential associated health effects.
1985/86 Pottersburg Creek Study
Main Objective:
To determine whether those who were most likely
to have been exposed to the PCB contaminated
soil and sediment had higher blood PCB levels
than people who would only be exposed through
food.
1985/86 Pottersburg Creek Study
Main Finding:
The mean PCB blood level for the Pottersburg
Creek residents was significantly lower than
that of the non-occupational laboratory
control group.
1985/86 Pottersburg Creek Study
Conclusions
1. “The lack of a demonstrable relationship between
exposure to creek sediments and blood PCB levels
supports the hypothesis that it is unlikely that
significant exposure has occurred from this source”.
2. “Adverse short or long term health effects are unlikely
to occur from the levels of PCBs in this population”.
New Federal PCB Regulations
• In September 2008, feds passed a regulation
that required the removal of all in-storage
PCB waste to an approved PCB destruction
facility by December 31, 2009.
• Bennett Environmental Facility in Quebec
was selected and ~114,000 tonnes of PCB
were destroyed.
Thermal Oxidation Process
Pottersburg Creek Storage Site
Decommissioning March 2008 Provincial Government allocates
$56 million
April 30, 2008 Public Meeting, CAW Hall
May 9, 2008 MOE Public Meeting, North
London Optimist Centre
December 2009 Completion of PCB Material
removal from the site
Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey
Study (2008 – 2009)
Again, with the announcement of decommissioning in 2008 similar
concerns were raised by both area residents and former employees of the
plant. In response to these health concerns a study was commissioned.
September 2010
May 9, 2012
Primary Purpose
To provide persons who are most likely to have
been exposed to PCBs in connection with
Pottersburg Creek and the Westinghouse/ABB
Plant with a free service to have their blood
tested for PCBs and be part of the initiated
study.
Secondary Purpose
To determine whether the Pottersburg Creek
group has, on average, blood levels of PCBs
which are significantly higher than what one
would expect based on usual PCB exposure
through eating a normal diet.
Objectives of the Study
To quantify PCB specific congener concentrations in the blood serum:
1. In former Westinghouse/ABB employees
2. Area residents of Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain
3. Area residents who used Pottersburg Creek/Drain for recreational purposes
4. Compare with reference population of London residents without known exposure
5. Communicate the results to community & individuals.
Inclusion Criteria for PCB Blood
Survey Study • Live or lived in the area of interest
• Worked at the Westinghouse/ABB plant
(Occupational Exposure)
• Played in the Pottersburg Creek as child or used
the area for recreation
• Were part of the 1985 PCB Blood Survey
• Live in another part of London with no known
exposure to PCBs (reference group)
Occupational Exposure
Subgroups • Worked with PCB containing fluids/materials at
Westinghouse/ABB
• Worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not handle PCB containing fluids/material
• Did not work at Westinghouse/ABB but did work elsewhere with PCB containing fluids/materials
• Worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not handle PCB containing fluids/materials but did elsewhere
• Worked with PCB containing fluids/materials at Westinghouse/ABB and elsewhere
MLHU PCB Team
PCB Blood Survey
Projected Timelines 2009
PCB Blood Survey – Final
Timelines
Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey
Recruitment Strategy
Open House Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Huron Heights Public School, 1245 Michael Street, London
Research Ethics Board Approval
Research Ethics Board formal approval
on May 1, 2009, however, verbal
approval was granted in early April.
As recommended by the Community Liasion Committee (CLC), other Blood Survey recruitment strategies included:
• Advertisements in the London Free Press
• Advertisement on MLHU website
• Recruitment flyer circulated by CLC and sent to 81 local agencies
** Recruitment activities began on April 24, 2009. May 14th was set as the recruitment deadline; however, due to the community’s overwhelming response, this deadline was extended until June 3rd.
Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey
Recruitment Strategy
• The Research Team developed a screening questionnaire to collect participants’ background information.
• CCI Research (Consulting Firm) was hired and administered the telephone questionnaire as follows:
• CCI called each person up to 10 times (CCI’s standard procedure).
• If the questionnaire was not completed after 10 attempts, MLHU contacted the individual twice (when possible, a message was also left asking that the call be returned).
• The names of those who spoke with MLHU & confirmed they wished to participate were sent back to CCI to be called an additional five times for survey completion.
• A total of 17 times some of these participants were called.
PCB Blood Survey
Participant Screening Process
MLHU - PCB
Survey Team
N=558 While 592 individuals
originally contacted
MLHU, the PCB Survey
Team was unable to
contact 17 (i.e., 2 phone
out of service, 2
undeliverable email, 13
only email provided and
did not respond to
follow-up email).
Therefore, contact
information for the
remaining individuals
who volunteered for
participation was
provided to CCI for
eligibility screening
interviews. (N= 575-
duplicates)
CCI
Research CCI called each of
the 558 individuals
up to ten times to
complete the
interview.
CCI could not
leave messages
due to
confidentiality.
Completed N=483 As a result of CCI’s initial calls,
444 individuals completed a
screening interview. Individuals
completing the interview also
identified 116 potential
comparators. As per the
Research Team’s required
sample size, only 100 of these
comparators completed a
screening interview.
Refused N=11 Eleven individuals refused to
answer the eligibility screening
interview and therefore cannot be
included in the Blood Survey.
Terminated N=59 After 10 attempts by CCI, if the
interview was not completed
the Survey Team contacted the
individual twice, leaving a
message requesting that their
call be returned, if required.
The names of those individuals
who spoke with the Survey
Team and still wished to
participate were sent to CCI to
be called an additional five
times.
Moved/ Wrong Number/ Not
in Service N= 5
Re-Terminated
N=23 These individuals either did
not return the Survey
Team’s call or did not
complete the interview
during one of CCI’s
additional five attempts.
Complete N= 36
Blood Survey
Appointments to
Schedule N=620 Originals: 483+36 = 519
Potential comparators: 100
Additional respondent: 1
The Research Team identified
one additional person as having
both occupational & creek-
related exposure & therefore
requested that the Survey Team
administer the screening
interview to this person prior to
blood collection.
PCB Blood Survey
Participant Screening Process
PCB Blood Survey
Participant Screening Summary 92% Completed Screening Questionnaire
4% Terminated
2% Refused to Answer Questionnaire
1% Moved/ Wrong Number/ Not in Service
1% Not able to contact
100 potential “reference group” participants
were also identified by CCI and completed the
screening questionnaire.
Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey
Blood Collection
July Blood Collection Dates: – July 7th,8th, 14th - 16th, 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
– Saturday July 18th, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
** To accommodate participants, a seventh collection date was held on Tuesday August 11th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
88% Blood Sample Completed
7% No Show
3.5% Withdrew/Refused participation
1% Not able to contact
0.5% Unavailable on Blood Collection
Dates
Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey
Blood Collection Summary
Blood Sample Analysis
• The samples were received by the CDC
on July 23rd and August 18th.
• All samples were accounted for upon
arrival in Atlanta.
• The analysis results were received from
CDC in October & sent to the Research
Team for interpretation & reporting.
PCB congener
(IUPAC number)
LOD
(ppt)
PCB
congener
(IUPAC
number)
LOD
(ppt)
PCB
congener
(IUPAC
number)
LOD
(ppt)
PCB-28 10 PCB-118 2.5 PCB-110 2.5
PCB-52 4.5 PCB-105 2.5 PCB-118 2.5
PCB-49 2.5 PCB-151 2.5 PCB-105 2.5
PCB-44 2.5 PCB-149 2.5 PCB-151 2.5
PCB-74 2.5 PCB-146 2.5 PCB-128 2.5
PCB-66 2.7 PCB-153 2.5 PCB-167 2.5
PCB-101 2.5 PCB-138-158 2.5 PCB-156 2.5
PCB-99 2.5 PCB-149 2.5 PCB-157 2.5
PCB-87 2.5 PCB-146 2.5 PCB-178 2.5
PCB-110 2.5 PCB-153 2.5 PCB-187 2.5
Table I. Limits of detection (LOD) for PCB-specific congeners measured.
Figure 3. Distribution of all study subjects by gender in the exposed (O)
vs. reference (R) populations who completed questionnaires. Note that
seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or were excluded from the
study for other reasons.
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Exposed 47.16% 52.84%
Control 67.12% 32.88%
Female Male
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Exposed 1.89% 22.11% 58.74% 17.26%
Control 5.48% 28.77% 57.53% 8.22%
18-24 25-44 45-64 65+
Figure 4. Distribution of study subjects in age groups in the exposed (O)
vs. reference (R) population. Note that seven subjects did not provide a
blood sample or were excluded from the study for other reasons.
Figure 5a. Consumption Exposure – Ever eaten fish from the Pottersburg
Creek. Note that seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or were
excluded from the study for other reasons.
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Exposed 2.53% 97.47%
Control 0.00% 100.00%
Yes No/Don't Know
Figure 5b. Consumption Exposure – Ever eaten sport fish from
elsewhere. Note that seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or
were excluded from the study for other reasons.
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Exposed 15.58% 84.42%
Control 15.07% 84.93%
Yes No/Don't Know
Figure 5c. Consumption Exposure – Ever eaten wild game. Note that
seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or were excluded from the
study for other reasons.
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
90.00%
100.00%
Exposed 6.11% 93.89%
Control 4.11% 95.89%
Yes No/Don't Know
Ingestion (Dietary) Exposure
• As, this is an important PCB exposure pathway it needed to be assessed.
• The survey questionnaire assessed for contaminated sport fish caught & consumed from Pottersburg Creek and wild game meat consumed information was relatively very small in both exposed and reference groups.
• Due to its statistical insignificance (exposure group similar to reference) decision was made not to
include it from the survey study.
PCB Congeners Below LOD
• Out of the 37 PCB serum congeners quantified in men (n=274) and women n=267), 13 were below level of detection (LOD) in greater than 30 % of serum samples studied in both men and women.
• PCB Congeners that were below the level of detection in greater than 30% of serum samples studied in both men and women (PCB 28, 52, 49, 44 66, 87, 101, 110, 128, 149, 151, 189, & 123)
• Therefore, they were not included in further statistical analysis.
PCB Congeners Analyzed
• PCBs of historical markers were PCB-28, 52, 101, 118, 138/158, 153 & 180
• Mono-ortho substituted were PCB-49,44,66,105,114,123,156,157,167,&189
• Highly Chlorinated were PCB-74, 87, 99, 110,128, 146, 149, 151, 170, 172, 177, 178, 183, 187, 194, 195, 196/203, 199, 206 & 209.
• Above PCBs were detected in the majority of participants in 45-64 and >64 years and rarely in 18-24 & 25-44 years of age.
• PCB specific congener concentrations in serum were quantified using high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) at CDC Atlanta labs.
• London plant used Aroclor 1264 as commercial PCB mixture for manufacturing of electrical transformers and capacitors during its operational years (late 1950s to mid 1980s ~30 yrs).
Table IV. Mean (+ SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in
70% or more of the samples studied of men who self-report occupational exposure in PCB vs. men from a reference population
without exposure to PCBs. Difference between exposure group medians were determined suing Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener Occupational
exposure (n=55)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value Congener
Occupational
exposure (n=55)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value
PCB-74 62.5 ± 21.8 (21.0) 9.7 ± 5.2(4.3) <0.001 PCB-183 4.9 ± 0.5(3.8) 2.2 ± 0.4(1.7) <0.001
PCB-99 14.8 ± 2.6 (7.9) 4.9 ± 1.7(3.0) <0.001 PCB-172 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 1.2 ± 0.3(1.1) <0.001
PCB-118 21.3 ± 3.3 (12.6) 5.4 ± 0.9(4.1) <0.001 PCB-180 66.2 ± 6.6(47.4) 28.7 ± 4.2(24.8) <0.001
PCB-105 4.2 ± 0.7 (2.5) 1.1 ± 0.2(0.9) <0.001 PCB-170 27.9 ± 3.5(19.0) 10.9 ± 1.7(9.6) <0.001
PCB-146 11.9 ± 2.3 (6.1) 3.6 ± 0.8(3.0) <0.001 PCB-199 19.2 ± 2.7(9.9) 5.8 ± 1.3(4.2) <0.001
PCB-153 82.4 ± 13.0 (48.4) 30.6 ± 5.4(24.5) <0.001 PCB-196/203 14.2 ± 1.6(8.2) 5.7 ± 1.1(4.8) <0.001
PCB-138/158 53.3 ± 11.1 (29.1) 17.7 ± 4.4(13.9) <0.001 PCB-195 2.5 ± 0.2(2.0) 1.2 ± 0.2(1.1) <0.001
PCB-156 21.6 ± 5.2 (9.0) 5.4 ± 1.2(4.2) <0.001 PCB-194 15.7 ± 1.4(11.9) 6.7 ± 1.1(4.8) <0.001
PCB-157 5.4 ± 1.3 (2.4) 1.3 ± 0.3(1.1) <0.001 PCB-206 10.1 ± 1.6(5.4) 2.7 ± 0.6(2.1) <0.001
PCB178 5.0 ± 0.5 (3.6) 2.0 ± 0.4(1.8) <0.001 PCB-209 3.8 ± 0.5(2.4) 1.3 ± 0.2(1.0) <0.001
PCB-187 17.7 ± 1.9 (12.2) 6.4 ± 1.2(5.3) <0.001 PCB-114 4.9 ± 1.2(1.7)
0.8 ± 0.3(0.6) <0.001
Table V. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in
70% or more of the samples studied of women who self-report occupational exposure to PCB vs. women from a reference
population without exposure to PCBs. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank
sum test
Congener Occupational
exposure (n=8)
Reference
population
(n=50)
p
value
Congener
Occupational
exposure
(n=55)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p
value
PCB-74 56.3 ± 20.931.6 6.7 ± 1.0 4.4 0.004 PCB-183 4.1 ± 1.2(2.2) 1.8 ± 0.2(1.4) 0.046
PCB-99 9.8 ± 3.6(3.9) 3.6 ± 0.4(2.9) 0.043 PCB-172 3.2 ± 1..1(2.5) 0.8 ± 0.1(0.5) 0.036
PCB-118 30.1 ± 15.0(15.3) 7.6 ± 1.2(4.4) 0.032 PCB-180 65.1 ± 19.4(48.3) 17.7 ±
1.9(15.5)
0.005
PCB-105 5.8 ± 3.3(2.4) 1.5 ± 0.2(0.9) 0.049 PCB-170 27.5 ± 9.2(17.6) 6.6 ± 0.7(6.4) 0.004
PCB-146 9.7 ± 3.8(5.9) 2.3 ± 0.3(1.8) 0.007 PCB-199 15.0 ± 4.2(12.8) 3.4 ± 0.4(3.3) 0.002
PCB-153 74.3 ± 27.3(40.6) 21.0 ±
2.0(16.5)
0.010 PCB-196/203 12.6 ± 3.2(10.4) 3.7 ± 0.4(3.0) 0.003
PCB-
138/158
35.4 ± 12.9(19.3) 12.4 ± 1.3(9.4) 0.026 PCB-195 2.3 ± 0.6(2.0) 0.8 ± 0.1(0.7) 0.005
PCB-156 15.2 ± 6.9(9.6) 3.0 ± 0.4(2.5) 0.004 PCB-194 13.9 ± 3.6(13.3) 4.0 ± 0.5(3.3) 0.004
PCB-157 3.5 ± 1.7(2.0) 0.7 ± 0.1(0.5) 0.003 PCB-206 7.3 ± 1.9(6.5) 1.8 ± 0.2(1.4) 0.002
PCB-178 5.9 ± 2.0(4.3) 1.2 ± 0.2(1.1) 0.008 PCB-209 3.0 ± 0.8(2.8) 0.9 ± 0.1(0.7) 0.008
PCB-187 17.9 ± 5.7(10.9) 4.5 ± 0.5(3.6) 0.008 PCB-114 3.8 ± 1.8(2.2) 0.6 ± 0.1(0.4) 0.004
Table VI. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified
in 70% or more of the samples studied of men with occupational exposure to PCB containing fluids/materials
(Westinghouse/ABB plant employment only) vs. men who worked in the plant but did not handle PCB containing fluids or
materials. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener Occupational
exposure
(n=55)
Non-
Occupational
exposure
(n=34)
p value Congener
Occupational
exposure (n=55)
Non-
Occupational
exposure
(n=34)
p value
PCB-74 62.5 ± 21.8(21.0) 14.7 ± 2.2(8.7) <0.001 PCB-183 4.9 ± 0.5(3.8) 3.5 ± 0.4(2.7) 0.042
PCB-99 14.8 + 2.6 (7.9) 5.6 ± 0.7(3.4) <0.001 PCB-172 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 2.5 ± 0.3(1.9) 0.147 (NS)
PCB-118 21.3 ± 3.3(12.6) 9.5 ± 1.1(8.3) 0.002 PCB-180 66.2 ± 6.6(47.4) 48.7 ± 5.1(36.1) 0.055 (NS)
PCB-105 4.2 ± 0.7(2.5) 1.9 ± 0.3(1.3) <0.001 PCB-170 27.9 ± 3.5(19.0) 17.9 ± 1.7(14.3) 0.040
PCB-146 11.9 ± 2.3(6.1) 6.0 ± 0.7(4.6) 0.012 PCB-199 19.2 ± 2.7(9.9) 11.8 ± 1.5(8.7) 0.090 (NS)
PCB-153 82.4 ± 13.0(48.4) 45.1 ± 4.5(35.5) 0.014 PCB-196/203 14.2 ± 1.6(8.2) 10.3 ± 1.0(9.0) 0.223 (NS)
PCB-138/158 53.3 ± 11.1(29.1) 23.8 ± 2.5(18.3) 0.005 PCB-195 2.5 ± 0.2(2.0) 1.9 ± 0.2(1.6) 0.029
PCB-156 21.6 ± 5.2(9.0) 8.1 ± 0.9(6.1) 0.008 PCB-194 15.7 ± 1.4(11.9) 12.7 ± 1.5(10.1) 0.120 (NS)
PCB-157 5.4 ± 1.3(2.4) 1.9 ± 0.2(1.4) 0.003 PCB-206 10.1 ± 1.6(5.4) 5.2 ± 0.6(4.4) 0.024
PCB-178 5.0 ± 0.5(3.6) 3.5 ± 0.4(2.6) 0.04 PCB-209 3.8 ± 0.5(2.4) 2.6 ± 0.4(1.8) 0.040
PCB-187 17.7 ± 1.9(12.2) 12.6 ± 1.4(9.4) 0.06 (NS) PCB-114 4.9 ± 1.2(1.7) 1.3 ± 0.2(1.2) 0.001
Table VII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified
in 70% or more of the samples studied of men with occupational exposure to PCB containing fluids/materials
(Westinghouse/ABB plant employment only) vs. men who worked elsewhere and handled PCB containing fluids or materials.
Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener Occupational
Westinghouse/
ABB exposure
(n=55)
Occupation
Elsewhere
Exposure
(n=30)
p value Congener
Occupational
Westinghouse/
ABB exposure
(n=55)
Occupation
Elsewhere
population
(n=30)
p value
PCB-74 62.5 ± 21.8(21.0) 3.8 ± 0.5(3.1) <0.001 PCB-183 4.9 ± 0.5(3.8) 1.9 ± 0.3(1.7) <0.001
PCB-99 14.8 ± 2.6(7.9) 3.0 ± 0.4(2.5) <0.001 PCB-172 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 0.9 ± 0.2(0.9) <0.001
PCB-118 21.3 ± 3.3(12.6) 4.3 ± 0.6(3.7) <0.001 PCB-180 66.2 ± 6.6(47.4) 22.9 ±
3.6(18.8)
<0.001
PCB-105 4.2 ± 0.7(2.5) 0.9 ± 0.1(0.9) <0.001 PCB-170 27.9 ± 3.5(19.0) 9.0 ± 1.5(7.3) <0.001
PCB-146 11.9 ± 2.3(6.1) 2.6 ± 0.4(2.0) <0.001 PCB-199 19.2 ± 2.7(9.9) 4.5 ± 1.0(3.3) <0.001
PCB-153 82.4 ± 13.0(48.4) 21.8 ± 2.9(18.6) <0.001 PCB-196/203 14.2 ± 1.6(8.2) 4.8 ± 0.9(4.3) <0.001
PCB-
138/158
53.3 ± 11.1(29.1) 12.1 ± 1.6(9.8) <0.001 PCB-195 2.5 ± 0.2(2.0) 0.8 ± 0.2(0.7) <0.001
PCB-156 21.6 ± 5.2(9.0) 3.8 ± 0.6(3.5) <0.001 PCB-194 15.7 ± 1.4(11.9) 6.0 ± 1.1(5.1) <0.001
PCB-157 5.4 ± 1.3(2.4) 0.8 ± 0.2(0.6) <0.001 PCB-206 10.1 ± 1.6(5.4) 2.1 ± 0.3(1.8) <0.001
PCB-178 5.0 ± 0.5(3.6) 1.4 ± 0.3(1.2) <0.001 PCB-209 3.8 ± 0.5(2.4) 1.0 ± 0.1(1.0) <0.001
PCB-187 17.7 ± 1.9(12.2) 5.1 ± 1.1(3.6) <0.001 PCB-114 4.9 ± 1.2(1.7) 0.4 ± 0.1
(0.4)
<0.001
Table VIII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified
in 70% or more of the samples studied of men who worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not have exposure to PCBs vs. men
from a reference population without exposure to PCBs. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using
Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener Occupational
exposure (n=34)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value Congener
Occupational
exposure (n=34)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value
PCB-74 13.8 ± 2.6(8.2) 9.9 ± 5.5(4.1) 0.003 PCB-183 3.4 ± 0.4(2.7) 2.2 ± 0.5(1.7) 0.045
PCB-99 5.5 ± 0.8(3.5) 5.0 ± 1.8(3.0) 0.286
(NS)
PCB-172 2.4 ± 0.4(1.9) 1.3 ± 0.3(1.3) 0.016
PCB-118 8.8 ± 1.2(7.1) 5.4 ± 1.0(4.1) 0.022 PCB-180 17.1 ± 2.1(13.0) 28.5 ± 4.4(23.7) 0.017
PCB-105 1.8 ± 0.3(1.3) 1.1 ± 0.2(0.9) 0.100
(NS)
PCB-170 11.5 ± 1.9(7.3) 10.9 ± 1.8(8.6) 0.026
PCB-146 5.7 ± 0.9(4.6) 3.6 ± 0.8(2.7) 0.062
(NS)
PCB-199 9.9 ± 1.2(7.2) 5.8 ± 1.4(3.9) 0.007
PCB-153 43.2 ± 5.2(33.1) 31.0 ± 5.6(24.5) 0.054
(NS)
PCB-196/203 1.8 ± 0.3(1.5) 5.7 ± 1.1(4.4) 0.004
PCB-138/158 22.8 ± 2.9(18.3) 18.2 ± 4.6(13.9) 0.065
(NS)
PCB-195 12.2 ± 1.7(9.1) 1.2 ± 0.2(1.2) 0.137
(NS)
PCB-156 7.6 ± 1.0(5.6) 5.5 ± 1.2(3.8) 0.053
(NS)
PCB-194 12.2 ± 1.7(9.1) 6.7 ± 1.2(4.5) 0.004
PCB-157 1.8 ± 0.3(1.3) 1.3 ± 0.3(1.1) 0.182
(NS)
PCB-206 5.0 ± 0.8(4.4) 2.7 ± 0.6(2.0) 0.005
PCB-178 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 2.0 ± 0.4(1.5) 0.038 PCB-209 2.4 ± 0.4(1.8) 1.3 ± 0.2(1.0) 0.011
PCB-187 12.3 ± 1.8(8.9) 6.4 ± 1.3(4.9) 0.012 PCB-114 1.2 ± 0.2(1.1) 0.8 ± 0.3(0.6) 0.028
Table IX. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in
70% or more of the samples studied of women who worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not handle PCB containing fluids vs.
women from a reference population without exposure to PCBs. Differences between exposure group medians were determined
using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener
Occupational
exposure (n=55)
Reference
population (n=24) p
value
Congener
Occupational
exposure
(n=55)
Reference population
(n=24)
p value
PCB-74 20.2 ± 5.1 (12.2) 6.8 ± 1.0 (4.5) 0.001 PCB-183 3.6 ± 0.7 (2.8) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.011
PCB-99 8.9 ± 2.4 (4.1) 3.7 ± 0.4 (2.9) 0.021 PCB-172 1.8 ± 0.4 (1.7) 0.8 ± 0..1 (0.5) 0.020
PCB-118 17.3 ± 6.5 (5.8) 7.7 ± 1.2 (4.5)
0.044 PCB-180 38.9 ± 5.9
(31.7)
17.7 ± 1.9 (15.4) <0.001
PCB-105 3.7 ± 1.7 (1.2) 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.348
(NS)
PCB-170 15.2 ± 2.3
(12.7)
6.6 ± 0.7 (6.3) <0.001
PCB-146 5.8 ± 1.2 (3.9) 2.3 ± 0.3 (1.7) 0.001 PCB-199 8.2 ± 1.5 (6.1) 3.4 ± 0.4 (2.9) <0.001
PCB-153 44.3 ± 7.9 (34.0) 21.0 ± 2.1 (15.9)
0.002 PCB-
196/203
8.1 ± 1.2 (6.7) 3.7 ± 0.4 (3.2) <0.001
PCB-
138/158
27.0 ± 6.5 (17.7) 12.5 ± 1.3 (9.6) 0.017
PCB-195 1.7 ± 0.2 (1.6) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.7) <0.001
PCB-156 7.7 ± 1.6 (5.0) 3.0 ± 0.4 (2.4) <0.001 PCB-194 9.1 ± 1.4 (6.8) 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.2) <0.001
PCB-157 1.8 ± 0.4 (1.3) 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.008 PCB-206 4.0 ± 0.7 (3.3) 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.4) <0.001
PCB-178 2.9 ± 0.5 (2.3) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.0)
0.002 PCB-209 1.9 ± 0..3
(1.5)
0.9 ± 0.1 (0.6) 0.002
PCB-187 10.3 ± 1.8 (7.9) 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.5) 0.001 PCB-114 1.8 ± 0.4 (1.1) 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.4) <0.001
Table X. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in
70% or more of the samples studied of men who lived within 1-2 blocks of the Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain vs. men in the
reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener
Proximity to
Pottersburg
Creek/Walker
Drain (n=111)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value
Congener
Proximity to
Pottersburg
Creek/Walker
Drain (n=111)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value
PCB-74 5.0 ± 0.7 (3.1) 9.7 ± 5.2 (4.3) 0.063 (NS) PCB-183 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.4) 2.2 ± 0.4 (1.7) 0.553 (NS)
PCB-99 4.2 ± 0.7 (2.7) 4.9 ± 1.7 (3.0) 0.519 (NS) PCB-172 1.3 ± 0.2 (0.8) 1.2 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.686 (NS)
PCB-118 8.4 ± 2.5 (3.8) 5.4 ± 0.9 (4.1) 0.182 (NS) PCB-180 24.8 ± 2.3 (16.9) 28.7 ± 4.2
(24.8)
0.152 (NS)
PCB-105 1.7 ± 0.5 (0.8) 1.1 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.250 (NS) PCB-170 9.6 ± 1.2 (6.7) 10.9 ± 1.7 (9.6) 0.145 (NS)
PCB-146 3.3 ± 0.6 (2.0) 3.6 ± 0.8 (3.0) 0.059 (NS) PCB-199 4.6 ± 0.5 (3.0) 5.8 ± 1.3 (4.2) 0.169 (NS)
PCB-153 27.5 ± 3.8
(18.4)
30.6 ± 5.4
(24.5) 0.141 (NS)
PCB-196/203 4.8 ± 0.4 (3.4) 5.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.204 (NS)
PCB-138/158 16.0 ± 2.8
(10.1)
17.7 ± 4.4
(13.9) 0.242 (NS)
PCB-195 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.7) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.086 (NS)
PCB-156 4.7 ± 1.1 (2.7) 5.4 ± 1.2 (4.2) 0.054 (NS) PCB-194 6.0 ± 0.6 (4.2) 6.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.263 (NS)
PCB-157 1.1 ± 0.3 (0.7) 1.3 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.014 PCB-206 2.1 ± 0.2 (1.5) 2.7 ± 0.6 (2.1) 0.093 (NS)
PCB-178 1.6 ± 0.2 (1.1) 2.0 ± 0.4 (1.8) 0.082 (NS) PCB-209 1.1 ± 0.1 (0.7) 1.3 ± 0.2 (1.0) 0.055 (NS)
PCB-187 6.0 ± 0.6 (3.7) 6.4 ± 1.2 (5.3) 0.193 (NS) PCB-114 0.7 ± 0.2 (0.4) 0.8 ± 0.3 (0.6) 0.082 (NS)
Table XI. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified
in 70% or more of the samples studied of women who lived within 1-2 blocks of the Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain vs. women
in the reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener
Proximity to
Pottersburg-
Walker Drain
exposure
(n=167)
Reference
population
(n=50)
p value
Congener
Proximity to
Pottersburg-
Walker Drain
exposure
(n=167)
Reference
population
(n=50)
p value
PCB-74 7.0 ± 0.7 (4.6) 6.7 ± 1.0 (4.4) 0.483 (NS) PCB-183 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.5) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.565 (NS)
PCB-99 5.6 ± 1.3 (3.0) 3.6 ± 0.4 (2.9) 0.647 (NS) PCB-172 1.2 ± 0.3 (0.5) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.356 (NS)
PCB-118 9.1 ± 1.7 (4.6) 7.6 ± 1.2 (4.4) 0.907 (NS) PCB-180 21.2 ± 1.7 (17.8) 17.7 ± 1.9
(15.5)
0.130 (NS)
PCB-105 1.8 ± 0.4 (0.9) 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.754 (NS) PCB-170 8.8 ± 1.2 (6.8) 6.6 ± 0.7 (6.4) 0.101 (NS)
PCB-146 3.4 ± 0.8 (2.0) 2.3 ± 0.3 (1.8) 0.346 (NS) PCB-199 3.4 ± 0.2 (3.1) 3.4 ± 0.4 (3.3) 0.649 (NS)
PCB-153 28.5 ± 4.8
(19.8) 21.0 ± 2.0(16.5) 0.256 (NS)
PCB-196/203 3.9 ± 0.2 (3.6) 3.7 ± 0.4 (3.0) 0.468 (NS)
PCB-138/158 19.3 ± 4.9
(11.5) 12.4 ± 1.3 (9.4) 0.275 (NS)
PCB-195 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.8) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.852 (NS)
PCB-156 5.1 ± 1.4 (3.2) 3.0 ± 0.4 (2.5) 0.032 PCB-194 4.2 ± 0.2 (3.8) 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.3) 0.236 (NS)
PCB-157 1.3 ± 0.4 (0.8) 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.068 (NS) PCB-206 1.8 ± 0.1 (1.5) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.483 (NS)
PCB-178 1.3 ± 0.1 (1.1) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.846 (NS) PCB-209 1.0 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.552 (NS)
PCB-187 5.0 ± 0.4 (3.8) 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.6) 0.474 (NS) PCB-114 0.9 ± 0.2 (0.5) 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.4) 0.157 (NS)
Table XII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified
in 70% or more of the samples studied of men who used Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain for recreational purposes vs. men in
the reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener
Recreational
use of Potts
Creek/Walker
Drain (n=24)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value
Congener
Recreational
use of Potts
Creek/Walker
Drain (n=24)
Reference
population
(n=24)
p value
PCB-74 3.8 ± 0.4 (3.1) 9.7 ± 5.2 (4.3) 0.099 (NS) PCB-183 2.1 ± 0.3 (1.8) 2.2 ± 0.4 (1.7) 0.695 (NS)
PCB-99 4.4 ± 1.0 (2.9) 4.9 ± 1.7 (3.0) 0.812 (NS) PCB-172 1.0 ± 0.2 (0.8) 1.2 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.644 (NS)
PCB-118 4.9 ± 0.7 (3.7) 5.4 ± 0.9 (4.1) 0.348 (NS) PCB-180 23.1 ± 2.4 (20.3) 28.7 ± 4.2
(24.8)
0.445 (NS)
PCB-105 1.0 ± 0.1 (0.8) 1.1 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.812 (NS) PCB-170 8.7 ± 1.2 (7.1) 10.9 ± 1.7 (9.6) 0.375 (NS)
PCB-146 3.2 ± 0.7 (2.3) 3.6 ± 0.8 (3.0) 0.483 (NS) PCB-199 4.0 ± 0.4 (3.4) 5.8 ± 1.3 (4.2) 0.496 (NS)
PCB-153 27.4 ± 5.0
(21.2) 30.6 ± 5.4 (24.5) 0.550 (NS)
PCB-196/203 4.4 ± 0.5 (4.0) 5.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.529 (NS)
PCB-138/158 16.1 ± 3.7
(10.2) 17.7 ± 4.4 (13.9) 0.821 (NS)
PCB-195 1.0 ± 0.2 (0.8) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.331 (NS)
PCB-156 4.6 ± 1.3 (3.4) 5.4 ± 1.2 (4.2) 0.293 (NS) PCB-194 5.4 ± 0.7 (5.3) 6.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.599 (NS)
PCB-157 1.1 ± 0.3 (0.7) 1.3 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.136 (NS) PCB-206 1.9 ± 0.2 (1.7) 2.7 ± 0.6 (2.1) 0.445 (NS)
PCB-178 1.6 ± 0.2 (1.2) 2.0 ± 0.4 (1.8) 0.409 (NS) PCB-209 1.0 ± 0.1 (1.0) 1.3 ± 0.2 (1.0) 0.309 (NS)
PCB-187 5.6 ± 0.7 (4.4) 6.4 ± 1.2 (5.3) 0.643 (NS) PCB-114 0.6 ± 0.2 (0.4) 0.8 ± 0.3 (0.6) 0.191 (NS)
Table XIII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified
in 70% or more of the samples studied of women who used Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain for recreational purposes vs. women
in the reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.
Congener
Recreational
use of Potts
Creek/Walker
Drain (n=26)
Reference
population
(n=50)
p value
Congener
Recreational
use of Potts
Creek/Walker
Drain (n=26)
Reference
population
(n=50)
p value
PCB-74 7.5 ± 1.6 (5.2) 6.7 ± 1.0 (4.4) 0.576 (NS) PCB-183 2.0 ± 0.3 (1.7) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.430 (NS)
PCB-99 4.1 ± 0.7 (3.2) 3.6 ± 0.4 (2.9) 0.630 (NS) PCB-172 0.7 ± 0.2 (0.7) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.685 (NS)
PCB-118 8.0 ± 1.3 (4.3) 7.6 ± 1.2 (4.4) 0.772 (NS) PCB-180 20.1 ± 2.9
(18.7)
17.7 ± 1.9 (15.5) 0.501 (NS)
PCB-105 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.645 (NS) PCB-170 7.6 ± 1.1 (7.1) 6.6 ± 0.7 (6.4) 0.447 (NS)
PCB-146 2.4 ± 0.4 (2.0) 2.3 ± 0.3 (1.8) 0.848 (NS) PCB-199 3.3 ± 0.5 (2.8) 3.4 ± 0.4 (3.0) 0.961 (NS)
PCB-153 22.8 ± 3.3
(21.9)
21.0 ± 2.0
(16.5) 0.874 (NS)
PCB-196/203 4.1 ± 0.6 (3.8) 3.7 ± 0.4 (3.3) 0.595 (NS)
PCB-138/158 13.5 ± 1.9
(10.9)
12.4 ± 1.3
(9.4) 0.738 (NS)
PCB-195 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.9) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.754 (NS)
PCB-156 3.5 ± 0.6 (3.4) 3.0 ± 0.4 (2.5) 0.338 (NS) PCB-194 4.2 ± 0.7 (4.0) 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.3) 0.645 (NS)
PCB-157 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.8) 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.222 (NS) PCB-206 1.9 ± 0.3 (1.6) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.638 (NS)
PCB-178 1.4 ± 0.2 (1.2) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.622 (NS) PCB-209 1.0 ± 0.2 (0.8) 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.653 (NS)
PCB-187 4.6 ± 0.7 (3.8) 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.6) 0.793 (NS) PCB-114 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.4) 0.162 (NS)
Conclusion
• Serum PCB concentrations measured in this study are
substantially higher in those individuals who worked at the
Westinghouse &ABB plant compared to reference population.
• Serum concentrations of PCBs measured in the sum of
individuals who lived in close proximity to Pottersburg Creek &
Walker Drain and used these waters for recreational purposes
are low and no different from the reference population.
• Therefore, conclude residents of the community are not more
exposed than the members of reference population.
Strengths of the Survey Study
• Robust sample size
• Positive response from the Community
• Individual PCB blood results and
interpretations were provided
• On time and on Budget
• Community accepted the final outcomes
Limitations
• Age of study participants was narrow for young adults & seniors
but over represented by adults between 45 – 64
• Due to retrospective nature of study, length of employment and
exposure time to PCB fluids was not feasible to obtain.
• Only 2.7% participants from previous (1985/86) blood study
participated.
• Duration of residence in proximity from plant and direct
exposure to flooding from the Pottersburg Creek or use of
sediments from these sites was not determined.
MLHU Provided Technical and
Guidance Services to MOE
• Ongoing Public Health Risk Assessments
• Review of weekly Air Quality Reports
• Weekly & monthly meetings both professional
and public
• Phytotoxicity Studies Assessments
• Groundwater and Leachate Assessments
• Membership with MOE’s Community Liasion
Group (CLG)
Recognition By Environment
Minister & Local MPP Khalil Ramal
Questions & Answers
For additional information please
visit:
www.healthunit.com and follow
Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey
link for more information.
Thank You