PCBs- ‘Put Care Back’PCBs- ‘Put Care Back’(Report On The Hudson River Scandal)(Report On The Hudson River Scandal)

By: Jonathan WebbBy: Jonathan Webb

November 25, 2003November 25, 2003

AgendaAgenda• Background on WaterwaysBackground on Waterways• Background and Makeup of PCBsBackground and Makeup of PCBs• Effects of PCBs on Environment and HumansEffects of PCBs on Environment and Humans• The Socioeconomic Impact of PCBsThe Socioeconomic Impact of PCBs• History General Electric DebateHistory General Electric Debate• Cleaning StrategiesCleaning Strategies• Public Involvement and Go Home Knowing…Public Involvement and Go Home Knowing…

History of WaterwaysHistory 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 PCBsHistory of PCBs PCB stands for polychlorinated PCB stands for polychlorinated

biphenyl biphenyl Fluid that is related to dioxins .Fluid that is related to dioxins . Does not create heat, burn or Does not create heat, burn or

conduct electricity ie. conduct electricity ie. transformers and capacitorstransformers and capacitors

Electrical products manufactured Electrical products manufactured by the General Electric Company.by the General Electric Company.

GE established two new plants:GE established two new plants:

Hudson Falls and Fort Hudson Falls and Fort EdwardEdward

1976- PCBs band by EPA- 1.3 1976- PCBs band by EPA- 1.3 million pounds already were million pounds already were released into the Hudson Riverreleased into the Hudson River

What are PCBs?What are PCBs?

Oily fluid and does not Oily fluid and does not biodegradebiodegrade

Extremely lipophilic Extremely lipophilic and are poorly and are poorly excretedexcreted

Is easily passed down Is easily passed down the food chainthe food chain

Can also become Can also become airborne and then airborne and then inhaled by land inhaled by land organismsorganisms

The Effects On The EnvironmentThe Effects On The Environment

It has become a Superfund SiteIt has become a Superfund Site

The food chain continues from the Hudson The food chain continues from the Hudson River and moves to the land organisms.River and moves to the land organisms.

Birds were unable to build nests, had Birds were unable to build nests, had infertile eggs, abandon their nests, and infertile eggs, abandon their nests, and display odd behavior.display odd behavior.

Physical deformities were apparent such Physical deformities were apparent such as tumors and twisted beaks.as tumors and twisted beaks.

Essential aquatic marine plants die off with Essential aquatic marine plants die off with heightened levels of PCBs and throws off heightened levels of PCBs and throws off the food chain from another pointthe food chain from another point

The Effects Of PCBs On HumansThe Effects Of PCBs On Humans

Reproductive and developmental abnormalitiesReproductive and developmental abnormalities Children with neurological and motor control Children with neurological and motor control

problems, lower intelligence, and an insufficient problems, lower intelligence, and an insufficient short-term memory.short-term memory.

Low birth weight and smaller head sizes.Low birth weight and smaller head sizes.

Disrupt immune system and thyroid hormonesDisrupt immune system and thyroid hormones ..

Retarded growth, delayed puberty, decreased sperm Retarded growth, delayed puberty, decreased sperm counts in males, and genital malformations.counts in males, and genital malformations.

Unusual production of lymphocytes which and lead Unusual production of lymphocytes which and lead to a greater susceptibility to sickness to a greater susceptibility to sickness

The Economic ImpactThe Economic Impact 90 million dollar fishing 90 million dollar fishing

industry industry Tourism and commercial Tourism and commercial

industries have also industries have also sufferedsuffered

The real estate industry The real estate industry has seen a massive drop in has seen a massive drop in sales around this 200 sales around this 200 stretch of river stretch of river

The History and Current The History and Current DebateDebate

HistoryHistory G.E. was the largest producer and G.E. was the largest producer and

discharger of PCBs.discharger of PCBs. General Electric Company had dumped General Electric Company had dumped

tons of toxic PCBs into the Hudson and tons of toxic PCBs into the Hudson and was guilty of violating environmental was guilty of violating environmental laws. (1975)laws. (1975)

Removal of 100,000 pounds of PCBs Removal of 100,000 pounds of PCBs from highly concentrated areas of PCBs from highly concentrated areas of PCBs

TodayToday Refusal to pay for the clean-upRefusal to pay for the clean-up G.E. has spent millions on their media G.E. has spent millions on their media

blitzblitz G.E. squeezing their way out of dealing G.E. squeezing their way out of dealing

with the PCB issue the right way ie. with the PCB issue the right way ie. using navigational dredging using navigational dredging

Buying time to have their Buying time to have their representatives pass laws.representatives pass laws.

Cleaning StrategiesCleaning Strategies

Environmental dredgingEnvironmental dredging

Minimizes the resuspension of Minimizes the resuspension of sediment which might contain PCBs.sediment which might contain PCBs.

‘‘hotspots’ are immediately going to be hotspots’ are immediately going to be dealt with dealt with

Environmental dredging uses special Environmental dredging uses special technology – cameras, GPS, nets, technology – cameras, GPS, nets, suction, appropriate disposalsuction, appropriate disposal

** Navigational dredging is not ** Navigational dredging is not appropriateappropriate

Is not meant to be dealing with toxic Is not meant to be dealing with toxic substances. substances.

Other OptionOther Option

No action to take place- idea turned No action to take place- idea turned down by the EPA. No longer a valid down by the EPA. No longer a valid option.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.