Document 106dw4rgGjom0g7pmwbMj86LZ

3Tft Charlotte Gbbmvtr . .1 . Thursday Aug. IQ, 1978 7 N.C. Agencies Want To Know Who Spilled Hazardous Chemical Otowvar tuff And win RiMrti A highway patrol trooper apparently discovered RALEIGH -- Angry state officials announced the first spill July 27, noticing burned grass and an Wednesday that at least seven state agencies are try* oily substance beside a highway. Most spills have Ing to find out how a cancer-causing chemical wu been found in the past week in Franklin. Moore, spilled along 70 or more miles of Eastern North Caro* Chatham. Harnett end Alamance counties. Officials Jlna highways. are checking reports of spills in other areas. Natural Resources Secretary Howard Lee said the Lee said several state agencies -- the Highway chemical -- polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). used Patrol, attorney gcneral'a office, State Bureau of in* mostly to Insulate electrical transformers -- apparent* veatlgatlon and departments of agriculture, natural re ly was dumped deliberately. sources and community development, transportation Calling It "an outrageous act," Lee said state offl* and human resources -- are investigating, clals would announce today a large reward for infor* Robert Carter, state chief of water quality opera* mation leading to the arrest and conviction of those' tions, said PCB Is a "very dangerous chemical." responsible for the spills. However, Dr. Martin Hines, state director of epl* Nature) Resources Department spokesmen Steve demiology, said people living along the contaminated . Meehan said officials also are trying to figure out highways probably won't have an immediate reaction i how serious a health hazard the the several thousand to exposure to PCB because effects usually are long- gallons of chemical pose and might ask the federal term and build up from eating or drinking ths sub- I Environmental Protection Agency for advice. He said stance. Laboratory tests have shown rats develop can* * state officials are working In two, eight-hour shifts to cer after ingesting PCB. I find out how much chemical is concentrated in the Hines said residents should report any apparent t ground and to decide whether contaminated toil reactions to health officials. He said public health 1 should be removed. nurses and hospitals have been alerted. "It could be right costly if we have to start re* Hines said officials are monitoring wells, water moving dirt," Meehan aaid. supplies, cattle, crops end the air in the spill eress. HONS 000815