Document GmErqKjM8E4xGKkkXKv3kRLvx

ROXDORO. K.C. COURIER TIMES ir. s.coo JUN 141979 4j** . PCB problem illustrates woeful national ignorance It's really difficult to know what Uic best solution is lor disposing of the PCH-conlaminatcd soil along 210 milrs of North Carolina highways, including that along a four-to-six mile stretch of N.C 49 North in Person County. It's particularly difficult because the people you would expect to have some expertise in such matters cannot even agree on whether the PCB in question presents a health risk to North Carolina citizens. For example, over in Halifax County where Robert E. (Buck) Ward Jr. of Raleigh was being tried last week on charges of being an accessory and conspiralor In the PCB dumpings (he was acquitted of all counts by a Jury this week), two doctors gave eorrobarative testimony regarding the threat of PCB to humans and animals. Both said they felt the PCB indeed posed no such threat and should be left where it is. The testimony appeared to be significant in that both doctors -- Cr. Leonard Goidwater and Dr. R. Emmett Kelly -- have had experience in treating patients exposed to heavy concentrations of PCB. Dr. Goidwater has been a consultant with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences on environmental problems. Dr. Kelly formerly was with Monsanto Chemical tk>., which used to manufacture PCB. Dr. Kelly told the court that fur 29 years he regularly examined hJonsartltLCwployees who he said were "practically bathing in this stuff (PCB)" and that he found no health problems other than a form of acne. Dr. Goidwater said he had examined thousands of people who had been exposed to PCB without ill effects. Responding to a question as to wether the PCB dumped in North Carolina could cause cancer. Dr. Goidwater said, "The probability is so remote that everyone should forget it. The harm done by frightening everyone is much worse than the long-term chemical threat." Dr. Kelly agreed that the amount of the chemical dumped along N.C. roadways is not a significant health threat. On the other side of the coin. Dr. Renale Kimbrough, a pathologisttoxocologist with the federal Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, testified that her laboratory experiments showed that rats and mice developed liver cancer and other maladies after they were fed PCB. She said she deduced from those experiments that the PCB on N.C. roads "could HONS 011087 cause harm" to humans and animals So. who is lo be believed** Am) posing that question is out meant to suggest in ihix instance that the conclusion of Urs. Goidwater and Kelly are any more or less valid than the conclusion of l>r Kim brough or vice versa. But Die diversity of opinion on the N.C PCB goes to point out jiol how incredibly unknowledgeable this nation is about the myriad chemicials that are used (and misused i daily all around us. Consequently, as the PCU problem aptly illustrates, we ore almost totally unprepared to deal certainly and effectively with accidents involving toxic or potencmlly toxic chemicals North Carolina already has spent between Si million and $2 million, according to Gov. James B. Hunt Jr . just trying lo get a handle on the PCB mess The Governor suggests that the disposal of the contaminated soil may entail yet another S3 million, and even now no one s quite sure about Ibc best disposal method-m- plncc treatment, storage ia multiple sites or at one Urge site Certainly, the Governor's position of having to make the ultimate decision is not an en viable one. particularly in view of the apparent fact that when it comes to PCB. and many other chemicals, no one knows for sure what (he deuce they're talking about. Least of all,soil seem*, the federal Environmental Protection Agency which bus got to be one of the most wishy-washy agencies in the whole federal bureaucracy We trust a satisfactory solution to the PCB problem can be at tained. Duty beyond that, we would like lo see the State u< North Carolina use the PCI) episode as a springboard lo taking the lead in the development of sound meaningful knowledge almut toxic chemical* anil how to deal with tliein. Ilecause no one else seems lo tie adequately dmng tl* job- >