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Frotn the Desk of
Robert G. Kaley, II
January 26, 1996 XCC: W. S. Cox
B. W. Eley A2NE J. S. Hanson - F2EP D. B. Herndon - B2NG J. P. Hyland - F2EB M. E. Kelly Handout packet from ADPH meeting.
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PCB Exposure Investigation, Anniston, Alabama Agenda - January 23, 1996
6:00 p.m. Welcome and Introductions Exposure Investigation Update
Brian J. Hughes, Ph.D., Alabama Public Health
6:15 p.m. Blood and Questionnaire Results
6:40 p.m. Recommendations to Reduce Exposure
7:00 p.m. Introduction of Michael Mueller, M.D. Health Considerations Associated with Blood Results and Questionnaires Health Consultation at UAB for People with Elevated Exposures
J. P. Lofgren, M.D., and Trecia Phillips, M.P.H., Alabama Public Health
Cheryl Browder, Alabama Public Health
Brian J. Hughes, Ph.D., Alabama Public Health
Michael Mueller, M.D., University of Alabama
at Birmingham
7:20 p.m. Questions and Answers
Cheryl Browder Alabama Public Health
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PCB Blood Tests and Questionnaires Findings
Alabama Department of Public Health PC 'B Exposure Investigation Anniston, Alabama
1. PCB blood levels ranged from unmeasurable to 303 ppb. Parts per billion (ppb) is equal to micrograms per liter (meg-1).
Among the 103 persons whose PCB blood levels were measured:
31 people had undetectable levels of PCB (<3 ppb) 75 people had less than 20 ppb 28 people had more than 20 ppb 5 people had over 100 ppb
2. There is no relationship between PCB soil levels at a residence and the resident's PCB blood level.
. PCB blood levels increase with age.
,
No one less than 28 years old had high PCB blood levels (greater than 20 ppb).
4. PCB blood levels increase with the length of time lived at current residence.
5. Eating local fish or game can not by itself explain elevated PCB blood levels.
Only 57% with an elevated level report eating local game or fish.
6. There mav be a relationship between eating vegetables from the local area and PCB blood levels.
However, due to the small number of people who have lived in the area more than 25 years, this relationship is difficult to prove.
Additional needs:
1. Better knowledge of where the residents with elevated PCB levels have lived and the length of time spent at each residence.
ro
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How to Reduce Exposure
The goal is to reduce exposure by breaking the pathway. An exposure pathway links the contaminant to the exposed person.
What are the links?
Source is the landfill where PCBs were dumped in the past.
Transport media is the ditch sediment. When the ditch overflows, the sediment is transported (carried) to the surrounding area; therefore, some residential soil is contaminated.
Points of contact One point of contact may be fruits and vegetables homegrown in
the community.
A second point of contact may be locally caught fish and game, but only for a few
people.
A third point of contact is dust and dirt that blows up while people are working
outdoors or during windy weather.
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Route of exposure is ingestion. This means that PCBs which enter the mouth or nose are swallowed and are absorbed into the blood through the digestive tract.
Exposed population is adults aged 28 and older, and generally, people who have lived at their residence for a long period of time.
What additional information is needed'?
In-house dust results.
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How can I break the links?
You probably can not control the source or the transport media. The best places to break the exposure pathway are the points of contact and the route of exposure.
If you eat fruits and vegetables homegrown in the community:
You may want to stop eating them and buy fruits and vegetables from the
grocery.
If you continue to eat them, be sure to wash them carefully first. All dust and
' dirt should be removed.
'
If you eat locally caught fish and game:
You may want to stop eating them.
If you continue to eat them, be sure to remove the fat before cooking or grill
the meat so the fat will drip away. PCBs are located in the fatty tissue.
There is a fish advisory in effect for Choccolocco Creek. We recommend that
no one eat fish caught there.
'.
If dust and dirt are blowing because of outdoor work or windy weather:
You can cover your mouth and nose to avoid getting dust and dirt in them.
You can take dirty shoes and clothes off before going inside to keep dust and
dirt out of the house.
You can close doors and windows when the wind is blowing toward the house
to keep dust and dirt out of the house.
-
You may want to clean floors, furniture and drapes often.
.
Children did not have elevated exposures. However, if you are concerned about future exposure to children, they should follow the advice above. Also, you may want to follow this advice:
Encourage children to play where the ground is covered by grass instead of on bare dirt. Concrete, asphalt or wood play surfaces should be clean.
Wash young children's hands and faces after they have played outdoors. Always wash them before they eat or take naps.
Discourage children from putting plants, dirt or toys off the ground into their mouths.
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Health Considerations and Blood PCB Levels Michael Mueller, M.D. Notes
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Questions and Answers Notes
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