Reasons to protect wildlife and support a clean up
Housatonic River fish have some of the highest levels of PCBs ever recorded
A study from the 1990’s revealed large intakes of PCBs above safe eating levels into 6 month old “young of the year” perch
A wood duck tested from the Housatonic had 3700 parts per million when adjusted for fat content. Under federal law, soil over 50 parts per million has to be disposed of in a lined regulated hazardous waste landfill. This has been characterized as one of the highest levels of PCBs ever found in waterfowl.
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Findings From the GE/EPA scientific peer reviewed Housatonic Ecological Risk Assessment
50% of mink young died within 6 weeks when fed a diet of fish with only 4 parts per million PCB harvested from the Housatonic River. Many Housatonic river fish have higher levels. Jaw lesions were observed in the other developing young that did survive, which results n eventual loss of teeth, leading to anorexia and eventual death.
:Benthic invertebrate mortality and impaired development
Reduced survival of larval fish and various deformities including swim bladders that were malformed or formed out side the body cavity
Frogs with abnormal egg masses, malformations, impacts to metamorphosis and sex changes
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PCBs are one of the most prevalent toxic chemicals in the world’s food chain. This is why most countries in the world are cleaning them up. Polar bears, whales, ocean fish, and other wildlife are all being affected.
The striped bass and shad fishing industry were wiped out because of PCBs traveling down the Hudson and Housatonic River into Long Island Sound.
Signs posted by the Mass Department of Public Health state
DO NOT EAT FISH, FROGS, TURTLES, WOOD DUCKS, OR MALLARD DUCKS FROM THIS RIVER
There may be only one chance in history to have the PCBs cleaned up as it took close to twenty years to rise to the top of EPA’s priority list. Most communities welcome the clean up.
The PCB clean up will be the biggest jobs program to come to Berkshire County in years.
Reasons to protect wildlife and support a clean up
Reasons to protect wildlife and support a clean up
Housatonic River fish have some of the highest levels of PCBs ever recorded
A study from the 1990’s revealed large intakes of PCBs above safe eating levels into 6 month old “young of the year” perch
A wood duck tested from the Housatonic had 3700 parts per million when adjusted for fat content. Under federal law, soil over 50 parts per million has to be disposed of in a lined regulated hazardous waste landfill. This has been characterized as one of the highest levels of PCBs ever found in waterfowl.
____________________________________________________________________
Findings From the GE/EPA scientific peer reviewed Housatonic Ecological Risk Assessment
50% of mink young died within 6 weeks when fed a diet of fish with only 4 parts per million PCB harvested from the Housatonic River. Many Housatonic river fish have higher levels. Jaw lesions were observed in the other developing young that did survive, which results n eventual loss of teeth, leading to anorexia and eventual death.
:Benthic invertebrate mortality and impaired development
Reduced survival of larval fish and various deformities including swim bladders that were malformed or formed out side the body cavity
Frogs with abnormal egg masses, malformations, impacts to metamorphosis and sex changes
____________________________________________________________________
PCBs are one of the most prevalent toxic chemicals in the world’s food chain. This is why most countries in the world are cleaning them up. Polar bears, whales, ocean fish, and other wildlife are all being affected.
The striped bass and shad fishing industry were wiped out because of PCBs traveling down the Hudson and Housatonic River into Long Island Sound.
Signs posted by the Mass Department of Public Health state
DO NOT EAT FISH, FROGS, TURTLES, WOOD DUCKS, OR MALLARD DUCKS FROM THIS RIVER
There may be only one chance in history to have the PCBs cleaned up as it took close to twenty years to rise to the top of EPA’s priority list. Most communities welcome the clean up.
The PCB clean up will be the biggest jobs program to come to Berkshire County in years.