pottersburg creek pcb site & the · presentation at ciphi 78th conference september 18, 2012...

Pottersburg Creek PCB Site & the

Blood Survey Study

Presentation at CIPHI 78th Conference

September 18, 2012

Iqbal Kalsi Project Manager PCB Blood Survey Study & Manager Environmental Health, Health Hazards, Preventative &

Vector Borne Disease, Emergency Response

Middlesex-London Health Unit

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

PCBs

• PCBs are toxic substances and highly

resistant to degradation

• Safe elimination is best option for these

contaminants

PCBs - Ban

North American Ban In 1977

PCBs - Uses

Widely used as coolants and lubricants in

transformers, capacitors and other

electrical equipment

Ingredients in industrial materials (e.g.

caulking and sealing compounds, cutting

oils, inks and paint additives)

Pottersburg Creek Storage Site

Background

One of the largest PCB contaminated

material storage site in Canada since

1984

PCBs - Environment

• Air

• Water

• Soil

• Fat Soluble (Lipophilic)

PCB - Human Exposure

Ingestion of Food

PCBs - Health Effects

Acute, High Level Exposure

• Severe form of acne

• Swelling of upper eyelids

• Discolouring of nails and skin

• Numbness of the arms and/or legs

• Weakness

• Muscle spasms

PCBs - Health Effects

Long Term, High Level Exposure

• International Agency For Research On Cancer

(IARC)

• Most are Probable Human Carcinogen (Category

2a), however, PCB 126 was recently categorized

as Carcinogen (Category 1)

1984 • MOE Order to Westinghouse

• Storage Site created on Westinghouse Property

• Vault 1 established

1984 & ‘85

• Clean up of Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain sediment s and bank soils

• MOE acquired portion of Westinghouse Property

• Construction of 3 additional storage Vaults

• MOE purchased the site

History of the Pottersburg PCB

Storage Site

Pottersburg PCB Storage Site Vault Year

Source of PCB Materials Total Volume Range of PCBs (ppm)

1984

Cell #1

Westinghouse property

Soil around transformer oil storage

Drain along south side of property

Catch basin sediments

4.570 cu. yds 20 – 29,000

1985

Cell #2

Walker Drain and the area of Pottersburg Creek running through and immediately downstream from the GM Diesel property on Oxford Street

10,941 total

4,600 cu. yds from Walker Drain

6,341 cu. yds from GM Diesel

0 – 6,693

20 - 120

1986

Cell #3

Pottersburg Creek from Walker Drain to Third Street

14,825 cu. yds 20 - 190

1987

Cell #4

Pottersburg Creek from Third Street to Kiwanis Park

16,098 cu. yds 20 – 210

TOTAL 46,434 cu. yds

(35,500 m3 =78,000 tonnes)

Pottersburg Creek Health Study

1985 - 1986

After a major site cleanup from Westinghouse/ABB property, and the nearby Walker Drain & Pottersburg Creek undertaken by MOE.

Area Residents raised potential concerns about their exposure to PCBs and potential associated health effects.

1985/86 Pottersburg Creek Study

Main Objective:

To determine whether those who were most likely

to have been exposed to the PCB contaminated

soil and sediment had higher blood PCB levels

than people who would only be exposed through

food.


Main Finding:

The mean PCB blood level for the Pottersburg

Creek residents was significantly lower than

that of the non-occupational laboratory

control group.


Conclusions

1. “The lack of a demonstrable relationship between

exposure to creek sediments and blood PCB levels

supports the hypothesis that it is unlikely that

significant exposure has occurred from this source”.

2. “Adverse short or long term health effects are unlikely

to occur from the levels of PCBs in this population”.

New Federal PCB Regulations

• In September 2008, feds passed a regulation

that required the removal of all in-storage

PCB waste to an approved PCB destruction

facility by December 31, 2009.

• Bennett Environmental Facility in Quebec

was selected and ~114,000 tonnes of PCB

were destroyed.

Thermal Oxidation Process

Pottersburg Creek Storage Site

Decommissioning March 2008 Provincial Government allocates

$56 million

April 30, 2008 Public Meeting, CAW Hall

May 9, 2008 MOE Public Meeting, North

London Optimist Centre

December 2009 Completion of PCB Material

removal from the site

Pottersburg PCB Blood Survey

Study (2008 – 2009)

Again, with the announcement of decommissioning in 2008 similar

concerns were raised by both area residents and former employees of the

plant. In response to these health concerns a study was commissioned.

September 2010

May 9, 2012

Primary Purpose

To provide persons who are most likely to have

been exposed to PCBs in connection with

Pottersburg Creek and the Westinghouse/ABB

Plant with a free service to have their blood

tested for PCBs and be part of the initiated

study.

Secondary Purpose

To determine whether the Pottersburg Creek

group has, on average, blood levels of PCBs

which are significantly higher than what one

would expect based on usual PCB exposure

through eating a normal diet.

Objectives of the Study

To quantify PCB specific congener concentrations in the blood serum:

1. In former Westinghouse/ABB employees

2. Area residents of Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain

3. Area residents who used Pottersburg Creek/Drain for recreational purposes

4. Compare with reference population of London residents without known exposure

5. Communicate the results to community & individuals.

Inclusion Criteria for PCB Blood

Survey Study • Live or lived in the area of interest

• Worked at the Westinghouse/ABB plant

(Occupational Exposure)

• Played in the Pottersburg Creek as child or used

the area for recreation

• Were part of the 1985 PCB Blood Survey

• Live in another part of London with no known

exposure to PCBs (reference group)

Occupational Exposure

Subgroups • Worked with PCB containing fluids/materials at

Westinghouse/ABB

• Worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not handle PCB containing fluids/material

• Did not work at Westinghouse/ABB but did work elsewhere with PCB containing fluids/materials

• Worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not handle PCB containing fluids/materials but did elsewhere

• Worked with PCB containing fluids/materials at Westinghouse/ABB and elsewhere

MLHU PCB Team

PCB Blood Survey

Projected Timelines 2009

PCB Blood Survey – Final

Timelines


Recruitment Strategy

Open House Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Huron Heights Public School, 1245 Michael Street, London

Research Ethics Board Approval

Research Ethics Board formal approval

on May 1, 2009, however, verbal

approval was granted in early April.

As recommended by the Community Liasion Committee (CLC), other Blood Survey recruitment strategies included:

• Advertisements in the London Free Press

• Advertisement on MLHU website

• Recruitment flyer circulated by CLC and sent to 81 local agencies

** Recruitment activities began on April 24, 2009. May 14th was set as the recruitment deadline; however, due to the community’s overwhelming response, this deadline was extended until June 3rd.


Recruitment Strategy

• The Research Team developed a screening questionnaire to collect participants’ background information.

• CCI Research (Consulting Firm) was hired and administered the telephone questionnaire as follows:

• CCI called each person up to 10 times (CCI’s standard procedure).

• If the questionnaire was not completed after 10 attempts, MLHU contacted the individual twice (when possible, a message was also left asking that the call be returned).

• The names of those who spoke with MLHU & confirmed they wished to participate were sent back to CCI to be called an additional five times for survey completion.

• A total of 17 times some of these participants were called.

PCB Blood Survey

Participant Screening Process

MLHU - PCB

Survey Team

N=558 While 592 individuals

originally contacted

MLHU, the PCB Survey

Team was unable to

contact 17 (i.e., 2 phone

out of service, 2

undeliverable email, 13

only email provided and

did not respond to

follow-up email).

Therefore, contact

information for the

remaining individuals

who volunteered for

participation was

provided to CCI for

eligibility screening

interviews. (N= 575-

duplicates)

CCI

Research CCI called each of

the 558 individuals

up to ten times to

complete the

interview.

CCI could not

leave messages

due to

confidentiality.

Completed N=483 As a result of CCI’s initial calls,

444 individuals completed a

screening interview. Individuals

completing the interview also

identified 116 potential

comparators. As per the

Research Team’s required

sample size, only 100 of these

comparators completed a

screening interview.

Refused N=11 Eleven individuals refused to

answer the eligibility screening

interview and therefore cannot be

included in the Blood Survey.

Terminated N=59 After 10 attempts by CCI, if the

interview was not completed

the Survey Team contacted the

individual twice, leaving a

message requesting that their

call be returned, if required.

The names of those individuals

who spoke with the Survey

Team and still wished to

participate were sent to CCI to

be called an additional five

times.

Moved/ Wrong Number/ Not

in Service N= 5

Re-Terminated

N=23 These individuals either did

not return the Survey

Team’s call or did not

complete the interview

during one of CCI’s

additional five attempts.

Complete N= 36

Blood Survey

Appointments to

Schedule N=620 Originals: 483+36 = 519

Potential comparators: 100

Additional respondent: 1

The Research Team identified

one additional person as having

both occupational & creek-

related exposure & therefore

requested that the Survey Team

administer the screening

interview to this person prior to

blood collection.

PCB Blood Survey

Participant Screening Process

PCB Blood Survey

Participant Screening Summary 92% Completed Screening Questionnaire

4% Terminated

2% Refused to Answer Questionnaire

1% Moved/ Wrong Number/ Not in Service

1% Not able to contact

100 potential “reference group” participants

were also identified by CCI and completed the

screening questionnaire.


Blood Collection

July Blood Collection Dates: – July 7th,8th, 14th - 16th, 8:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

– Saturday July 18th, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

** To accommodate participants, a seventh collection date was held on Tuesday August 11th, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

88% Blood Sample Completed

7% No Show

3.5% Withdrew/Refused participation

1% Not able to contact

0.5% Unavailable on Blood Collection

Dates


Blood Collection Summary

Blood Sample Analysis

• The samples were received by the CDC

on July 23rd and August 18th.

• All samples were accounted for upon

arrival in Atlanta.

• The analysis results were received from

CDC in October & sent to the Research

Team for interpretation & reporting.

PCB congener

(IUPAC number)

LOD

(ppt)

PCB

congener

(IUPAC

number)

LOD

(ppt)

PCB

congener

(IUPAC

number)

LOD

(ppt)

PCB-28 10 PCB-118 2.5 PCB-110 2.5

PCB-52 4.5 PCB-105 2.5 PCB-118 2.5

PCB-49 2.5 PCB-151 2.5 PCB-105 2.5

PCB-44 2.5 PCB-149 2.5 PCB-151 2.5

PCB-74 2.5 PCB-146 2.5 PCB-128 2.5

PCB-66 2.7 PCB-153 2.5 PCB-167 2.5

PCB-101 2.5 PCB-138-158 2.5 PCB-156 2.5

PCB-99 2.5 PCB-149 2.5 PCB-157 2.5

PCB-87 2.5 PCB-146 2.5 PCB-178 2.5

PCB-110 2.5 PCB-153 2.5 PCB-187 2.5

Table I. Limits of detection (LOD) for PCB-specific congeners measured.

Figure 3. Distribution of all study subjects by gender in the exposed (O)

vs. reference (R) populations who completed questionnaires. Note that

seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or were excluded from the

study for other reasons.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

Exposed 47.16% 52.84%

Control 67.12% 32.88%

Female Male

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

Exposed 1.89% 22.11% 58.74% 17.26%

Control 5.48% 28.77% 57.53% 8.22%

18-24 25-44 45-64 65+

Figure 4. Distribution of study subjects in age groups in the exposed (O)

vs. reference (R) population. Note that seven subjects did not provide a

blood sample or were excluded from the study for other reasons.

Figure 5a. Consumption Exposure – Ever eaten fish from the Pottersburg

Creek. Note that seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or were

excluded from the study for other reasons.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

Exposed 2.53% 97.47%

Control 0.00% 100.00%

Yes No/Don't Know

Figure 5b. Consumption Exposure – Ever eaten sport fish from

elsewhere. Note that seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or

were excluded from the study for other reasons.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

Exposed 15.58% 84.42%

Control 15.07% 84.93%

Yes No/Don't Know

Figure 5c. Consumption Exposure – Ever eaten wild game. Note that

seven subjects did not provide a blood sample or were excluded from the

study for other reasons.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

Exposed 6.11% 93.89%

Control 4.11% 95.89%

Yes No/Don't Know

Ingestion (Dietary) Exposure

• As, this is an important PCB exposure pathway it needed to be assessed.

• The survey questionnaire assessed for contaminated sport fish caught & consumed from Pottersburg Creek and wild game meat consumed information was relatively very small in both exposed and reference groups.

• Due to its statistical insignificance (exposure group similar to reference) decision was made not to

include it from the survey study.

PCB Congeners Below LOD

• Out of the 37 PCB serum congeners quantified in men (n=274) and women n=267), 13 were below level of detection (LOD) in greater than 30 % of serum samples studied in both men and women.

• PCB Congeners that were below the level of detection in greater than 30% of serum samples studied in both men and women (PCB 28, 52, 49, 44 66, 87, 101, 110, 128, 149, 151, 189, & 123)

• Therefore, they were not included in further statistical analysis.

PCB Congeners Analyzed

• PCBs of historical markers were PCB-28, 52, 101, 118, 138/158, 153 & 180

• Mono-ortho substituted were PCB-49,44,66,105,114,123,156,157,167,&189

• Highly Chlorinated were PCB-74, 87, 99, 110,128, 146, 149, 151, 170, 172, 177, 178, 183, 187, 194, 195, 196/203, 199, 206 & 209.

• Above PCBs were detected in the majority of participants in 45-64 and >64 years and rarely in 18-24 & 25-44 years of age.

• PCB specific congener concentrations in serum were quantified using high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) at CDC Atlanta labs.

• London plant used Aroclor 1264 as commercial PCB mixture for manufacturing of electrical transformers and capacitors during its operational years (late 1950s to mid 1980s ~30 yrs).

Table IV. Mean (+ SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in

70% or more of the samples studied of men who self-report occupational exposure in PCB vs. men from a reference population

without exposure to PCBs. Difference between exposure group medians were determined suing Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

Congener Occupational

exposure (n=55)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value Congener

Occupational

exposure (n=55)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value

PCB-74 62.5 ± 21.8 (21.0) 9.7 ± 5.2(4.3) <0.001 PCB-183 4.9 ± 0.5(3.8) 2.2 ± 0.4(1.7) <0.001

PCB-99 14.8 ± 2.6 (7.9) 4.9 ± 1.7(3.0) <0.001 PCB-172 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 1.2 ± 0.3(1.1) <0.001

PCB-118 21.3 ± 3.3 (12.6) 5.4 ± 0.9(4.1) <0.001 PCB-180 66.2 ± 6.6(47.4) 28.7 ± 4.2(24.8) <0.001

PCB-105 4.2 ± 0.7 (2.5) 1.1 ± 0.2(0.9) <0.001 PCB-170 27.9 ± 3.5(19.0) 10.9 ± 1.7(9.6) <0.001

PCB-146 11.9 ± 2.3 (6.1) 3.6 ± 0.8(3.0) <0.001 PCB-199 19.2 ± 2.7(9.9) 5.8 ± 1.3(4.2) <0.001

PCB-153 82.4 ± 13.0 (48.4) 30.6 ± 5.4(24.5) <0.001 PCB-196/203 14.2 ± 1.6(8.2) 5.7 ± 1.1(4.8) <0.001

PCB-138/158 53.3 ± 11.1 (29.1) 17.7 ± 4.4(13.9) <0.001 PCB-195 2.5 ± 0.2(2.0) 1.2 ± 0.2(1.1) <0.001

PCB-156 21.6 ± 5.2 (9.0) 5.4 ± 1.2(4.2) <0.001 PCB-194 15.7 ± 1.4(11.9) 6.7 ± 1.1(4.8) <0.001

PCB-157 5.4 ± 1.3 (2.4) 1.3 ± 0.3(1.1) <0.001 PCB-206 10.1 ± 1.6(5.4) 2.7 ± 0.6(2.1) <0.001

PCB178 5.0 ± 0.5 (3.6) 2.0 ± 0.4(1.8) <0.001 PCB-209 3.8 ± 0.5(2.4) 1.3 ± 0.2(1.0) <0.001

PCB-187 17.7 ± 1.9 (12.2) 6.4 ± 1.2(5.3) <0.001 PCB-114 4.9 ± 1.2(1.7)

0.8 ± 0.3(0.6) <0.001

Table V. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in

70% or more of the samples studied of women who self-report occupational exposure to PCB vs. women from a reference

population without exposure to PCBs. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank

sum test


exposure (n=8)

Reference

population

(n=50)

p

value

Congener

Occupational

exposure

(n=55)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p

value

PCB-74 56.3 ± 20.931.6 6.7 ± 1.0 4.4 0.004 PCB-183 4.1 ± 1.2(2.2) 1.8 ± 0.2(1.4) 0.046

PCB-99 9.8 ± 3.6(3.9) 3.6 ± 0.4(2.9) 0.043 PCB-172 3.2 ± 1..1(2.5) 0.8 ± 0.1(0.5) 0.036

PCB-118 30.1 ± 15.0(15.3) 7.6 ± 1.2(4.4) 0.032 PCB-180 65.1 ± 19.4(48.3) 17.7 ±

1.9(15.5)

0.005

PCB-105 5.8 ± 3.3(2.4) 1.5 ± 0.2(0.9) 0.049 PCB-170 27.5 ± 9.2(17.6) 6.6 ± 0.7(6.4) 0.004

PCB-146 9.7 ± 3.8(5.9) 2.3 ± 0.3(1.8) 0.007 PCB-199 15.0 ± 4.2(12.8) 3.4 ± 0.4(3.3) 0.002

PCB-153 74.3 ± 27.3(40.6) 21.0 ±

2.0(16.5)

0.010 PCB-196/203 12.6 ± 3.2(10.4) 3.7 ± 0.4(3.0) 0.003

PCB-

138/158

35.4 ± 12.9(19.3) 12.4 ± 1.3(9.4) 0.026 PCB-195 2.3 ± 0.6(2.0) 0.8 ± 0.1(0.7) 0.005

PCB-156 15.2 ± 6.9(9.6) 3.0 ± 0.4(2.5) 0.004 PCB-194 13.9 ± 3.6(13.3) 4.0 ± 0.5(3.3) 0.004

PCB-157 3.5 ± 1.7(2.0) 0.7 ± 0.1(0.5) 0.003 PCB-206 7.3 ± 1.9(6.5) 1.8 ± 0.2(1.4) 0.002

PCB-178 5.9 ± 2.0(4.3) 1.2 ± 0.2(1.1) 0.008 PCB-209 3.0 ± 0.8(2.8) 0.9 ± 0.1(0.7) 0.008

PCB-187 17.9 ± 5.7(10.9) 4.5 ± 0.5(3.6) 0.008 PCB-114 3.8 ± 1.8(2.2) 0.6 ± 0.1(0.4) 0.004

Table VI. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified

in 70% or more of the samples studied of men with occupational exposure to PCB containing fluids/materials

(Westinghouse/ABB plant employment only) vs. men who worked in the plant but did not handle PCB containing fluids or

materials. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.


exposure

(n=55)

Non-

Occupational

exposure

(n=34)

p value Congener

Occupational

exposure (n=55)

Non-

Occupational

exposure

(n=34)

p value

PCB-74 62.5 ± 21.8(21.0) 14.7 ± 2.2(8.7) <0.001 PCB-183 4.9 ± 0.5(3.8) 3.5 ± 0.4(2.7) 0.042

PCB-99 14.8 + 2.6 (7.9) 5.6 ± 0.7(3.4) <0.001 PCB-172 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 2.5 ± 0.3(1.9) 0.147 (NS)

PCB-118 21.3 ± 3.3(12.6) 9.5 ± 1.1(8.3) 0.002 PCB-180 66.2 ± 6.6(47.4) 48.7 ± 5.1(36.1) 0.055 (NS)

PCB-105 4.2 ± 0.7(2.5) 1.9 ± 0.3(1.3) <0.001 PCB-170 27.9 ± 3.5(19.0) 17.9 ± 1.7(14.3) 0.040

PCB-146 11.9 ± 2.3(6.1) 6.0 ± 0.7(4.6) 0.012 PCB-199 19.2 ± 2.7(9.9) 11.8 ± 1.5(8.7) 0.090 (NS)

PCB-153 82.4 ± 13.0(48.4) 45.1 ± 4.5(35.5) 0.014 PCB-196/203 14.2 ± 1.6(8.2) 10.3 ± 1.0(9.0) 0.223 (NS)

PCB-138/158 53.3 ± 11.1(29.1) 23.8 ± 2.5(18.3) 0.005 PCB-195 2.5 ± 0.2(2.0) 1.9 ± 0.2(1.6) 0.029

PCB-156 21.6 ± 5.2(9.0) 8.1 ± 0.9(6.1) 0.008 PCB-194 15.7 ± 1.4(11.9) 12.7 ± 1.5(10.1) 0.120 (NS)

PCB-157 5.4 ± 1.3(2.4) 1.9 ± 0.2(1.4) 0.003 PCB-206 10.1 ± 1.6(5.4) 5.2 ± 0.6(4.4) 0.024

PCB-178 5.0 ± 0.5(3.6) 3.5 ± 0.4(2.6) 0.04 PCB-209 3.8 ± 0.5(2.4) 2.6 ± 0.4(1.8) 0.040

PCB-187 17.7 ± 1.9(12.2) 12.6 ± 1.4(9.4) 0.06 (NS) PCB-114 4.9 ± 1.2(1.7) 1.3 ± 0.2(1.2) 0.001

Table VII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified

in 70% or more of the samples studied of men with occupational exposure to PCB containing fluids/materials

(Westinghouse/ABB plant employment only) vs. men who worked elsewhere and handled PCB containing fluids or materials.

Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.


Westinghouse/

ABB exposure

(n=55)

Occupation

Elsewhere

Exposure

(n=30)

p value Congener

Occupational

Westinghouse/

ABB exposure

(n=55)

Occupation

Elsewhere

population

(n=30)

p value

PCB-74 62.5 ± 21.8(21.0) 3.8 ± 0.5(3.1) <0.001 PCB-183 4.9 ± 0.5(3.8) 1.9 ± 0.3(1.7) <0.001

PCB-99 14.8 ± 2.6(7.9) 3.0 ± 0.4(2.5) <0.001 PCB-172 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 0.9 ± 0.2(0.9) <0.001

PCB-118 21.3 ± 3.3(12.6) 4.3 ± 0.6(3.7) <0.001 PCB-180 66.2 ± 6.6(47.4) 22.9 ±

3.6(18.8)

<0.001

PCB-105 4.2 ± 0.7(2.5) 0.9 ± 0.1(0.9) <0.001 PCB-170 27.9 ± 3.5(19.0) 9.0 ± 1.5(7.3) <0.001

PCB-146 11.9 ± 2.3(6.1) 2.6 ± 0.4(2.0) <0.001 PCB-199 19.2 ± 2.7(9.9) 4.5 ± 1.0(3.3) <0.001

PCB-153 82.4 ± 13.0(48.4) 21.8 ± 2.9(18.6) <0.001 PCB-196/203 14.2 ± 1.6(8.2) 4.8 ± 0.9(4.3) <0.001

PCB-

138/158

53.3 ± 11.1(29.1) 12.1 ± 1.6(9.8) <0.001 PCB-195 2.5 ± 0.2(2.0) 0.8 ± 0.2(0.7) <0.001

PCB-156 21.6 ± 5.2(9.0) 3.8 ± 0.6(3.5) <0.001 PCB-194 15.7 ± 1.4(11.9) 6.0 ± 1.1(5.1) <0.001

PCB-157 5.4 ± 1.3(2.4) 0.8 ± 0.2(0.6) <0.001 PCB-206 10.1 ± 1.6(5.4) 2.1 ± 0.3(1.8) <0.001

PCB-178 5.0 ± 0.5(3.6) 1.4 ± 0.3(1.2) <0.001 PCB-209 3.8 ± 0.5(2.4) 1.0 ± 0.1(1.0) <0.001

PCB-187 17.7 ± 1.9(12.2) 5.1 ± 1.1(3.6) <0.001 PCB-114 4.9 ± 1.2(1.7) 0.4 ± 0.1

(0.4)

<0.001

Table VIII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified

in 70% or more of the samples studied of men who worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not have exposure to PCBs vs. men

from a reference population without exposure to PCBs. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using

Mann-Whitney rank sum test.


exposure (n=34)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value Congener

Occupational

exposure (n=34)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value

PCB-74 13.8 ± 2.6(8.2) 9.9 ± 5.5(4.1) 0.003 PCB-183 3.4 ± 0.4(2.7) 2.2 ± 0.5(1.7) 0.045

PCB-99 5.5 ± 0.8(3.5) 5.0 ± 1.8(3.0) 0.286

(NS)

PCB-172 2.4 ± 0.4(1.9) 1.3 ± 0.3(1.3) 0.016

PCB-118 8.8 ± 1.2(7.1) 5.4 ± 1.0(4.1) 0.022 PCB-180 17.1 ± 2.1(13.0) 28.5 ± 4.4(23.7) 0.017

PCB-105 1.8 ± 0.3(1.3) 1.1 ± 0.2(0.9) 0.100

(NS)

PCB-170 11.5 ± 1.9(7.3) 10.9 ± 1.8(8.6) 0.026

PCB-146 5.7 ± 0.9(4.6) 3.6 ± 0.8(2.7) 0.062

(NS)

PCB-199 9.9 ± 1.2(7.2) 5.8 ± 1.4(3.9) 0.007

PCB-153 43.2 ± 5.2(33.1) 31.0 ± 5.6(24.5) 0.054

(NS)

PCB-196/203 1.8 ± 0.3(1.5) 5.7 ± 1.1(4.4) 0.004

PCB-138/158 22.8 ± 2.9(18.3) 18.2 ± 4.6(13.9) 0.065

(NS)

PCB-195 12.2 ± 1.7(9.1) 1.2 ± 0.2(1.2) 0.137

(NS)

PCB-156 7.6 ± 1.0(5.6) 5.5 ± 1.2(3.8) 0.053

(NS)

PCB-194 12.2 ± 1.7(9.1) 6.7 ± 1.2(4.5) 0.004

PCB-157 1.8 ± 0.3(1.3) 1.3 ± 0.3(1.1) 0.182

(NS)

PCB-206 5.0 ± 0.8(4.4) 2.7 ± 0.6(2.0) 0.005

PCB-178 3.5 ± 0.5(2.5) 2.0 ± 0.4(1.5) 0.038 PCB-209 2.4 ± 0.4(1.8) 1.3 ± 0.2(1.0) 0.011

PCB-187 12.3 ± 1.8(8.9) 6.4 ± 1.3(4.9) 0.012 PCB-114 1.2 ± 0.2(1.1) 0.8 ± 0.3(0.6) 0.028

Table IX. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in

70% or more of the samples studied of women who worked at Westinghouse/ABB but did not handle PCB containing fluids vs.

women from a reference population without exposure to PCBs. Differences between exposure group medians were determined

using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

Congener

Occupational

exposure (n=55)

Reference

population (n=24) p

value

Congener

Occupational

exposure

(n=55)

Reference population

(n=24)

p value

PCB-74 20.2 ± 5.1 (12.2) 6.8 ± 1.0 (4.5) 0.001 PCB-183 3.6 ± 0.7 (2.8) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.011

PCB-99 8.9 ± 2.4 (4.1) 3.7 ± 0.4 (2.9) 0.021 PCB-172 1.8 ± 0.4 (1.7) 0.8 ± 0..1 (0.5) 0.020

PCB-118 17.3 ± 6.5 (5.8) 7.7 ± 1.2 (4.5)

0.044 PCB-180 38.9 ± 5.9

(31.7)

17.7 ± 1.9 (15.4) <0.001

PCB-105 3.7 ± 1.7 (1.2) 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.348

(NS)

PCB-170 15.2 ± 2.3

(12.7)

6.6 ± 0.7 (6.3) <0.001

PCB-146 5.8 ± 1.2 (3.9) 2.3 ± 0.3 (1.7) 0.001 PCB-199 8.2 ± 1.5 (6.1) 3.4 ± 0.4 (2.9) <0.001

PCB-153 44.3 ± 7.9 (34.0) 21.0 ± 2.1 (15.9)

0.002 PCB-

196/203

8.1 ± 1.2 (6.7) 3.7 ± 0.4 (3.2) <0.001

PCB-

138/158

27.0 ± 6.5 (17.7) 12.5 ± 1.3 (9.6) 0.017

PCB-195 1.7 ± 0.2 (1.6) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.7) <0.001

PCB-156 7.7 ± 1.6 (5.0) 3.0 ± 0.4 (2.4) <0.001 PCB-194 9.1 ± 1.4 (6.8) 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.2) <0.001

PCB-157 1.8 ± 0.4 (1.3) 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.008 PCB-206 4.0 ± 0.7 (3.3) 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.4) <0.001

PCB-178 2.9 ± 0.5 (2.3) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.0)

0.002 PCB-209 1.9 ± 0..3

(1.5)

0.9 ± 0.1 (0.6) 0.002

PCB-187 10.3 ± 1.8 (7.9) 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.5) 0.001 PCB-114 1.8 ± 0.4 (1.1) 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.4) <0.001

Table X. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified in

70% or more of the samples studied of men who lived within 1-2 blocks of the Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain vs. men in the

reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

Congener

Proximity to

Pottersburg

Creek/Walker

Drain (n=111)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value

Congener

Proximity to

Pottersburg

Creek/Walker

Drain (n=111)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value

PCB-74 5.0 ± 0.7 (3.1) 9.7 ± 5.2 (4.3) 0.063 (NS) PCB-183 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.4) 2.2 ± 0.4 (1.7) 0.553 (NS)

PCB-99 4.2 ± 0.7 (2.7) 4.9 ± 1.7 (3.0) 0.519 (NS) PCB-172 1.3 ± 0.2 (0.8) 1.2 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.686 (NS)

PCB-118 8.4 ± 2.5 (3.8) 5.4 ± 0.9 (4.1) 0.182 (NS) PCB-180 24.8 ± 2.3 (16.9) 28.7 ± 4.2

(24.8)

0.152 (NS)

PCB-105 1.7 ± 0.5 (0.8) 1.1 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.250 (NS) PCB-170 9.6 ± 1.2 (6.7) 10.9 ± 1.7 (9.6) 0.145 (NS)

PCB-146 3.3 ± 0.6 (2.0) 3.6 ± 0.8 (3.0) 0.059 (NS) PCB-199 4.6 ± 0.5 (3.0) 5.8 ± 1.3 (4.2) 0.169 (NS)

PCB-153 27.5 ± 3.8

(18.4)

30.6 ± 5.4

(24.5) 0.141 (NS)

PCB-196/203 4.8 ± 0.4 (3.4) 5.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.204 (NS)

PCB-138/158 16.0 ± 2.8

(10.1)

17.7 ± 4.4

(13.9) 0.242 (NS)

PCB-195 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.7) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.086 (NS)

PCB-156 4.7 ± 1.1 (2.7) 5.4 ± 1.2 (4.2) 0.054 (NS) PCB-194 6.0 ± 0.6 (4.2) 6.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.263 (NS)

PCB-157 1.1 ± 0.3 (0.7) 1.3 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.014 PCB-206 2.1 ± 0.2 (1.5) 2.7 ± 0.6 (2.1) 0.093 (NS)

PCB-178 1.6 ± 0.2 (1.1) 2.0 ± 0.4 (1.8) 0.082 (NS) PCB-209 1.1 ± 0.1 (0.7) 1.3 ± 0.2 (1.0) 0.055 (NS)

PCB-187 6.0 ± 0.6 (3.7) 6.4 ± 1.2 (5.3) 0.193 (NS) PCB-114 0.7 ± 0.2 (0.4) 0.8 ± 0.3 (0.6) 0.082 (NS)

Table XI. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified

in 70% or more of the samples studied of women who lived within 1-2 blocks of the Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain vs. women

in the reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

Congener

Proximity to

Pottersburg-

Walker Drain

exposure

(n=167)

Reference

population

(n=50)

p value

Congener

Proximity to

Pottersburg-

Walker Drain

exposure

(n=167)

Reference

population

(n=50)

p value

PCB-74 7.0 ± 0.7 (4.6) 6.7 ± 1.0 (4.4) 0.483 (NS) PCB-183 2.0 ± 0.2 (1.5) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.565 (NS)

PCB-99 5.6 ± 1.3 (3.0) 3.6 ± 0.4 (2.9) 0.647 (NS) PCB-172 1.2 ± 0.3 (0.5) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.356 (NS)

PCB-118 9.1 ± 1.7 (4.6) 7.6 ± 1.2 (4.4) 0.907 (NS) PCB-180 21.2 ± 1.7 (17.8) 17.7 ± 1.9

(15.5)

0.130 (NS)

PCB-105 1.8 ± 0.4 (0.9) 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.754 (NS) PCB-170 8.8 ± 1.2 (6.8) 6.6 ± 0.7 (6.4) 0.101 (NS)

PCB-146 3.4 ± 0.8 (2.0) 2.3 ± 0.3 (1.8) 0.346 (NS) PCB-199 3.4 ± 0.2 (3.1) 3.4 ± 0.4 (3.3) 0.649 (NS)

PCB-153 28.5 ± 4.8

(19.8) 21.0 ± 2.0(16.5) 0.256 (NS)

PCB-196/203 3.9 ± 0.2 (3.6) 3.7 ± 0.4 (3.0) 0.468 (NS)

PCB-138/158 19.3 ± 4.9

(11.5) 12.4 ± 1.3 (9.4) 0.275 (NS)

PCB-195 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.8) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.852 (NS)

PCB-156 5.1 ± 1.4 (3.2) 3.0 ± 0.4 (2.5) 0.032 PCB-194 4.2 ± 0.2 (3.8) 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.3) 0.236 (NS)

PCB-157 1.3 ± 0.4 (0.8) 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.068 (NS) PCB-206 1.8 ± 0.1 (1.5) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.483 (NS)

PCB-178 1.3 ± 0.1 (1.1) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.846 (NS) PCB-209 1.0 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.552 (NS)

PCB-187 5.0 ± 0.4 (3.8) 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.6) 0.474 (NS) PCB-114 0.9 ± 0.2 (0.5) 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.4) 0.157 (NS)

Table XII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified

in 70% or more of the samples studied of men who used Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain for recreational purposes vs. men in

the reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

Congener

Recreational

use of Potts

Creek/Walker

Drain (n=24)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value

Congener

Recreational

use of Potts

Creek/Walker

Drain (n=24)

Reference

population

(n=24)

p value

PCB-74 3.8 ± 0.4 (3.1) 9.7 ± 5.2 (4.3) 0.099 (NS) PCB-183 2.1 ± 0.3 (1.8) 2.2 ± 0.4 (1.7) 0.695 (NS)

PCB-99 4.4 ± 1.0 (2.9) 4.9 ± 1.7 (3.0) 0.812 (NS) PCB-172 1.0 ± 0.2 (0.8) 1.2 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.644 (NS)

PCB-118 4.9 ± 0.7 (3.7) 5.4 ± 0.9 (4.1) 0.348 (NS) PCB-180 23.1 ± 2.4 (20.3) 28.7 ± 4.2

(24.8)

0.445 (NS)

PCB-105 1.0 ± 0.1 (0.8) 1.1 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.812 (NS) PCB-170 8.7 ± 1.2 (7.1) 10.9 ± 1.7 (9.6) 0.375 (NS)

PCB-146 3.2 ± 0.7 (2.3) 3.6 ± 0.8 (3.0) 0.483 (NS) PCB-199 4.0 ± 0.4 (3.4) 5.8 ± 1.3 (4.2) 0.496 (NS)

PCB-153 27.4 ± 5.0

(21.2) 30.6 ± 5.4 (24.5) 0.550 (NS)

PCB-196/203 4.4 ± 0.5 (4.0) 5.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.529 (NS)

PCB-138/158 16.1 ± 3.7

(10.2) 17.7 ± 4.4 (13.9) 0.821 (NS)

PCB-195 1.0 ± 0.2 (0.8) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.331 (NS)

PCB-156 4.6 ± 1.3 (3.4) 5.4 ± 1.2 (4.2) 0.293 (NS) PCB-194 5.4 ± 0.7 (5.3) 6.7 ± 1.1 (4.8) 0.599 (NS)

PCB-157 1.1 ± 0.3 (0.7) 1.3 ± 0.3 (1.1) 0.136 (NS) PCB-206 1.9 ± 0.2 (1.7) 2.7 ± 0.6 (2.1) 0.445 (NS)

PCB-178 1.6 ± 0.2 (1.2) 2.0 ± 0.4 (1.8) 0.409 (NS) PCB-209 1.0 ± 0.1 (1.0) 1.3 ± 0.2 (1.0) 0.309 (NS)

PCB-187 5.6 ± 0.7 (4.4) 6.4 ± 1.2 (5.3) 0.643 (NS) PCB-114 0.6 ± 0.2 (0.4) 0.8 ± 0.3 (0.6) 0.191 (NS)

Table XIII. Mean (± SEM) and median (in parentheses) serum concentrations (ng/g lipid) for PCB-congeners that were quantified

in 70% or more of the samples studied of women who used Pottersburg Creek/Walker Drain for recreational purposes vs. women

in the reference population. Differences between exposure group medians were determined using Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

Congener

Recreational

use of Potts

Creek/Walker

Drain (n=26)

Reference

population

(n=50)

p value

Congener

Recreational

use of Potts

Creek/Walker

Drain (n=26)

Reference

population

(n=50)

p value

PCB-74 7.5 ± 1.6 (5.2) 6.7 ± 1.0 (4.4) 0.576 (NS) PCB-183 2.0 ± 0.3 (1.7) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.430 (NS)

PCB-99 4.1 ± 0.7 (3.2) 3.6 ± 0.4 (2.9) 0.630 (NS) PCB-172 0.7 ± 0.2 (0.7) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.685 (NS)

PCB-118 8.0 ± 1.3 (4.3) 7.6 ± 1.2 (4.4) 0.772 (NS) PCB-180 20.1 ± 2.9

(18.7)

17.7 ± 1.9 (15.5) 0.501 (NS)

PCB-105 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 1.5 ± 0.2 (0.9) 0.645 (NS) PCB-170 7.6 ± 1.1 (7.1) 6.6 ± 0.7 (6.4) 0.447 (NS)

PCB-146 2.4 ± 0.4 (2.0) 2.3 ± 0.3 (1.8) 0.848 (NS) PCB-199 3.3 ± 0.5 (2.8) 3.4 ± 0.4 (3.0) 0.961 (NS)

PCB-153 22.8 ± 3.3

(21.9)

21.0 ± 2.0

(16.5) 0.874 (NS)

PCB-196/203 4.1 ± 0.6 (3.8) 3.7 ± 0.4 (3.3) 0.595 (NS)

PCB-138/158 13.5 ± 1.9

(10.9)

12.4 ± 1.3

(9.4) 0.738 (NS)

PCB-195 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.9) 0.8 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.754 (NS)

PCB-156 3.5 ± 0.6 (3.4) 3.0 ± 0.4 (2.5) 0.338 (NS) PCB-194 4.2 ± 0.7 (4.0) 4.0 ± 0.5 (3.3) 0.645 (NS)

PCB-157 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.8) 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.5) 0.222 (NS) PCB-206 1.9 ± 0.3 (1.6) 1.8 ± 0.2 (1.4) 0.638 (NS)

PCB-178 1.4 ± 0.2 (1.2) 1.2 ± 0.2 (1.1) 0.622 (NS) PCB-209 1.0 ± 0.2 (0.8) 0.9 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.653 (NS)

PCB-187 4.6 ± 0.7 (3.8) 4.5 ± 0.5 (3.6) 0.793 (NS) PCB-114 0.7 ± 0.1 (0.7) 0.6 ± 0.1 (0.4) 0.162 (NS)

Conclusion

• Serum PCB concentrations measured in this study are

substantially higher in those individuals who worked at the

Westinghouse &ABB plant compared to reference population.

• Serum concentrations of PCBs measured in the sum of

individuals who lived in close proximity to Pottersburg Creek &

Walker Drain and used these waters for recreational purposes

are low and no different from the reference population.

• Therefore, conclude residents of the community are not more

exposed than the members of reference population.

Strengths of the Survey Study

• Robust sample size

• Positive response from the Community

• Individual PCB blood results and

interpretations were provided

• On time and on Budget

• Community accepted the final outcomes

Limitations

• Age of study participants was narrow for young adults & seniors

but over represented by adults between 45 – 64

• Due to retrospective nature of study, length of employment and

exposure time to PCB fluids was not feasible to obtain.

• Only 2.7% participants from previous (1985/86) blood study

participated.

• Duration of residence in proximity from plant and direct

exposure to flooding from the Pottersburg Creek or use of

sediments from these sites was not determined.

MLHU Provided Technical and

Guidance Services to MOE

• Ongoing Public Health Risk Assessments

• Review of weekly Air Quality Reports

• Weekly & monthly meetings both professional

and public

• Phytotoxicity Studies Assessments

• Groundwater and Leachate Assessments

• Membership with MOE’s Community Liasion

Group (CLG)

Recognition By Environment

Minister & Local MPP Khalil Ramal

Questions & Answers

For additional information please

visit:

www.healthunit.com and follow


link for more information.

Thank You

http://www.healthunit.com/

pottersburg creek pcb site & the · presentation at ciphi 78th conference september 18, 2012...

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