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Heiger-Bernays WJ, Tomsho KS, Basra K, Petropoulos ZE, Crawford K, Martinez A, Hornbuckle KC, Scammell MK. Human health risks due to airborne polychlorinated biphenyls are highest in New Bedford Harbor communities living closest to the harbor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:135576. [PMID: 31785914 PMCID: PMC7015809 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
In response to concerns raised by communities surrounding the New Bedford Harbor Superfund site, we completed a field and modeling study that concluded the harbor is the primary source of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air around the harbor. The follow-up question from residents was whether the PCBs measured in air pose a risk to their health. The US Environmental Protection Agency focuses their site-specific, risk-based decisions for site clean-up on cancers. We focused our assessment on the non-cancer effects on the thyroid based on the congener specific patterns and concentrations of PCBs measured in air near and distant to the harbor. Human and animal studies of PCB-induced effects on the thyroid provide evidence to support our analysis. Drawing from the published toxicological data, we used a Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach to derive a human-equivalent concentration in air associated with human health effects on the thyroid. Based on the MOEs calculated herein, evaluation of the MOE indicates that changes in thyroid hormone levels are possible among people living adjacent to the Harbor. Changes in thyroid hormone levels are more likely among people who live near the harbor compared to residents living in areas distant from the harbor. This risk assessment documents potential health risks associated with proximity to a marine Superfund Site using site-specific ambient air PCB congener data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendy J Heiger-Bernays
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, United States.
| | - Kathryn Scott Tomsho
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Komal Basra
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Zoe E Petropoulos
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Kathryn Crawford
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, United States
| | - Andres Martinez
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Keri C Hornbuckle
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering, 4105 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Madeleine K Scammell
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118, United States
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