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ATSDR MEDIA
ANNOUNCEMENT
Community questions and answers
on
PCB contamination and health
Orote (Guam), Landfill site
January 2002
1. How do PCBs enter and leave the body?
For most people who do not work with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), consumption
of PCB-contaminated fish, meats, eggs, and dairy products is the most common
and significant sources of human exposure to PCBs (ATSDR 2000).
PCBs that are swallowed are passed from the gastrointestinal tract into the
bloodstream. Once PCBs are in the body, some change into other related chemicals
called metabolites and some leave the body in feces in a few days. The remaining
PCBs and metabolites stay in the body and can be stored for years mainly in
the body fatty tissue . PCBs also accumulate in human milk fat (ATSDR 2000).
Everyone has some amount of PCBs in their body through environmental exposures
worldwide. Since PCBs are so widespread, don't break down easily in the environment,
and can accumulate in people, they have been heavily studied.
PCB Exposure & Human Health Effects
3. Is there a medical test to determine if a person has been exposed to PCBs?
Yes, there are tests that measure PCB levels in the blood, fat tissue, and breast
milk. Blood tests are the safest and easiest method for detecting PCB exposure.
These tests only indicate whether someone was exposed to a greater extent than
the general population. They cannot determine the type and amount of PCB, how
long someone was exposed, or whether they will become ill. Therefore, they do
not assist physicians in providing better treatment. Measuring the level of
a chemical is different from establishing its effects. Everybody will have some
detectable amount of PCBs in their blood, fat, and breast milk. The medical
significance of detectable blood PCB levels is unclear.
Who Should Be Tested?
ATSDR generally recommends testing people who likely have had the greatest exposures
or contact (highest concentrations, most frequency, longest time). Those people
would likely have significantly out-of-normal range blood PCB levels and could
use blood tests to determine if changing their habits could reduce their levels.
However, it is important to remember that the information from blood testing
does not provide information about health effects.
For between $300 to $1,000, individuals can pay to have their blood drawn and
sent off island for analysis. Test results can take anywhere from 1 to 3 months
and should be reviewed and interpreted by physicians with experience in occupational
and environmental medicine. Interested individuals can contact Guam Public Health
for more information.
4. What will happen to people who don't get a medical test and is there
treatment available for PCB exposure?
Regardless of whether or not a person has a medical test, the recommendations
are the same. Determine if hazardous environmental exposures are likely; if
so, find out from what source and reduce exposure to that source(s). For example,
it can help to determine whether or not fish advisories should be in place and
what types of education or risk management decisions are needed to communicate
information on: fish species that can safely be consumed, changing diets, and
the preparation of foods (e.g., not eating the entire fish, trimming fat).
At this time there is no treatment for PCB exposure. People with high levels should
have a careful exposure history taken and increase efforts to identify and eliminate
any current sources of PCB exposure.
5. Is it safe to eat fish?
The Navy, Guam EPA, and Guam Public Health have recommended a temporary seafood
consumption advisory on seafood caught near Orote Point until more testing is
done. Preliminary fish sampling results showed elevated levels of PCBs, pesticides,
and some metals, thus prompting the advisory. The Navy is performing more species-specific
sampling and will ask community members questions on the types and amount of fish
eaten. Since fish is a healthy, nutritious food and is an important part of the
diet of the people of Guam, ATSDR is working with Guam EPA, Guam Public Health,
and the Navy to determine where fish can be harvested and which fish (or portions
of fish) can be consumed.
Reducing Exposure from Fish
Families can do many things to reduce the possibility of exposure to PCBs from fish and shellfish:
Other Agency Contacts: |
US Naval Forces Marianas Lt. Monica Richardson, Public Affairs Officer (671) 339-5207 |
Guam Dept. of Public Health and Social Services Robert Haddock, DVM, Territorial Epidemiologist (671)735-7299 |
Guam Environmental Protection Agency Conchita S.N. Taitano, Project Manager (671) 475-1658/59, guamepa@mail.gov.gu Walter S. Leon Guerrero, Team Member (671) 475-1644, walterlg@mail.gov.gu Grace O. Garces, Public Information Officer (671) 475-1623, gogarces@mail.gov.gu |
Back to On-Line Media Home Page
This page
updated December 4, 2002
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail
(news media)
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