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Floodplains


Sampling of floodplains is being performed to address concerns related to possible exposure of people and wildlife to PCB contamination in the floodplains. These efforts are being conducted concurrent with the design of the Hudson River PCBs site cleanup in coordination with New York State. The floodplains characterization effort is looking at the variability of PCB concentrations in selected locations within the floodplain to determine if additional characterization or other work are warranted.

EPA and GE Sign Agreement on Upper Hudson Floodplain Sampling

September 11, 2008 -- EPA and GE have reached agreement on carrying out the Upper Hudson floodplain sampling program. The agreement, effective today and embodied in an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC), provides for soil sampling at approximately 350 properties within the Upper Hudson floodplain. It is the first phase of a floodplains remedial investigation initially described in a letter to residents from EPA dated August 4, 2008. The agreement also requires GE to map human use and ecological use areas in those floodplain areas to identify areas where removal of contaminated soils may be needed. GE will pay for costs incurred by EPA in overseeing the work performed under this agreement.

Field Sampling Plan [PDF 194K, 50 pp] | Appendix A [PDF 9K, 1 pp] | Tables [PDF 21K, 5 pp]

Figures are Available Upon Request by Contacting Kris Skopeck at skopeck.kristen@epa.gov

Letter August 4, 2008 [PDF 167K,1 pp]

Final Floodplains Factsheet [PDF 36K, 3 pp]

Data Summary Report, Floodplain Data Collection Activities, Upper Hudson River (March 2006)

The Data Summary Report, Floodplain Data Collection Activities, Upper Hudson River documents the results of the floodplain data collection activities conducted by the General Electric Company (GE) from June to November, 2005 along the Upper Hudson River. The floodplain data collection activities included field reconnaissance, floodplain soil sampling and laboratory analysis, and topographic mapping.

Figures

The following Floodplain Data Summary Report figures are available on request: kluesner.dave@epa.gov
Figure 1-1 Site Location Map - Upper Hudson River
Figure 1-2 River Section 1, Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth 0-6 Inches
Figure 1-3 River Section 2, Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth 0-6 Inches
Figure 1-4 River Section 3 (to Mile Marker 177), Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth 0-6 Inches
Figure 1-5 River Section 3 (Mile Marker 177 to 171), Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth 0-6 Inches
Figure 1-6 River Section 1, Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth > 6 inches
Figure 1-7 River Section 2, Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth > 6 inches
Figure 1-8 River Section 3 (to Mile Marker 177), Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth > 6 inches
Figure 1-9 River Section 3 (Mile Marker 177 to 171), Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Sample Depth > 6 inches
Figure 1-10 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Property Near Fort Edward Yacht Basin
Figure 1-11 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, EPA Transect Area 9E – 10E
Figure 1-12 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, EPA Transect Area 11E – 12E
Figure 1-13 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, EPA Transect Area 13E – 14E
Figure 1-14 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, EPA Transect Area 26W – 28W
Figure 1-15 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, EPA Transect Area 34E – 36E
Figure 1-16 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, EPA Transect Area 37E
Figure 1-17 Summary of Floodplain Soil PCB Data, Property North of EPA Transect 38E

Appendices

The following Floodplain Data Summary Report appendices are available on request: kluesner.dave@epa.gov
Appendix A - Floodplain Topographic Mapping
Appendix B - Field Reconnaissance Logs
Appendix C - Representative Photographs from Field Reconnaissance and Sampling Activities
Appendix D - Soil Boring Logs
Appendix E - Data Usability Summary Reports for PCB and TOC Analyses, including Laboratory Data Sheets
Appendix F - Grain Size Laboratory Data Reports

Limiting Exposure to Potential PCB Contamination in Floodplains

[Extracted from NYS DOH - DEC/EPA Fact Sheet, Autumn 2005]

Exposure to PCBs in Flood Plain Soil
Potential health risks from exposure to the PCBs in flood plain soils depend on PCB concentrations and the extent to which people contact soil PCBs. The extent of contact depends on the types of activities that contribute to exposure and the duration and frequency of these activities. Activities that may contribute to exposure include:

Recreational Uses. Young children may come into direct contact with PCB-contaminated soil while playing or digging in the dirt. During these activities they may incidentally ingest soil through hand-to-mouth activity. For example, this exposure may occur when young children put toys into their mouth or do not properly wash their hands before eating. Adults and adolescents may walk over the soil with shoes on, which in most cases results in very little exposure.

Gardening. Gardening is not a major exposure concern for most people. This is because PCBs
were generally found in low-lying areas next to the river, which are usually not good for residential gardening due to frequent flooding. Considering that the presence and concentration of PCBs at any given location may not be known without collecting and analyzing soil samples, the following are actions you can take if you wish to further reduce your possibility of PCB exposure.

• Avoid digging in and relocating soil from the areas where frequent flooding occurs. Wash soil from skin whenever possible especially after working or playing in areas where flooding occurs. You can also minimize skin contact with soil during activities such as gardening by wearing gloves, etc.

• Avoid tracking soil and mud from potentially contaminated areas into your home by rinsing off shoes or toys that may have sediment or soil on them.

• Limit pet access to low-lying flooded areas and wash pets that have mud or soil on them.

• Thoroughly wash and/or peel vegetables grown in gardens located in low-lying areas.

Floodplain Soil Sampling Summary Report (August 2005)

The Floodplain Soil Sampling Summary Report details rationale for sampling in floodplains, the implementation of the sampling plan, and summarizes the tasks performed. The focus area of the sampling was a 12-mile-long river reach extending from Fort Edward to Schuylerville, NY. The data gathered during the floodplain soil sampling provide a preliminary indication as to the potential nature and extent of PCB contamination in floodplain soils throughout the 12-mile study area of the Upper Hudson. Results may be useful in the design of future studies that may be necessary to fully delineate the PCB contamination.

Download Report

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