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NPL Site Narrative for PCB Wastes
PCB WASTES
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands
Federal Register Notice: September 8, 1983Conditions at proposal (October 23, 1981): The Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, an area larger than the continental United States, has eight separate areas for storing transformers contaminated with PCBs. The sites were located on the islands of Koror in the Republic of Palau, Moen in Truk State, Yap, Kosrae, and two on both Ponape and Majuro. The storage areas, which hold more than 2,000 gallons of wastes, are unprotected and could contaminate ground water and surface water used as drinking water. Contamination of marine resources used for food could also result. Wastes migrating from some of these sites may already have contaminated the surrounding area.
This is the top priority site in the Trust Territory.
Status (September 8, 1983): A remedial investigation conducted by EPA in December 1982 revealed that the PCBs in drums and transformers and some pesticides and chemicals were improperly stored. A previous oil spill was apparent at one location formerly used to store transformers. In some locations, intact containers of transformer oil were in unsecured areas open to the general public.
Status (March 7, 1986): In 1984, EPA used CERCLA emergency funds to remove wastes containing over 50 parts per million (ppm) of PCBs and the other hazardous wastes found at the various locations. During the removal action, soils and waste oils were sampled in the field using a portable testing kit that allowed segregation of wastes for transport. Only the transformer storage area had contaminated soils. It is located in a fenced-in rural area. Testing was conducted in the area before and after removal of contaminated soils. No PCBs above 50 ppm were found in structures or soils after removal.
Fluids containing under 50 ppm of PCBs were blended and burned on the islands. Other PCB wastes were transported to a disposal facility in the continental United States meeting the requirements of the Toxic Substances Control Act. Other hazardous wastes were removed and transported to a facility in the continental United States permitted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
This site is being deleted from the NPL because EPA, in consultation with the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, has determined that all appropriate Superfund-financed response under CERCLA has been implemented, and that no further response by responsible parties is appropriate.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.