297282
Hazardous PCBs Concentration in Guánica Bay: An Invisible Community
Two over-arching objectives of this project are to: a) show the spatial distribution of PCBs concentration in the Bay and explore its potential threat to marine environment and public health, and b) use PCBs data collected to engage Guánica communities in public health interventional strategies to reduce community exposure to PCBs.
In collaboration with community members, the Bay was sampled at two points in time: April and December 2013. Sample locations were traced with the aid of a cell phone application. EPA 3550B and 8082 methods were employed to analyze the samples for the concentrations of main Aroclors of PCBs. Using these results, a bi-directional dialogue with the community members and stakeholders was initiated: learning about their concerns and sharing the knowledge about elevated concentration of PCBs.
The analysis of the samples suggests that concentration of PCBs in the sediments ranges from 52 to 14080 μg/kg. Learning about these concentrations, the community is very concerned about their exposure to PCB. Rising from these concerns community, municipality and high schools are working together to develop interventional strategies to reduce the community exposure to PCB.
The hazardous concentrations of PCBs, present in Guánica Bay, demands immediate actions (under CERCLA), including the declaration of the Bay as a “superfund site”. It is critically important to engage community to develop strategies to control and reduce exposure to these contaminants to protect the health of the Guánica Community from exposure to hazardous PCB concentrations.
Learning Areas:
Environmental health sciencesLearning Objectives:
Demonstrate the spatial distribution of polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations and explore its potential threat to public health
Design public health interventional strategies to reduce community exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls
Keyword(s): Chemical Exposures & Prevention
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the student research assistant of several environmental health related projects, including the "Hazardous Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs) Concentrations in Guánica Bay: An Invisible Community". My public health interests are the assessment of exposure to environmental contaminants and the development of prevention strategies to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyl, integrating community engagement.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.