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Remediation In Superfund Sites

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Throughout this field study there are many concerns that revolve around superfund and landfill sites that can cause disruption within our water systems and its negative impact on air quality. In the article “Policy Implementation and the Environmental Protection Agency: What Factors Influence Remediation at Superfund Sites?” by Dorothy M. and David F. Layton, they stated, “The impact of contaminant mixtures on human health remains largely unknown; however, substances commonly found at Superfund sites have been linked to a variety of human health problems, such as birth defects, infertility, cancer, and changes in neurobehavioral functions (Hall, Price-Green, Dhara, & Kaye, 1995; Johnson, 1995; and Johnson & DeRosa, 1997).”(Pg. 375) This shows …show more content…

Polychlorinated biphenyls is an industrial chemical that can be found in insulators, capacitors, or any electric appliances that are use everyday. This potential toxic may affect a local community that live near the Hudson River because they are being exposed to the chemicals that are transmitted through the environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, they stated, “Once PCBs entered the river, they were deposited and mixed with the sediments at many locations on the river bottom and at some locations along the shoreline in the floodplain. PCBs build up in the environment (bioaccumulate), increasing in concentration as you move up the food chain.” (“EPA”, 2016) This shows that it is possible for this toxic to leak into the river which would be consumed by living organism that live there such as fishes. Rivers plays a major role moving PCBs throughout moving waters because it can locate PCBs anywhere. Also, according to the National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration website, they states, “Microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, or fungi, biodegrade PCBs when found in soil or sediments.”(“NOAA”, 2014) This shows how it is possible for this toxin to hit land because it would be sunk into the soil, which can impact anyone who comes in contact with the dirt. This would result in being intoxicated with PCBs in the long run and would harm their health if they are not full aware of this

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