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Title: Ambient Air Exposure to PCBs: Regulation and Monitoring at Five Contaminated Sites in EPA Regions 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Authors: Basra, Komal; Scammell, Madeleine K; Benson, Eugene B; Heiger-Bernays, Wendy

Published In New Solut, (2018 08)

Abstract: Existing regulations seek to protect the public from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in food, water, and soil. Exposure to PCBs in ambient air has recently been given explicit consideration in the human health risk assessments that form the basis of risk management decisions at contaminated sites. The objective of this paper is to examine how ambient air exposure to PCBs is regulated and monitored at five contaminated sites in the United States. We reviewed online accessible materials (including Environmental Protection Agency-site specific websites, data repositories, and other agency websites). Results indicate that the five sites vary in regard to the measured PCB concentrations in air, the sampling and monitoring methodologies, and the established site-specific guidelines/standards and their basis. We conclude that current practices may not adequately protect those living or working near these sites from airborne PCB exposure and that regulations should include recognition of exposure to indoor sources.

PubMed ID: 29558851 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Air Pollutants/adverse effects; Air Pollutants/analysis*; Air Pollutants/standards; Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects; Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects; Environmental Exposure/analysis*; Environmental Exposure/standards; Environmental Monitoring/methods; Federal Government; Humans; Inhalation Exposure/adverse effects; Inhalation Exposure/analysis*; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/adverse effects; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/analysis*; Polychlorinated Biphenyls/standards*; State Government; United States; United States Environmental Protection Agency/standards

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