DEQ news releases
You can sign up to receive DEQ news releases by email with DEQ's new public communications tool, DEQcast.
Virginia DEQ finds significant PCB levels in James, Elizabeth river watersheds
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESept. 24, 2009
Contact: Bill Hayden, DEQ
(804) 698-4447
william.hayden@deq.virginia.gov
RICHMOND, VA. -- Testing of the upper tidal portions of the James and Elizabeth river watersheds shows that significant amounts of PCBs are reaching the rivers from sources on land, according to an ongoing study by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
DEQ is conducting the investigation of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, to help determine the extent of PCB contamination in the James and Elizabeth rivers. In the past, PCBs usually were detected in fish tissue or soil. Testing methods, though, have advanced to the point where very small amounts of PCBs can be measured directly in the water.
PCBs now can be detected at the level of picograms per liter, or parts per quadrillion. One part per quadrillion is equivalent to a single postage stamp on an envelope the size of California and Oregon combined. The water quality standard for PCBs in water – designed to protect fish and other aquatic life – is 640 ppq.
"The investigation of PCBs in the James and Elizabeth rivers is a complex task that will require time to complete," DEQ Director David K. Paylor said. "As we continue our investigation, we will focus on pinpointing sources of PCBs so we can take steps to reduce contamination levels in fish."
PCB results for the James River suggest that PCBs are actively entering the river from numerous tributaries, and ultimately from sources on land. These are in addition to previously identified PCB "hot spots" near the river between Richmond and Hopewell.
Water in the main channel of the James contains PCB levels that are near the water quality standard. However, results from several Richmond-area tributaries – including Almond Creek, Gillie Creek and the Kanawha Canal – show they are contributing significant amounts of PCBs to the river. PCB concentrations in these tributaries range from about 2,500 ppq to 18,000 ppq.
In the Hopewell area, Bailey Creek, Gravelly Run, an unnamed tributary to Cattail Creek and Poythress Run also are contributing significant amounts of PCBs to the James. PCBs in these streams range from 1,600 ppq to 233,000 ppq.
Water samples collected in the Elizabeth River also reveal areas of elevated PCB contamination. Most of the samples collected in the Southern Branch exceed the water quality standard, and the highest concentration of PCBs was detected near the mouth of Deep Creek (140,000 ppq). The Eastern Branch also yielded elevated concentrations. The highest concentration was observed near Military Boulevard (187,000 ppq). PCB concentrations are near the water quality standard in the Western Branch and the Elizabeth River mainstem. Inconclusive results indicate that the upper Lafayette River requires additional study.
The James River study includes the area from the fall line in Richmond at the Mayo Bridge, through Hopewell to about six miles downstream of the Benjamin Harrison Bridge. Several tributaries of the James, including the lower Appomattox River stretching upstream to Petersburg, and several small Appomattox tributaries also are being studied.
The PCB study area for the Elizabeth River includes the main channel beginning at the mouth of the river in Norfolk, along with the Eastern, Southern and Western branches, the Lafayette River and several small tributaries.
The PCB studies were initiated because these rivers are on DEQ's list of impaired, or polluted, waters. The source investigation is the first step in a study known as a "total maximum daily load." A TMDL identifies pollution sources and includes a plan for reducing the movement of pollutants to impaired streams. Additional investigation of possible PCB sources will continue as part of the TMDL process.
PCBs are chemicals once used as insulators or fire retardants in petroleum products such as transformer oil. Although the United States stopped manufacturing PCBs in the 1970s, they still can be found in the environment where they have leaked into the soil and water. The Virginia Department of Health recommends that pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, nursing mothers, infants and young children should avoid eating PCB-contaminated fish from advisory areas. A full list of waters and fish affected by the advisories is available on the health department's website at www.vdh.virginia.gov.
For more Virginia environmental news, check out DEQ news clips.