EPA: Low PCB concentration on root crops

The level of polychlorinated biphenyl contamination in the samples of taro and yams tested from Tanapag village is at least 10 times lower than the level considered as toxic by guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

This was pointed out by EPA Pacific Insular Area Programs Manager Norman L. Lovelace, who added that the findings were based on the unlimited consumption of food with PCB concentration, including shellfish, taro and yams, by children.

Mr. Lovelace said the difference on the reporting units of concentration made by EPA and the independent specialists resulted in the confusion which made it appear that the level of concentration is about 1,000 times higher than the actual number.

“If you look at the number, it looks about a thousand times higher because of the reporting units used. But in looking at the guidelines EPA has for unlimited consumption for the most sensitive sector of the population, who are the children, the level is 10 times less than the levels of concern,” he emphasized.

Mr. Lovelace stressed that the level of PCB concentration for unlimited consumption of taro and yam is deemed to be safe under the EPA guidelines. “It is considerably below the levels of concern,” he said.

But he was quick to point out that the studies involved sampling of taro and yams collected from Tanapag and that the result does not speak of every single root crop in the village. “We made sampling and that’s what the testing showed.”

The AGO, citing a report on the results of investigation made by the Test Law Practice Group and Meridian Hydrotechnical Services, disclosed high concentration of PCB on taro and yam collected and tested from Tanapag.

This prompted the Tanapag Action Group to discourage residents from consuming the root crops despite the apprehension of the Department of Public Health in issuing an advisory banning the consumption of taro and yam.

DPH, however, warned against the consumption of land crabs gathered from Tanapag pending the completion of a more thorough investigation now being conducted by the EPA, after earlier tests indicate existence of PCB concentration on the shellfish.

A tests on land crabs in the Tanapag done in May 2000 revealed five of the eight crabs collected and examined from an area near the village’s Cemetery-2 showed some PCB contamination.

Results of the testing of land crabs will be submitted to the DEQ, the health department, the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Registry, the Army Corps of Engineers and will be immediately made known to the public. (AR Fajardo)