EPA OKs shipment of PCB-laced soil to US

Tanapag villagers received full support from Guam and US Environmental Protection Agency officials after amendments were made to the Toxic Substance Control Act which warrants the shipment of PCB-contaminated soil to mainland.

Even Guam Environmental Protection Agency lamented that PCBs from several cleanups are in indefinite storage on the island. These storage areas are subject to damage by frequent typhoons and earthquakes.

“The proposed rule would remove a tremendous burden on Guam and ensure that a safe and viable mechanism existed for the protection of health and the environment of Guam and other US territories communities from PCB waste,” the EPA report reads.

Pacific islanders pressed for the immediate disposal of PCB-contaminated soil to help eliminate threats to the health and welfare of affected territories.

Tanapag Action Group chair Juan Tenorio yesterday expressed hopes that the recent ruling will eventually end the problem of the community since contaminated soil will be properly disposed of.

He said Pacific islanders and other non-US territories where military bases were set up should join hands to urge the federal government in cleaning their waste and bring them back home if necessary.

“They should take their waste with them, all islanders should join hands to make this call. We all want the PCB to be shipped out of the Northern Marianas,” said Mr. Tenorio in an interview.

According to EPA’s reports on Return of PCB Waste from US territories Outside the Customs Territory of the United States, there is a difficulty in managing hazardous waste on a small tropical island with limited land resources, a single source of drinking water, and frequent tropical storms, earthquakes and volcanoes.

EPA has amended its rules in order to clarify that PCB waste in US territories and possessions outside the federal custom territory may be moved to the mainland US for proper disposal.

“The rule will allow US territories to dispose of their PCB waste in the mainland of the United States where facilities are available. Because disposal of these wastes may occur only at approved facilities, no unreasonable risks to health or the environment on the mainland US should be created by this rule. The rule shall become effective on April 30,” the report further stressed.

The regulatory agency further assessed that PCBs are toxic and there are risks associated with management that cannot be completely prevented. Disposal of PCBs is strictly controlled to minimize release to the environment and EPA has a strong commitment to ensuring the protection of these communities by mitigating their risk of exposure to PCBs. (EGA)