Pilot Survey of Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Mercury in Rural Soils of the U.S.

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Abstract

EPA has released a final report entitled, Pilot Survey of Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Mercury in Rural Soils of the United States. The survey measured levels of dioxins, PCBs and mercury in soil at 27 sites in rural/remote areas distributed across the country.

Many environmental contaminants accumulate in soils. Understanding the concentrations and spatial distribution of these chemicals is critical to determining how they may contribute to human exposure via direct contact or uptake through the food chain. The purpose of the report is to provide a national-scale pilot survey of the levels of the following chemicals in rural soils of the United States:
  • polychlorinared dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs or CDDs),
  • polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs or CDFs),
  • polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and
  • mercury.
All samples were collected during 2003 and analyzed by Battelle in Columbus, OH.

Impact/Purpose

This survey measured levels of dioxins, PCBs and mercury in soil at 27 sites in rural/remote areas distributed across the country.

Citation

U.S. EPA. Pilot Survey of Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Mercury in Rural Soils of the U.S. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-05/043F, 2007.

History/Chronology

Date Description
01-2003The soil samples were collected during the Summer/Fall of 2003.
02-Aug 2004EPA completed the internal peer review.
03-Dec 2005An independent external peer review was completed by a 5 person expert panel.
04-Apr 2007EPA released the final report.

This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.