Why did GE dump PCBs in the Hudson River?
5/28/93 GE says that PCBs have probably been leaking from the ground at its Hudson Falls plant since at least the early 1980’s. In 1991 a sudden increase in water flow through the abandoned Allen Mill structure between the GE plant site and the river is blamed for the high PCB levels.
Are there PCBs in the Hudson River?
For 30 years ending in the late 1970s, the General Electric Company (GE) discharged as much as 1.3 million pounds of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) into the Hudson River from its capacitor manufacturing plants in Hudson Falls and Fort Edward, New York. The PCBs remain in the river sediment.
What did GE use PCBs for?
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of synthetic oil-like chemicals of the organochlorine family. Until their toxic nature was recognized and their use was banned in the 1970’s, they were widely used as insulation in electrical equipment, particularly transformers.
Where do most of the PCBs in the Hudson River come from?
The source of the PCB discharges was two GE capacitor manufacturing plants located in Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, New York, about 50 miles north of Albany. GE’s PCBs are now found in sediment, water and wildlife throughout the Hudson River ecosystem as far south as the New York Harbor. They are also found in people.
Did GE dredge the Hudson?
On April 11, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirmed GE successfully completed the Hudson River dredging project. EPA concluded that the dredging project was effective in reducing PCB levels and said these declines are expected to continue. EPA’s report confirmed no additional dredging is necessary.
Do sharks swim up the Hudson River?
“Saltwater is not the only turf for a shark…. it’s been reported of sharks swimming up to 100 miles up rivers for a long time. Bull sharks have been reported in the past swimming in the Hudson. The DEC told the New York Post, while its rare, smooth dogfish sharks have been found in the Hudson River in the past.
What is the dirtiest river in the US?
Mississippi River After the Ohio River, the Mississippi river is the most polluted river in the United States and is considered genuinely the most polluted river as it lacks the diluting action of the Ohio River and also due to the recent oil spillage which occurred in the Mississippi river back in 2014.
What cleaning method has been used to remove PCBs Polychlorinated biphenyl from the Hudson River?
In 2001, after a ten-year study of PCB contamination in the Hudson River, EPA proposed a plan to clean up the river by dredging more than 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) of PCBs. The worst PCB hotspots are targeted for remediation by removing and disposing of more than 2.6 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment.
What does PCB look like?
PCBs are manufactured as oily liquids or solids and range from colorless to light yellow in color. They have no known smell or taste.
Are there bodies in the Hudson River?
From pollution to Poe Grisly tales of the bodies of the Hudson River regularly make headlines. On July 4, 2020, The New York Post reports, two were found within hours of each other: the first was a young Manhattan woman, recovered early that morning. Killers have also disposed of their victims in the river.
Has there ever been a shark in the Hudson River?
Although it is likely that several shark species rarely migrate to and from the island, eg. Blue shark, short tip shark, hammerhead shark and thresher shark, there are only four species of sharks that are regularly found in the area. These are the sand tiger shark, sandbar shark, dogfish and greyhound shark.