PCBs in the Great Lakes: Reducing Exposure

Environmental Profile of PCBs in the Great Lakes

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REDUCING EXPOSURE

Reduce or Modify Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Consumption

Many different types of fish and wildlife can contain PCBs, including carp, catfish, in some cases sport fish such as walleye and salmon as well as turtles and game birds. In general, the older and fattier species will tend to have higher concentrations of PCBs. Limiting consumption of Great Lakes fish and wildlife, especially those where advisories have been placed can reduce PCB exposure. To find out about fish advisories, please see the fish advisory section.

Filleting and different cooking methods can also reduce the amount of PCBs in fish. A diagram from the Minnesota Department of Health website shows how to remove the skin and fat from a fish, which can reduce the amount of PCBs you wind up consuming. In addition, baking or broiling, as lower-fat cooking methods, will also help to reduce the amount of PCBs you consume.

where fat should be removed from a fish prior to cooking.

Limit Spread of Any Occupational Exposure to PCBs

Although PCBs are no longer in commerce, depending on your job, you could be exposed to PCBs. If you are, be sure to decontaminate properly and thoroughly and avoid bringing home any PCBs on clothing or shoes/boots.

Avoid Contact with Known PCB Contamination

A. Be Aware of Environmental PCB Contamination

Superfund sites:

Score card lists location of Superfund sites by state and county
EPA's Superfund database (by State and City)
AOCs - these are historically contaminated areas, with PCB contamination at many of them. Find the AOCs nearest you or of interest at the website of the Great Lakes National Program Office of U.S. EPA. Note that sediments are the most likely source of PCB contamination but can also remain in floodplain soils.

B. Avoid Electrical Equipment - Transformers and Capacitors

Capacitor

Limit contact with transformers and capacitors as some may still contain PCBs.

Transformer

View additional pictures of this equipment to familiarize yourself with it.

For a more detailed discussion on how you can reduce you and your family's exposure to PCBs please see ATSDR's Public Health statement.