EPA Admits Decades-Long Lack of Inspections on PCB-Contaminated Buildings in Pittsfield

PITTSFIELD, MA - In a startling revelation, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has admitted to not conducting any formal inspections of abandoned buildings at the former General Electric (GE) facility in Pittsfield for nearly 40 years. The admission came in response to inquiries from local resident Kaitlyn Pierce, who has been seeking answers about potential health risks associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) contamination in the community.

The EPA stated in an email dated September 27, 2024:

"EPA has not conducted any formal inspections of the abandoned buildings and we have no inspection notes, due in part, to safety issues."

These buildings, which contained equipment with PCB oils such as circuit breakers, switch gears, motors, and pumps, have been left uninspected in the middle of a populated area known for PCB contamination. The equipment could not be safely removed prior to demolition and was only addressed as part of the recent demolition activities.

Kaitlyn Pierce, a lifelong Pittsfield resident, expressed profound concern over this information.

"It's deeply unsettling to learn that for nearly four decades, no formal inspections were conducted on buildings known to house PCB-containing equipment," Pierce said. "These structures sat deteriorating in our community, potentially posing unknown risks to our health and environment. If safety concerns prevented EPA officials from entering these buildings, how were they deemed safe to remain standing amidst homes, schools, and parks?"

Pierce's concerns are further amplified by the EPA's stance on vapor-phase PCB monitoring. In their communications, the EPA stated:

"Regarding your questions about our response to your email, we have answered your questions in our prior email, but we note the following additional information... Years of groundwater monitoring show no exceedances of DEP's indoor air groundwater PCB standards and no evidence to indicate PCB-contaminated groundwater is migrating away from GE property at concentrations that would cause an indoor air issue. Therefore, there has been no need to perform actual testing inside buildings for PCB vapors from site-related groundwater."

This position contrasts sharply with scientific evidence suggesting that PCBs can volatilize and become airborne, posing significant health risks through inhalation. The EPA's own vapor intrusion guidelines (June 2015) acknowledge:

"Some polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, a dense NAPL (DNAPL), can be a source of vapor intrusion."

Pierce points out that by focusing solely on groundwater and ambient air monitoring near remediation sites, the EPA overlooks potential exposure pathways such as vapor intrusion from contaminated soils or building materials.

"The absence of comprehensive vapor-phase PCB monitoring means we're potentially exposed to harmful toxins without even knowing it," Pierce said.

"Relying on outdated protocols ignores the science and puts our health at risk."

A study out of Albany, NY titled "PCBs in Indoor Air and Human Blood in Pittsfield, Massachusetts" by Ann Casey, Brian Bush, and David O. Carpenter (2022) presents compelling evidence of elevated PCB levels among local residents:

Serum PCB Levels: The median serum PCB level in Pittsfield residents was 4.2 ng/g, at least four times higher than the national average.

Indoor Air Contamination: Median PCB concentrations were 20.3 ng/m³ in basement air and 11.4 ng/m³ in living room air-significantly higher than outdoor air levels and typical background levels.

The study suggests that PCB exposure is occurring through pathways not currently being monitored by the EPA, such as vapor intrusion from contaminated soils or building materials. "This study confirms what many of us have feared-that we're being exposed to dangerous levels of PCBs in our own homes," Pierce said. "Despite this, the EPA maintains that there's no need for indoor air sampling or vapor monitoring, putting regulatory compliance over human health."

In response to inquiries, the EPA stated:

"EPA properly evaluated the vapor intrusion pathway, and no indoor air sampling was warranted. To be clear, there is no discrepancy in EPA's response."

Pierce has been actively communicating with the EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to understand the implications of this oversight. She posed critical questions to the EPA, highlighting the contradiction between prioritizing inspectors' safety while seemingly neglecting the safety of nearby residents.

Unanswered Questions

Community Safety: "If safety concerns prevented inspections, what measures were taken to protect the community from potential exposure over the past 40 years?" Pierce asked.

Delayed Action: "Why was there no earlier intervention to assess and mitigate risks associated with these buildings?"

Health Implications: With PCB exposure linked to various health issues, including cancer and severe neurological disorders, Pierce is concerned about the long-term health effects on residents.

Health data from the Massachusetts Community Health Assessment report indicates that Pittsfield residents experience higher rates of several chronic conditions compared to state averages:

Asthma prevalence: 14.89% in Pittsfield vs. 9.55% statewide.

Cancer incidence rate: 463.7 per 100,000 vs. 449.4.

Diabetes prevalence: 15.27% vs. 11.94%.

Heart disease prevalence: 8.0% vs. 6.6%.

Hypertension prevalence: 47.47% vs. 40.94%.

"These statistics are alarming and may be indicative of environmental health impacts," Pierce noted. "Without proper inspections and monitoring, we cannot fully understand or address the risks we face."

Calls for Immediate and Comprehensive Action

Pierce and fellow concerned residents are urging the EPA, MassDEP, and GE to take decisive steps:

Implement Comprehensive Vapor Monitoring: Conduct indoor air sampling across Pittsfield to assess vapor-phase PCB concentrations in homes and schools, especially Allendale Elementary which sits feet from Hill 78.

Acknowledge Scientific Evidence: Reevaluate current monitoring protocols in light of the Casey et al. study and update practices accordingly.

Prioritize Public Health Over Regulatory Compliance: Adjust standards and actions to reflect current scientific understanding of PCB exposure and health impacts.

Enhance Transparency and Communication: Provide clear, detailed information about contamination levels and health risks to residents.

Offer Health Support: Facilitate access to medical testing for PCB exposure and provide resources for affected individuals.

Pierce criticized the EPA's focus on compliance over proactive health protection:

"Focusing solely on existing regulations ignores the real-world evidence of harm," she said. "Regulatory compliance should not come at the expense of our community's health."

The lack of action despite compelling scientific evidence has left residents feeling vulnerable.

"We cannot accept inaction when our health is at stake," Pierce asserted. "We need our regulators to step up, acknowledge the science, and take immediate steps to protect us."

For More Information

Contact:

Kaitlyn Pierce
Email: sickofpittsfieldpcbs@gmail.com

Kaitlyn Pierce
Sickofpittsfieldpcbs@gmail.com

William Stanley Business Park
Pittsfield, MA 01201

About Sick of Pittsfield PCBs

This initiative is led by community members dedicated to addressing environmental health concerns and inaction in Pittsfield. The group seeks transparency from authorities and advocates for actions that protect the health and well-being of all residents.
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/healpittsfield

Editor's Note

Relevant email correspondence between Kaitlyn Pierce and the EPA, as well as health data references, are available upon request.

Background

The former GE facility in Pittsfield has been a known site of PCB contamination for decades. PCBs, which were widely used in electrical equipment, are toxic chemical compounds associated with serious health risks. The EPA has been involved in overseeing the cleanup and remediation efforts at the site. However, the recent admission of a decades-long lapse in building inspections, failure to address new science, and the total lack of medical awareness raises questions about the effectiveness of these efforts and the potential impact on community health.

This release was published on openPR.