Health Concerns Continue in City that Housed PCB Manufacturing Plant

Last month, FoxNews.com published a report about the ongoing challenges faced by Anniston, Alabama in the city’s battle to cleanup polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination.  The Anniston PCB site consists of the entire area in and around the city where the chemicals can be found.

Up until 1999, when the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shut down Fort McClellan Army base, the city housed the Army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Corps which disposed of chemical weapons.  Anniston was also home to a major chemical manufacturing plant that produced PCBs from 1929 until 1971.  According to the EPA, “During its operational history, the plant disposed of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in various areas, including the West End Landfill and the South Landfill, which are located adjacent to the plant.”  In addition, the agency states that a wastewater stream containing PCBs was discharged into a ditch which flowed into a nearby creek.

Although the site is not currently listed on the National Priorities List (NPL), it is considered to be an NPL-caliber site and is being addressed through the Superfund Alternative Approach.

“Residents of Anniston continue to deal with PCB contamination concerns in water, soil and contaminated dusts that can make their way into their homes and schools,” said Joseph Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Unfortunately, there are many contaminated sites across the nation that have PCBs and other hazardous chemical concerns that are the result of actions taken decades ago.  At EMSL, our NELAC Accredited Environmental Chemistry Laboratory offers testing services to detect the presence of PCBs from a wide range of environmental samples.  This testing can help identify these chemical compounds to protect area residents, workers and the environment.”

EMSL recently released an online video about PCB testing services that can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpV_8JgAlE.

To learn more about PCB testing services, please visit www.PCBTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

Contact via E-mail