1 15 8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 171 Folder The folder containing the original item. 5083 Series The series number of the original item. Series VII Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Title A name given to the resource Letter to Alvin L. Young from Arnold Schecter, February 19, 1985 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 124 Folder The folder containing the original item. 3497 Series The series number of the original item. Series VI Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Chemosphere Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1983 Title A name given to the resource Contamination of an Office Building in Binghamton, New York by PCBs, Dioxins, Furans,and Biphenylenes After an Electrical Panel and Electrical Transformer Incident https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/files/original/d09e5018355eaded4005465213b014b7.pdf 3a158e8474d3ca4eea02973127471bbd PDF Text Text Item D Number °2287 Author Schecter, Arnold Corporate Author ROpOrt/ArtlGlO TltlB Typescript: Transient Liver Pathology in Patients Consuming Water from a Private Well Contaminated by PCBs from a Submersible Water Pump, [nd] Journal/Book Title Year Month/Day Color D Number of Images 6 DOSCrlPtOll NOtBS Typescript of article published in Chemosphere, 1987, vol. 16, no.1,pp.37-42. Thursday, September 20, 2001 Page 2287 of 2293 �TRANSIENT LIVER PATHOLOGY IN PATIENTS CONSUMING WATER FROM A PRIVATE WELL CONTAMINATED BY PC3s FROM A SUBMERSIBLE WATER PUMP Arnold Schecter Department of Preventive Medicine Upstate Medical Canter Clinical Campus State University of New York Binghamton, New York 13901 ABSTRACT Submersible water pumps in private water wells have in some instances been found to contain PCBs in their oil. When these pumps leak they may release PCSs into the drinking water constituting a potential health hazard. IHTROOUCTIOH Since 1982, in New York State, and in Wisconsin, a number of private water wells, usually in rural areas, have been found to be contaminated with PCBs. The source of this contamination is thought to be submersible water pumps from several manufacturers where PCBs were apparently, found in the oil of the pumps or in their capacitors. Although the manufacturers deny Intentionally putting PCBs in these pumps, the presence of PCSs has been documented by State and County Health Departments from 1982 through 1985 in Broome County and adjacent areas in Upstate New York as well as in Wisconsin. PCB levels in drinking water from these wells has been found to be as high as 57 times greater than State PCB drinking water standards at this time. Whether significant health consequences occur depends on the Ingested dose of specific PCS isomers with their usually coexisting chlorinated dibenzofurans and less frequently coexisting chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins. A medical case study with transiently elevated liver enzymes found in three members of a family after ingestion of PCBs 1n their drinking water is presented. FINDINGS A family of three came to the Upstate Medical Center affiliated Faculty Practice Occupational Medicine Clinic in Binghamton, New York, located at Binghamton General �Hospital, with.complaints of feeling sick from documented ingestion of PCBs in their drinking water for at least one week, with accompanying subjective, primarily central nervous system, symptoms of discomfort, a feeling of generalized illness and "dizziness". The family members had noted a chemical odor and a film on the water at times. A Health Department investigation had determined that the source of PCBs and a chemical taste in their water was a submersible water pump of a type shown in Figures 1 and 2, which had been leaking. The pump in question, a Barnes pump from the Barnes Manufacturing Co. of Mansfield, Ohio and Oakland, California, had detectable PCBs when tested by the State Health Depart{12} ment.v ' ' Upon review of Health Department records, it was found that Peabody Barnes Pumps were found to have PCSs which leaked in nine instances between 1982 and 1985. ' ' Some pumps were found to have 2.5% PCBs in their oil, when tested by the State Health Department. In the pump owned by the patients in this case study, there was a finding of 6.6 parts per billion of PCBs in the drinking water. The leaking pump oil was found to have 630,000 parts per billion of PCBs. Analysis for polychlorinated dibenzofurans which so frequently accompany PCBs was not performed. Patients with PCS contaminated water noted bad odors, peculiar taste, a petroleum-like taste, and a disorientation or "spaced out" feeling after drinking the water. Serum PCB levels in the three patients followed by us, a mother, father and 12 year old son, seen one month after the consumption of water contaminated with PCBs were quite low, below 2 ppb; whereas serum PCB values for adults from this part of Upstate New York are usually about 5-10 ppb. The family's diet was somewhat unusual in that they usually ate "natural" foods, usually vegetables, and also Ingested high levels of vitamins. Abnormal (elevated) liver enzymes were found in blood tests performed on all three members of this family who ingested the PCS contaminated water for an estimated one weak. These abnormal values, indicative of liver damage, returned to normal levels within one month after the initial values were documented, or two months after ingestion of water contaminated with PCBs, suggesting that the acute injury was a transient one. No clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatitis or drug induced liver damage was found. The patients recovered from their acute medical problems but are being followed for possible delayed onset pathology. New York State "Safe Drinking Water Guidelines" for PCBs is one part per billion.^ Water from wells contaminated by oil from these pumps, schematically diagramed in Figures 2, 3, and 4, have shown between .26 and 57 parts per billion, according to State records. ' Tests of the oil from the contaminated pumps have shown 630,000 to 24,000,000 parts per billion of PCBs. Tests of the lubricating oil fn these pumps have shown that levels of PCBs have been found in pumps more than 20 years old and as new as a 1982 model. To date the brands of pumps Involved have been Barnes or Peabody Barnes, Reda and Myers, (2^ ' According to the Water Systems Council, Inc,, SOS of private well pumps are above ground units and the remaining 50% are submersible units. Half are oil cooled and half are water cooled. Census figures for 1982 describe 12,000,000 homes connected to private wells in the U.S.A.^ By way of comparison, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sets a 2 parts per million PCB tolerance level for fish consumption. The P.O.A. recommends eating fish at this level �Check valve Radial bearing Impellers Pump Intake Seal Electric motor Pressure equalizing tube I Thrust and radial bearing Fluid chamber Fig. 2 - This schematic diagrams the internal components of a submersible water pump. Fig. 1 - A Health Department technician is shown holding a PCB contaminated submersible water pump. �\ 150'OF DISCHARGE PIPE WITH 2 - 90° ELBOWS PUMP Fig. 3 - A typical arrangement of a submersible water pump, well, and pipe fixtures leading to a hone Is shown here. �no more than once per week. ' A half pound or eight ounce serving of fish contaminated at this limit would contain 500 nricrograms of PCBs. win. SEAl SlfjDC* V A L V E ' • AI» INTAKE VAIVE !/•;.% :.:•• if NO CHAIN is AVAIIA»U MQTO» \-J Fig. 4 - This schematic depiction details the apparatus immediately related to the pump and well. Also, for comparison, if two liters of water at the New York state Drinking Water PCS Guidelines are consumed for 70 years with a one part per billion PCS level this has been calculated to lead to one additional cancer death per 10,000 persons according to State (a) Health Department calculations. ' Additional concern has been raised by an EPA study performed under contract by Versar, Inc., of Springfield, VA, in 1980 which estimated that 1,100,000 wells may have PC8 capacitors in the well motors. ' This is different from the current findings of PCBs in the oil of the motors or pumps themselves, rather than the capacitors. �SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Submersible water pumps in private wells are widespread, especially in rural areas, and may constitute a potential health hazard, especially if they contain PCSs with the usually concomitant chlorinated dlbenzofurans and occasional chlorinated dibenzo-p-diox1ns. These leaking pumps have been demonstrated to contaminate drinking water above levels considered safe for human consumption, PCBs apparently were used in these pumps from at least three known manufacturers at least in the United States without the admitted knowledge of the l&\ presence of PCSs, except in the capacitors, by any party/ ' The extent of these contaminated pumps remain to be documented. To date the only incidents known to us are the nine pumps 1n and around the Broome County, New York area, where the public and health department are especially sensitive to the possible presence of PCBs since the PCS, dloxtn and furan contaminated State Office Building incident of February 1981, ' and In Wisconsin where the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WONR) has also detected PCB contamination in private well water with submersible water pumps as the probable source. It is unclear as to whether only the capacitors contain PCBs or whether the pump oil Itself, usually pharmaceutical grade mineral oil, also contains PCBs. News releases to the public and a notice to well drillers and installers have been issued 1n Wisconsin by the WONR. Further sampling of lubricating oil from additional pumps and water from more wells 1s planned 1n Wisconsin. However, the nationwide distribution of these pumps suggests that other Instances will be documented when the possibility of PCB contamination exists in similar submersible water pumps.elsewhere in the world. Because of the large number of such pumps In the United States and worldwide, it is possible that these may constitute a potential human health hazard. Further chemical testing of suspect pumps and water 1s Indicated and appropriate medical evaluation of patients exposed to PCS contamination is Indicated, including routine blood screening tests as well as blood PCB levels, serially'obtained wherever the possibility of a transient elevation above the patient's baseline exists. REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Personal communication, Broome County Health Department. Personal communication, Environmental Health Division, New York State Health Department. Mew York State Safe Drinking Water Guidelines, 1984. The Sunday Press, Odato, J.M., July 7, 1985; The Evening Press. OdatO, J.M., July 8, 1985; Press & Sun-Bulletin, Odato, J.M., December 8 & 11, 1985. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Guidelines for Consumption of PCB Contaminated F1sh, 1982. Woodcock, 8. and Powers, P., (Versar, Inc.), PCB Contamination of Well Water: An Engineering Risk assessment, U.S. EPA Document EPA-570/9-SQ-OQ1, January 1982. Schecter, A., Contamination of an Office Building in Blnghamton, New York by PCSs, 01ox1ns, Furans and Biphenylenes after an Electrical Panel and Electrical Transformer Incident, Chemosphere, 12, (4/5), 669-680, Pergamon Press Ltd., London, 1983. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 090 Folder The folder containing the original item. 2287 Series The series number of the original item. Series IV Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Title A name given to the resource Typescript: Transient Liver Pathology in Patients Consuming Water from a Private Well Contaminated by PCBs from a Submersible Water Pump, [nd] Subject The topic of the resource BSOB health studies PCBs water pollution https://www.nal.usda.gov/exhibits/speccoll/files/original/14d0e2d78f993312db0955cb0e397912.pdf caeb26bc9362ca281b82285f3460340b PDF Text Text Item D Number °2285 Schecter, Arnold Corporate Author Report/Article Title Typescript: The Binghamton State Office Building PCB, Dioxin and Dibenzofuran Electrical Transformer Incident: 1981-1986, [nd] Journal/Book Title Year Month/Day Color D Number of Images 8 Descrtaton NOtBS Typescript of chapter published in: Crummett, O., et al, Chlorinated Dioxins and Related Compounds, 1986, vol. 15, no. 9-12, pp. 1273-1280. Thursday, September 20, 2001 Page 2285 of 2293 �THE BINGHAMTON STATE OFFICE BUILDING PCS, OIOXIN AND DIBENZOFURAN ELECTRICAL TRANSFORMER INCIDENT: 1981-1986. Arnold Schecter Department of Preventive Medicine, Upstate Medical Center, Clinical Campus, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13901 ABSTRACT The Binghamton State Office Building (BS08) polychlorinated biphenyl (PCS) and chlorinated benzene containing electrical transformer arcing and fire incident of February 5, 1981, was the first recognized incident of its kind. A surge of excess electricity led to an electrical panel malfunction at 5:30 AM. For about 30 minutes intense heat was generated as electrical arcing occured. Dense smoke containing polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCODs) as well as biphenylenes billowed up through air shafts and contaminated all areas of the building later tested for these chemicals. This incident was the first outside a laboratory setting to demonstrate the conversion of PC3s, in the presence of oxygen and heat, to PCDFs, and of the chlorinated benzenes to PCODs. It demonstrated a hitherto unsuspected potential health hazard of PCS and chlorinated benzene containing electrical transformers, and by implication, capacitors, when not properly separated from areas of buildings used by workers and public. The building has been shut since then and an estimated £40,000,000 may be spent on direct cleanup and rehabilitative costs prior to reopening of the building, if it is to be reopened. Elevated levels of serum PC8s were detected in workers, eg., firefighters initially involved in the fire, which stabilized at lower levels later in the year. Elevated penta- and hexa- chlorinated furan isomers corresponding to Isomers found in the soot (and identical to some Yusho Isomers) were found in some cleanup workers. Electron microscopy of percutaneous liver biopsies of three patients chemically exposed from the incident showed lesions similar to those seen 1n guinea pigs fed the soot, which was biologically quite active. This incident, and others occurring afterward, has led the US Environmental Protection Agency to ban PCS containing transformers from similar buildings. INTRODUCTION On February 5, 1981 an electrical malfunction in a modern, 18 story office building led to overheating of a transformer in the BSOB, Binghamton, New York, about 180 miles northwest of New York City. Between 180 and 200 US gallons of transformer fluid leaked from the overheated transformer in a basement of the building. This fluid originally was constituted as a 6S% Arochlor 1254 and a 35X tri- and tetra- chlorinated benzene containing mixture. Due to an unusual arrangement of air shafts, ducting and air handling systems the entire building was �contaminated, Including hidden spaces under floors, spaces above false ceilings, and inside air ducts (1,2). Initial sampling showed the soot to be 5% PCS in content. In addition, 2,168,000 parts per billion (ppb) of PCDFs, 20,000 ppb of PCDOs as well as 50,000 ppb of chlorinated biphenylenes were also found in soot samples. Since that time the building has been subject to a variety of cleanup efforts. During the first few weeks after the accident, several hundred workers were exposed to the chemicals by virtue of being involved as office workers, cleanup workers, electricians, police, firefighters, security workers and, initially, firefighters and police. Lawsuits were filed, or the intent to sue was initiated, in some instances possibly to not lose the right to eventual lawsuit, should Injury from chemicals develop at a later date. Under present New York law, a lawsuit must be filed within three years after the incident-net the injury or illness-or the statute of limitations precludes initiation of lawsuits. The Mew York State legislature is considering changing this law which predates an understanding of the latency period involved in some chemical injuries, especially in the case of carcinogens or reproductive toxins, such as those involved in this incident. As a result of the Binghamton Incident, and others which followed, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has ruled that PCS containing transformers must be phased out in several years in many public buildings. Their action was based partially on economic considerations, as well as on health considerations. The 3S03 was constructed less than twenty years ago at a cost of 17 million dollars. Its total cleanup costs are estimated to be 40 million dollars, including replacement of furnishings. Certain hidden spaces will be cleaned and others will not. Estimated time of opening is in 1987, 6 years after the incident. RESULTS Toxlcoloqical findings (3-5) include the following: The 8SOB soot does not Inactivate the chemicals as determined by guinea pig bioassays. For example, the rate of cancers is increased in animals fed the BSOB soot as compared to control animals. Electron microscopic findings in liver cells were similar to those previously described in animals or persons exposed to PCSs, PCDFs or 2,3,7,8 TCOO. The toxicity of this mixture appears to be to a large extent due to the level of 2,3,7,8 substituted penta- and hexa- chlorinated dlbenzofurans. The 8S08 soot but not fireplace soot or charcoal used as controls lead to malformations in chick embryos as well as decreased viability. Human findings from Singhamton exposed patients include the following (5-10): Elevated serum PCS levels which returned to normal levels within one to two years in some patients including firefighters involved with the fire, with a match of the PCS isomers found 1n soot and adipose tissues, in some cases. Elevated PCOF levels in some exposed patients as compared with Singhamton controls were found, as were elevations of specific Isomers of PCDFs in fat tissue which corresponded to isomers identified 1n the BSOB soot. Some of the penta- and hexachlorinated PCOFs were the same as found in Yusho patients in Japan. Control 8S08 adipose tissue samples revealed, for the first time, the high level of PCDOs and PCDFs In the general US population, around 1,000 to 1,200 ppt on a wet weight basis. These were 2,3,4,7,8, PCOF, 1,2,3,4,7,3 PCDF and 1,2,3,6,7,8 PCDF. Transient serum liver enzyme elevations were found �in some patients as were elevations of triglycerides and cholesterol levels in serum taken shortly after the exposure. These usually returned to normal levels within one year after the incident. Three patients suffered from prolonged elevations of liver enzymes for which no cause other than the chemical exposure could be found. These three patients-exhibited similar ultrastructural alterations to those seen in animals dosed with PCBs, 2,3,7,8 TCDO, the BSOB soot, or in humans exposed to chlordecone (Kepone) (11) or the Yusho rice oil incident (12) Lipid droplets were found in the hepatic parenchyma! cell cytoplasm, as was a slight increase in smooth endoplasnric reticulum. Glycogen was plentiful. Mitochondria were pleomorphic or deformed and giant mitochondria were present. Some cristae lined up parallel rather than perpendicular to the long axis of mitochondria and crystalline structures were found in other mitochondria. Large, dense, electron Intranritochondrial granules were seen in many mitochondria. In addition, several cases of sic in cancer, including one malignant melanoma, were found in exposed workers. Several suicides were reported in the original group of approximately 500 potentially exposed persons, in or near the building in February 1981. Risk assessment calculations for reentry into the building, and "acceptable daily intakes" (AOIs) of PCODs and PCDFs were calculated, possibly for the first time for a building, as part of the SSOB's reentry criteria. The calculations were derived from rat one nanogram per kg per day no effect levels (NOELs) for 2,3,7,3 TCOO. Rats, being intermediate in sensitivity, were chosen rather than the more sensitive guinea pigs, and a safety factor of 500 fold was applied. An assumption was made that other sources of intake such as food or air need not be factored into this equation; rather, that only 8S08 air levels and soot levels of PCODs and PCDFs (but not PCBs to date) need to be considered. Conversion to "2,3,7,8 TCDD equivalents" for other PCDD and-PCDF isomers was employed and a review of the sparse scientific literature was used for conversion factors. Recently, work by Nagayama and associates suggests that conversion factors based on enzyme induction studies- in animals may underestimate toxldty to humans (13). At any rate a 2 picogram/Kg/day is considered an AOI for 2,3,7,8 TCOO equivalents, calculated by the New York method or 10 pg 2378 TCDD equivalents/I^ of air and 25 ng/M2 surface for office worker reentry. The New York approach 1s considerably less conservative than the California method, which assigns an equal potency to all tetra- to hepta 2,3,7,3 chlorine substituted dloxlns and dibenzofurans rather than weighting downwards the higher chlorinated PCODs and PCOFs. This difference is apparent in Table I, modified from New York State BSOB records. It can be seen that using the California method of calculation we have 40 pg/M^ of "2,3,7,8 TCDO equivalents" in the air, well above the allowed 10 pg amount for reentry, but using the New York State Health Department method of calculating dloxin equivalents we find a 7.5 pg/M^ air level, within the level for reentry for workers without protective gear. Despite an apparent similarity in the "dloxin equivalents", 10 pg/M^, used by the New York and California Health Departments, the method of calculation is very different. A further difficulty can be appreciated in Tables II and III. In Table II two highly qualified chemical laboratories analyzed the same sample or a split sample and come up with as much as 17:1 fold differences (2,000 vs 120) or 1:5 fold differences (5,900 vs 29,500) in furan levels, in some instances. In Table III two highly qualified laboratories varied from each other by a factor of from 1.3 to 6.3 fold. Thus, if one cannot be certain of the exact amounts of specific isomers of dioxins �or furans present, there is a further major difficulty in calculating safety for reentry. Few laboratories are able to perform analyses for mixtures containing many isomers because of technical difficulties including chemical cleanup problems, separation difficulties, lack of available chemical standards, and the many chemical interferences possible. In addition the proper GC/MS equipment is needed. Cost is high and turnaround time quite slow at present. Laboratory charges vary from $500 to $2,000 per analysis depending on the number of samples, their difficulty and the analyses desired; average turnaround time is measured in months. Contamination levels of the building after several years of cleaning, usually by repeated washing with steam or water and detergent rather than by removing and replacing walls, floors, and lighting fixtures, can be seen in Tables IV and V. what is noteworthy here 1s the uneven results from this method of cleaning, even after four years and 30 million dollars of cleanup effort, wi, W2, etc., refer to locations and, usually, a floor number. CONCLUSIONS AND DISCUSSION The 8SOB contamination of an office building was the first of its kind to be Identified. It has provided a rich learning experience with respect to medical, legal, insurance, cost, chemical, toxicological and cleanup (vs. dismantling) issues. The unexpected health hazards related to PCS transformers were first documented here, by human and animal data, from the chemically contaminated soot and air. The costs associated with such defective design and/ or maintenance problems as found in the 8S08 were also first documented here. Weaknesses in the New York State legal system with respect to a three year statute of limitations after an incident, rather than after onset of illness, presenting problems for potential plaintiff and defendant alike with respect to chemicals which may cause illness after a latent period, are well documented here. Potentially affected workers must file law suits in that period of time, during which no illness may exist, or forever lose the right to sue later, possibly after the development of cancer or an adverse reproductive outcome occurs, which may or may not be linked to the chemicals of exposure. The use of fat biopsies for determining whether there is or is not an increased body burden of PCODs or PCDFs after such incidents was first documented here, as was the use of liver biopsy ultrastructural analysis as a sensitive although not specific marker of exposure to -dioxlns and related compounds. The usefullness of serial serum PCS measurements in documenting ingestion of PCBs after such acute exposures was documented in Singhamton, as it was previously in the Yusho PC3/PCDF incident. The high level of PCOOs and PCDFs in the general population was unexpected. Difficulties in cleanup techniques and the difficulties in chemical analysis of the Isomers involved has been documented by this incident, as have the difficulties of risk assessment and determination of reentry criteria. The extent of the health hazard posed to persons working in PCS, PCQF and PCOO contaminated buildings is not yet clear. It is only by following exposed workers over time, accurately estimating their exposure, and using a suitable control group that this question will be answered. Special health problems may be posed to the fetus or a nursing newborn if the mother works in such a building. These chemicals are transferred through the placenta and also �in breast milk. The Infant may have a more sensitive immune system than an adult, and the effect of a given level of these chemicals may be greater because of the infant's small size and the long period of time which the chemicals will remain In the body (of a fetus or newborn) as compared to an adult. The intake of PCBs, PCOOs and PCDFs from other sources, such as food, also must be considered. It is possible, based on current knowledge, that current risk assessments either overestimate or underestimate potential human health hazards. What is clear is that it is possible to take steps to minimize human exposure to these toxic compounds. REFERENCES 1. Schecter, A.J., Haughie, Q.F., and Rothenberg, R. PCS transformer fire ~ Binghamton, New York. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 30: 187-193 (May 1, 1981). 2. Schecter, A. Contamination of an office building in Bingnamton, New York, by PCBs, dioxins, furans and biphenylenes after an electrical panel and electrical transformer Incident. Chemosphere 12: 669-680 (1983). 3. Silkworth, J., 0. McMartln, A. DeCapHo, R. Rej, P. O'Keefe, and L. Kaminsky, 1982. Acute toxicity in guinea pigs and rabbits of soot from a polychlorinated, biphenylcontaining transformer fire. Toxieol. Appl. Pharmacol. 65: 425. 4. Turner, J. and 0. Collins, 1983. Liver morphology in guinea pigs administered either pyrolysis products of a polychlorinated biphenyl transformer fluid or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Toxlcol. Appl. Pharmacol. 67: 417. 5. OeCaprio, A.P., O.N. McMartin, J.8. SJTkworth, R. Rej, R. Pause, and L.S. Kaminsky. 1983. Subchronic oral toxicity in guinea pigs of soot from a polychlorinated biphenyl-containing transformer fire. Toxicol. Apgl. Pharmaeol. 68,2: 308. 6. Schecter, A., Schaffner, P., Tiernan, T., and Taylor, M.: Ultrastructural alterations of liver mitochondria after exposure to dioxins, furans, PCB's and biphenylenes. Banbury Report 18: Biological Mechanisms of Dioxin Action. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Banbury Center Publications, pp. 177-189, 1984. 7. Schecter, A., Tiernan, T., Schaffner, F., Taylor, M., Gitlitz, G., Van Ness, G.F., Garrett, J.H., and Wagel, O.J.: Patient fat biopsies for chemical analysis and liver biopsies for ultrastructural characterization after exposure to polychlorinated dloxfns, furans and PCBs. Environmental Health Perspectives, 60:241-254, 1985. 8. Schecter, A. and Tiernan, T.: Occupational exposure to polychlorinated dioxins, polychlorinated furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and biphenylenes after an electrical panel and transformer accident in an office building 1n Slnghamton, New York. Environmental Health Perspectives, 60:305-313, 1985. 9. Schecter, A., Tiernan, T.O., Taylor, M.L., Van Ness, G.F., Garrett, J.H., Wagel, O.J., Gitlitz, G., Bogdasarian, M.: Biological markers after exposure to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-d1oxins, dibenzofurans, biphenyls and biphenylenes, Part I: Findings using fat biopsies to estimate exposure. In: Chlorinated Dioxins and Oibenzofurans in the Total Environment. Part II. Eds., Keith, L. Choudhary, G., and Rappe, C., Butterworth Publishers, Stoneham, Massachusetts., Ann Arbor Science, pp. 215-245, 1985. �10. Schecter, A., Ryan, J.J., Lizotte, R., Sun, W.-F., and Miller, L.: Chlorinated dibenzo dioxin and dibenzofurans in human adipose tissues from exposed and control New York State patients. Chemosphere. 14_: 6/7 pp. 933-937, Pergammon Press Ltd., Oxford, 1985. 11. Guzelian, P.S., G. Vranian, J.J. Boylan, W.J/ Cohn, and R.V. Blanke. 1980. Liver structure and function in patients poisoned with chlordecone (Kepone). Gastroenteroloqy 8:206. 12. Nishlzumi, M. 1970. Light and electron microscope study of chlorobipheny poisoning. Arch. Environ. Health 21: 620. 13. Nagayama, J., Kiyohara, C., Masuda, Y., and Kuratsune, M.: Inducing potency of arylhydrocarbon hydroxylase activity 1n human lymphoblastoid cells and mica by polychlorinated diben-zofuran congeners. Environ. Health Perspec. 59: 107-112, 1985. BINGHAMTON STATE OFFICE BUILDING 1984 CALCULATIONS OF AVERAGE "2,3,7,3-TCDD EQUIVALENTS" DUE TO VARIOUS DIBENZOFURANS, DI8ENZODIOXINS AND BIPHENYLENES FOR 6TH AND UTH FLOOR AIR SAMPLES (MODIFIED FROM NEW YORK RECORDS) NEW Y O R K C A L I F O R N I A CALCULATION CALCULATION BEST ESTIMATE RELATIVE ACTIVITY RELATIVE ACTIVITY OF AVERAGE X OF COMPOUND CLASS X DUE TO CHLORINE « CONCENTRATION VS. DIBENZODIOXINS SUBSTITUTION 2.3,7-8 TCOF 8 pg/M-i "2,3,7,8-TCOO EQUIVALENTS" 1/3 X 1 » 2.7 pg/M3 8 pg/M3 1/3 X 1 » 4. 7. pg/M3 14 pg/M3 1/3 X 1/30 * 0.1 pg/M3 13 pg/M3 TOTAL X 7.5 pg/M3 40 PENTA CDFs: 12378 +12348 +23478 HEXA CDFS; 9 pg/M-3 X TABLE I I COMPARISON OF 8ATTELLE VS. NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (NYSDOH) 2,3,7,8TCOF TOTAL TCDF TOTAL PENTA CDF TOTAL HEXA CDF 5,900 45,000 99,000 41,000 BSOB WIPE, STAIR TREAD PCDD W-14 (BATTELLE) FLOOR 16-17 29,500 145,000 117,000 60,700 BSOB WIPE, VINYL WALL W-7 (NYSOOH 43969) 1,100 13,000 3,500 2,000 BSOB WIPE VINYL WALL PCDO W-6 (BATTELLE) 1,320 4,980 820 120 Sample BSOB WIPE, STAIR TREAD PCDD W-13 (NYSDOH 43968) FLOOR 16-17 �TABLE III BINGHAMTON STATE OFFICE BUILDING TEST PLAN: MEASUREMENTS OF RESIDUAL CONTAMINANTS REPORT SEPTEMBER 5, 1984 POLYCHLORINATED OIBENZOFURAN ANALYSIS LABORATORY COMPARISON (SINGLE EXTRACT) CHLORINE NUMBER (ISOMER) 2,3,7,3-TCDF TETRA PENTA HEXA HEPTA OCTA STALLING 1981 (lag/g) RAPPE 1981 (ug/g) FACTOR 12 28 670 965 460 40 3.2 5.1 6.3 1.9 4.5 1.3 3.7 5.4 107 512 102 30 TABLE IV BINGHAMTON STATE OFFICE BUILDING JANUARY 25, 1985 NEW YORK STATE REPORT RESULTS OF PCB-12S4 SURFACE WIPES COLLECTED IN THE 8S08, SEPTEMBER 1984 TYPE OF SURFACE FLOORS (MASTIC) STAIRWELL TREADS PAINTED LIGHT FIXTURES (UPPER) FLOOR 3 6 13 17 5 10 15 18 7-8 17-13 LOBBY CORE LOBBY CORE LOBBY CORE LOBBY CORE WEST/OUTER WEST/OUTER WEST/OUTER WEST/OUTER EAST EAST 4 3 10 16 3 WEST/OUTER WEST/OUTER WEST/OUTER WEST/OUTER NEAR CORE NEAR CORE NEAR CORE NEAR CORE 6 CONCRETE-MEN'S RESTROOM CHASE LOCATION 12 17 2 13 CONCENTRATION (U9/M2) AVERAGE (H9/M2) S.d. 55.00 65.2 19.25 11.2 66.5 76.6 31.75 45.5 19.75 6.3 lo 45 15 150 10 1 1 34 22 13 120 100 10 3 9 26 21 10 22 7 42 24.5 24.7 �TABLE V BINGHAMTON STATE OFFICE BUILDING JANUARY 25, 1985 NEW YORK STATE REPORT (1984) DATA) QUANTITY OF PCDF. PG/M^ (LIMIT OF DETECTION) SAMPLE 2,3,7,8-Tetra Tetra Penta Hexa Hepta Octa (37) 90 (10) 1970 310 320 (80) 18 170 620 (13) 120 (503) (554) (119) (226) (205) (58) (1340) 361 (650) (1185) (463) (285) (211)1 (3244) (347) (274) 60300 55800 461091 (5015) (979) (495) 26800 37200 PCOD PCDD PCOD PCDD PCDO PCDO Wl -W2 W3 W4 W5 M6 520 250 1720 2940 1450 1320 1200 345 2980 6160 3690 4980 PCDO PCDO PCDD PCOO PCDO PCDD W8 W9 W10 Mil W12 W14 16200 7390 (20) 87 16500 29500 55500 36400 (20) 153 125000 145000 10400 240 56 48 136000 117000 1040 5580 20 (8) 128000 60700 PCDD PCDD PCDD PCDO PCDD PCDD W15 W16 W17 W18 W19 W20 3590 61000 287 88 4400 27300 51100 331000 639 213 14800 75900 46000 341000 240 130 9130 40500 26000 222000 40 (6) 870 9890 22600 136000 (268) (233) 3200 28300 14200 100000 (601) (777) 2360 7480 (7) (9) (103) (5) (4) (31) (75) (74) (24) • (11) (114) (375) (280) (87) (29) PCDD W21ns2 PCOD W21fb Lab Blank Lab Blank Lab Blank 1 2 3760 (24) (26) (4) (2) 3760 (24) (26) (4) (2) (4) (10) (23) (4) (7) Calculated using TCDD-^Ci? due to Interferences at M/Z 472 Spiked with 5 NG of 2,3,7,8-TCOF � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 090 Folder The folder containing the original item. 2285 Series The series number of the original item. Series IV Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Title A name given to the resource Typescript: The Binghamton State Office Building PCB, Dioxin and Dibenzofuran Electrical Transformer Incident: 1981-1986, [nd] Subject The topic of the resource BSOB health monitoring ambient air sampling laboratory protocol Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 089 Folder The folder containing the original item. 2242 Series The series number of the original item. Series IV Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Title A name given to the resource Letter to Letter to the Editor, Science, American Association of the Advancement of Science from Arnold Schecter, September 16, 1983 Subject The topic of the resource BSOB dioxin adipose tissue testing Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 087 Folder The folder containing the original item. 2176 Series The series number of the original item. Series IV Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Title A name given to the resource Letter: from Arnold Schecter to Alvin L. Young, April 14, 1981 Subject The topic of the resource BSOB building remediation risk assessment PCBs Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 087 Folder The folder containing the original item. 2175 Series The series number of the original item. Series IV Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold Title A name given to the resource Letter: from Arnold Schecter to Alvin L. Young, April 10, 1981 Subject The topic of the resource BSOB building remediation risk assessment PCBs Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange Description An account of the resource The Alvin L. Young Collection on Agent Orange comprises 120 linear feet and spans the late 1800s to 2005; however, the bulk of the coverage is from the 1960s to the 1980s and there are many undated items. The collection was donated to Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library in 1985 by Dr. Alvin L. Young (1942- ). Dr. Young developed the collection as he conducted extensive research on the military defoliant Agent Orange. The collection is in good condition and includes letters, memoranda, books, reports, press releases, journal and newspaper clippings, field logs and notebooks, newsletters, maps, booklets and pamphlets, photographs, memorabilia, and audiotapes of an interview with Dr. Young. For more about this collection, <a href="/exhibits/speccoll/exhibits/show/alvin-l--young-collection-on-a">view the Agent Orange Exhibit.</a> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Box The box containing the original item. 054 Folder The folder containing the original item. 1422 Series The series number of the original item. Series III Subseries II Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Schecter, Arnold N. C. A. Weerasinghe Michael Gorss Thomas Gasiewicz John D. Constable John Jacob Ryan Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 15 1986 Title A name given to the resource Typescript: Human Tissue Levels of Dioxin and Furan Isomers in Potentially Exposed and Control Patients Up to 15 Years After Cessation of 2,3,7,8-TCDD Environmental Contamination Subject The topic of the resource breast milk testing industrial exposure adipose tissue testing ao_seriesIII