Pollution minimization plans and PCB source trackdown in Camden City
Date
2008-08
Date Removed
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Technology
Abstract
A PCB source trackdown study was performed in Camden, New Jersey using the sewer
collection system of a municipal utility authority (MUA). Sampling and analytical techniques
were developed to identify PCB sources using innovative desktop, field and analytical methods
including high resolution gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy; the quantitation of 124 separate PCB congeners for source signatures; the use of passive in-situ continuous extraction
samplers (PISCES); and the use of electronic data interfaced with a GIS system to
geographically isolate potential sources. In addition, PCB immunoassay analyses (ELISA) of
street soils were carried out near storm drains in front of suspected facilities. These source identification methods were developed to support Pollution Minimization Plans (PMP), which
are permit requirements for discharger facilities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware as part of the Delaware Estuary PCB-TMDL. The PMP rules require dischargers to actively seek out, and reduce, PCBs on their facilities footprint which might get into the MUA collection
system. This can be problematic, however, for a county-wide MUA with hundreds of miles of pipes and numerous undefined point and non-point sources (i.e., Camden City is a combined
sewer outfall (CSO) area where storm run-off can collect PCBs and other contaminants then mix with sewerage in pipes prior to treatment).
Description
Keywords
New Jersey, Water - Pollution - New Jersey - Camden, Polychlorinated biphenyls - Environmental aspects - Delaware River (N.Y.-Del. and N.J.)