Public Health Assessment for Saipan Capacitors (a/k/a Tanapag Village (Saipan)) Tanapag Village, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Island EPA Facility ID: MPD982524506

摘要

Releases of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a hazardous substance from damaged electrical equipment resulted in widespread environmental contamination in Tanapag village. This electrical equipment was owned by the military in the 1960s, but how exactly this equipment came to Tanapag is unclear. As a result of the PCB releases, people living in Tanapag were concerned about the health and the safety of their families. During investigations, surface soil, biota (animals and plants), surface water and sediment, and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for PCBs. PCBs were detected primarily in surface soil, and to a lesser extent in sediment and locally harvested foods. Sampling results show that soil and sediment contamination was fairly localized and limited to discrete areas in the village. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) asked by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Department of Public Health (DPH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to assist with evaluating village residents' exposure to PCB, determine the extent of public health impact and address community health concerns related to the PCB contamination.