The chemical was widely used for its insulating abilities in electrical equipment. And almost since the United States banned production of PCBs in 1977 because of possible negative health effects, communities have struggled over just what to do about PCBs. Test results from blood, soil and air samples collected in Anniston in February, March and April are expected to be released in July. That isn t much of a wait for complicated laboratory analysis, unless you consider that many of these same folks first had blood samples taken from their bodies and soil from their property five years ago. And state government documents reveal that five years ago the state Public Health Department asked the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to do more testing.
Biological samples reveal a significant number of residents have high blood PCB levels.
Williamson requested that ADEM do soil sampling in a half-mile perimeter around what was called Monsanto and now is Solutia. He asked for soil sampling to be done in other parts of Anniston as well. William Gerald Hardy, chief of ADEM Land Division, said the 1995 request for additional soil samples was made because areas beyond those that were sampled showed soil disturbances in aerial photos. Along at the same time, they were questioning looking at aerial photos, taking one opinion that every time there was disturbed soil, Solutia must have put PCBs there. Whatever the reasoning behind Williamson s request, Warr wrote Williamson back and declined the request.