PCB levels have been declining. The seeps from Hudson Falls are the principal source of PCBs to the river. Once we stop the seeps, PCB levels in the river will virtually disappear. PCBs in sediment do not contribute to water column PCB burdens. PCBs from sediment are increasing the PCB burden of water traveling through the Thompson Island Pool three-fold.
Sediment is the driving force.
PCBs are not harmful. GE's own data recently established the carcinogenicity of all congeners of PCBs, whether heavily or lightly chlorinated. EPA does believe that dredging is possible and can be implemented. There are remedial technologies that are available at this time. For a couple of weeks GE representatives were stumbling over their words, but now seem to have found their rhetoric again.