NIEHS SUPERFUND
In 1990, under the direction of Dr. David Carpenter, Dean of the School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) research program was launched to determine the health and environmental impacts resulting from high PCB concentrations. At the time the NIEHS research project began, the breastmilk of Akwesasne Mohawk women was found to contain elevated concentrations of PCBs. These levels were linked directly to consumption of local fish
and wildlife. By 1994, breastmilk concentrations of PCBs declined to control group levels mainly because Mohawk women reduced or eliminated locally caught fish and wildlife from their diets.
In addition to the human health study involving Mohawk mothers and infants, the NIEHS Basic Research study involves many additional components. Animal and human studies are focused on the effects of PCBs on the central
nervous system and hormones. Studies are underway on the effects of PCBs on the health and well being of local wildlife populations. Other projects focus on how contaminants move in the environment, how they become accessible to wildlife and humans and on the development of remedial technologies to destroy or reduce the toxicity of contaminants.
Please forward comments and questions to: Dr. David O. Carpenter, University at Albany State of New York, Office of Dean School of Public Health, OneUniversity Place Rensselaer, NY 12144-3456
Carpent@wadsworth.org TEL:(518) 485-5560 FAX: (518) 485-5565
