Carpenter, DO; Morris, DL; Legator, M
Residents living near the Monsanto plant in Anniston, Alabama have extraordinarily high levels of serum polychlorinated biphenyls; (PCBs). About 35% of persons surveyed had levels greater than 10 ppb, while 17% had levels greater than 20 ppb. The route of exposure is unclear, since serum PCB level does not correlate with reports of employment at the plant, consumption of local fish, chickens or pigs, nor with eating clay, which is a common practice in this community. These observations suggest the possibility that inhalation or ingestion of dust from the site may be primary routes of exposure. Previously, there has not been a systematic health survey in this population, although the diseases of concern include cancer, increased infectious diseases secondary to immunosuppression, disruption of thyroid and sex steroid endocrine systems, neurobehavioral abnormalities, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The University of Texas has done a survey of symptoms reported by this community as compared to reference communities. We found significantly elevated reports of diseases of the ear, nose and throat, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, muscle and bone, skin, immune system and teeth and gums. In addition, we found elevated adverse pregnancy outcomes (low birth weight, premature birth) to be more common in Anniston than in the control community. These observations suggest that the health of the people of Anniston has been adversely affected by migration of PCBs off the site of the Monsanto plant.
