HUDSON RIVER PCBS

As of May 2026, the Hudson River PCBs Superfund site is considered “Current Human Exposure Not Under Control” (HENC). Residents and recreational anglers are known or reasonably anticipated to be exposed by eating fish caught from the Hudson River and its tributaries, despite New York State fish consumption advisories and posted signs. Although dredging in the Upper Hudson River has substantially reduced polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) source materials and fish PCB levels are declining as expected in the Record of Decision (ROD), average fish tissue concentrations have not yet reached protective levels. Currently, the planned activities to address this pathway include continued monitored natural recovery/attenuation (long‑term monitoring of fish tissue, water, and sediment to confirm declining PCB trends); targeted source‑control actions as needed based on monitoring results; and maintenance of institutional controls, including New York State fish consumption advisories and outreach. EPA will continue coordinating with New York State to post and maintain advisory signage at access points and to conduct focused risk‑communication efforts for subsistence and high‑frequency fishers. In addition, EPA and partners have completed major source‑control work. Dredging, completed in 2015, removed about 2.75 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment and approximately 310,000 pounds of PCBs (about twice the mass anticipated), which EPA estimates eliminated roughly 72 percent of PCB mass in the Upper Hudson River. If you may be affected, you can reduce your exposure by not eating fish from the Hudson River where advisories apply, practicing catch‑and‑release, following posted signs and New York State advisories, and checking the latest guidance before fishing. For assistance, contact the Community Involvement Coordinator Larisa Romanowski via the site webpage or at (518) 407-0400 or [email protected]. For the Upper Hudson River, EPA currently anticipates that human exposure will be under control by September 2086 because fish PCB concentrations are expected to continue declining through monitored natural recovery, and advisories and institutional controls will remain in place until protective levels are reached. As fish concentrations continue to decline the fishing restriction will be removed and fish consumption advisories will be reduced to allow more fish consumption over time. Investigations of the Lower Hudson River water, fish, and sediment continue. This section of the river is being divided into three units. EPA plans to begin discussions with the primary responsible party for an RI/FS of the upper section (approximate 40 of the 160 miles) in the Summer of 2026.