EPA Superfund Site

HUDSON RIVER PCBS

NY | EPA ID NYD980763841

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, the Hudson River PCBs Superfund Site is considered Human Exposure Not Under Control because of the potential for ingestion of fish caught from the river by those who do not follow the fish consumption advisories and fishing restriction. Remedial activities completed to date (dredging) have substantially reduced polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) source materials in the Upper Hudson River. As expected in the Record of Decision, average PCB concentrations in fish in the Upper Hudson are declining but have not yet reached protective levels. Because the remedy includes not only the dredging component but also the subsequent period of monitored natural attenuation, the remedy is not complete until the natural attenuation component also has been completed. EPA believes it is likely that improvement will occur gradually over several decades at least. In the interim, the State of New York has in place fishing restrictions and advisories against consumption of fish to control human exposure pathways that could result in unacceptable risks. EPA acknowledges that the consumption advisories are not fully effective in that they rely on voluntary compliance in order to prevent or limit fish consumption. EPA will continue to work with New York State to ensure the ongoing maximum effectiveness of the advisories. It is estimated the site will be Human Exposure Under Control in 2044.

Dredging work was completed in 2015. EPA estimates that the dredging project removed about 72% of the mass of PCBs in the Upper Hudson River. The dredging project resulted in the removal of about 2.75 million cubic yards of PCB-contaminated sediment. Approximately 310,000 pounds of PCBs (twice the mass anticipated) were permanently removed from the river.

EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by meeting with residents and affected stakeholders, issuing public notices and updating fact sheets. EPA maintains a project website to keep the community informed of recent progress at the site. Additionally, an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator is assigned to the site and can address specific community concerns as they arise. A Community Advisory Group (CAG) comprised of members representing diverse interests along the river has been established to disseminate site information and solicit public comments on project activities.