Injury Determination Studies

Trustee-sponsored studies have been completed or are planned to investigate the following injuries:

• Fish injuries.
• Bird injuries.
• Mammal injuries.
• Reptile injuries.
• Water quality and sediment injuries.
• Geologic resource injuries.
• Air resource injuries.

Fish consumption advisory. The study was conducted under the auspices of natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) regulations that define the existence of fish consumption advisories as an injury to the resource. (The Hudson River has had advisories in place since 1976.)

See the completed evaluation of history, dates, and geographic ranges of the advisories, including relevant species, at www.dec.ny.gov/fishinjury.pdf.

Fish Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tolerance. This study will compare available fish tissue data with FDA tolerance criteria to determine the extent of injury. FDA requires that fish containing PCB concentrations in excess of 2 parts per million (ppm) be removed from commerce.

Fish health survey. This multiphase study will determine whether PCBs have affected the health and viability of fish in the Hudson River.

• Fish health reconnaissance survey. In 2001, the trustees began assessing the prevalence of abnormalities in fish tissue and gross abnormalities in internal organs and external features of fish sampled from the river. The tissue collected may be subject to future chemical analysis if survey results suggest that fish are exhibiting these types of injuries. Sampling and Analysis Plan for Hudson River Fish Health Assessment Phase I, October 2001.

• Effects of PCBs on early life stages of fish. The trustees are considering whether to examine any adverse effects of PCBs on early life stages and fish development.

Back to Top

Waterfowl FDA tolerance. This study will compare available waterfowl tissue data with FDA tolerance criteria to determine the extent of injury. The FDA requires that poultry containing PCB concentrations in excess of 3 ppm be removed from commerce. Draft Study Plan for Waterfowl Injury Assessment: PCBs in Hudson River Resident Waterfowl, May 2007.

Breeding bird survey. This preliminary investigation of the presence and relative abundance of bird species in the Hudson River Valley was designed to help the trustees determine whether particular bird species are at risk from PCB contamination, and to evaluate the need for future studies. Modifications to Study Plan for Avian Investigations on the Hudson River, May 2006. Modifications to Study Plan for Avian Investigations on the Hudson River, May 2005. Study Plan for Year 2004 Avian Investigations for the Hudson River, June 2004.

Bird egg survey. This preliminary investigation of PCB concentrations in eggs from a number of species of Hudson River birds expanded on the limited information that was previously available, especially about birds in their early life stages. Data Report for the Collection of Eggs From Spotted Sandpipers, American Woodcock, Belted Kingfisher, American Robin, Red-Winged Blackbird, and Eastern Phoebe Associated With the Hudson River From Hudson Falls to Schodack Island, New York, final revised June 15, 2005. Data Report for the Collection of Eggs from Eastern Screech Owl Associated with the Hudson River from Hudson Falls to Schodack Island, New York, April 2005. Work Summary and Data Report for the Collection of Eggs from American Peregrine Falcon, Hudson River, New York, December 2004. Egg PCB Contamination of Various Avian Feeding Guilds from the Upper Hudson River, presentation, November 2003.

Bird egg injection study. A bird egg injection study was initiated in 2006, in which the eggs of tree swallows, American kestrels and chickens are being injected with PCBs in the lab, and assessed for toxic effects such as failure to hatch. Additional field and lab work is proposed to continue in 2007. Avian Egg Injection Study Plan, Amendment for Year 2 (2007), June 1, 2007, Study Plan for Avian Injection Study (Revised), January 2007, Study Plan for Avian Egg Injection Study, Final, May 2006.

Evaluation of avian exposure from feeding on floodplain. This study is examining data from a survey of the nesting and feeding areas of certain bird species to help determine their exposure to PCBs and ascertain whether future studies are needed.

Bald eagle monitoring. This study monitors bald eagle nests for reproductive success and may include the collection and analysis of blood samples to evaluate possible adverse effects from PCBs.

Back to Top

Mink and otter health study. This study is building on existing New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) mink and otter studies to determine PCB effects in these animals. Progress Report on Hudson River Mammals: Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Levels in Mink, Otter, and Muskrat and Trapping Results for Mink, the Upper Hudson River Drainage, 1998–2000, March 2001.

Mink feeding study. A mink feeding study was begun in 2006 to examine the possible impacts of PCBs in the Hudson region on mink abundance. The study involves feeding PCB-contaminated fish to captive mink, and evaluating adult mink and their young for effects on reproduction, growth and survival. Study Plan for Mink Injury Investigations for the Hudson River, August 2006.

Bat exposure study. This study is analyzing PCB concentrations in bats to assess the extent and severity of their exposure.

Back to Top

Snapping turtle consumption advisory. This study will determine the degree to which a New York State advisory to limit the consumption of snapping turtles is attributable to PCBs from the Hudson River.

Snapping turtle health study. Researchers collected and analyzed snapping turtle eggs to assess the potential impact of PCBs and determine whether the eggs are a pathway for PCB contamination to other reptiles, birds, and other resources. Data Report for Collection of Eggs from the Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) from the Hudson River, New York, March 2005. Data Report for the Screening of Organochlorine and Metal Contaminant Levels in Hudson River, New York Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) and Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina serpentina), Final, February 2005. PCB Contamination of Common Snapping Turtle Eggs from the Hudson River, New York, poster, November 2003.

Effects of PCBs on bullfrog tadpoles. This study assesses sedimentary PCBs and specific congeners found in tadpoles living in the Upper Hudson River. The Accumulation of Sedimentary PCBs in Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) Tadpoles From the Upper Hudson River, November 2004.

Back to Top

Navigational Injury Report. This draft report describes how PCBs released by GE have adversely affected the public's ability to use the Upper Hudson River and the Champlain Canal for navigation and documents the legal basis for the State's claim for damages. Injuries to Hudson River Surface Water Resources Resulting in the Loss of Navigational Services, July 2006.

Water quality evaluation. This study compares existing water quality data with established state and federal water quality standards to determine the extent of injury to surface water. The study also evaluates which living resources have been injured by exposure to surface water.

Sediments characteristic of solid waste study. This study is evaluating existing Hudson River sediment data to determine if PCB levels exceed the limits specified under the Solid Waste Disposal Act.

Sediments injury: pathway and biota. This study will determine whether PCB concentrations in river sediments are sufficient to injure other natural resources by documenting where and when the sediments exceed thresholds and effect levels from existing scientific studies. 

Groundwater injury study. This study compares existing information regarding the presence of PCBs in groundwater resources in and around the Hudson River with federal and state water quality standards.

Back to Top

Geologic Resource Injury Study

The study examines if the PCB levels in geologic resources—such as floodplains—exceed criteria and standards specified in the Solid Waste Disposal Act and the Toxic Substances and Control Act. Hudson River NRDA Floodplain Data Summary, 2004. PCBs in Floodplain Soils and Shrews of the Hudson River, trustee presentation, November 2001.

Back to Top

Air Resource Injury Study

This potential study would determine whether PCB levels in the air around the Hudson River exceed air quality standards under the Clean Air Act or other federal or state air standards.

Back to Top