The Geobacter that was discovered in the Potomac River:
(Seems they have been using Geobacter for some time to negate the effects or neutralize the Radioactive particles in the rivers)
Myke's Weblog: Science
According to Space.com, what Rittmann proposes to do is to harness bacteria -- specifically, a member of the Geobacteraceae family that feeds on, and can decompose, organic material. Geobacter microbes were first discovered in the muck of the Potomac River in 1987; they like to live in places where there's no oxygen and plenty of iron. They also have the unexpected ability to move electrons into metal. That means that under the right conditions, Geobacter microbes can both process waste and generate electricity.
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Let's say, for sake of argument, that there are PCB's in the Hudson and the Potomac rivers along with the Radioactive Isotopes and the Geobacter....
The PCB's (plastic-like) may flake- or become fiber-like when exposed to Radioactive substances? Or maybe it's the metal eating/electric inducing Geobacter that causes the PCB to become airborn?
Skin Absorption and Damage from PCBs Skin Absorption and Damage from PCBs
Back to Skin Absorption and Damage from PCBs Table of Contents
Other PCB Contamination Sites with Skin Contact Health Risks
The following 31 studies involve PCB contamination sites around the U.S. where skin contact is considered a potential human health risk.
Hudson River, New York
Anonymous. Health Assessment for Hudson River PCB (Polychlorinated Biphenyl) NPL (National Priorities List) Site, State of New York, Region 2. CERCLIS No. NYD980763841. Govt Reports Announcements & Index (GRA&I), Issue 06, 1990. Final report. Author Address: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA.
* dermal contact with PCB-contaminated sediment is a potential concern to human health.
Hudson River PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) is a National Priorities List site located in the State of New York. Because of the past disposal of PCBs in the Hudson River, surface water, sediment, and fish from the Upper and Lower Hudson River are contaminated with elevated concentrations of PCBs. The site is of potential public health concern because of the risk to human health resulting from possible exposure to hazardous substances at concentrations that may result in adverse health effects. Human exposure to PCB-contaminated fish or other consumable aquatic organisms from the Hudson River may occur and/or may be occurring via oral exposure (ingestion). Possible inhalation of volatilized PCBs, airborne PCB-contaminated dusts, as well as dermal contact with PCB-contaminated sediment are also of potential concern to human health.
New Bedford, Massachusetts
Anonymous. Public Health Assessment for New Bedford Site, New Bedford, Bristol County, Massachusetts, Region 1. CERCLIS No. MAD980731335. Govt Reports Announcements & Index (GRA&I), Issue 15, 1995 Author Address: Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health, Boston. Div. of Environmental Health Assessment. Final rept. Sponsored by Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA.
* human health is at risk due to ongoing exposure to PCBs via dermal contact with PCB-contaminated sediments
Harris County, Texas
Anonymous. Health Assessment for Industrial Transformer NPL (National Priorities List) Site, Houston, Harris County, Texas, Region 6. Govt Reports Announcements & Index (GRA&I), Issue 02, 1990 Author Address: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA.
* potential adverse health effects may result from exposure via dermal contact to PCB-contaminated surface soil
The Industrial Transformer site is a National Priorities List site located in Houston, Texas. On-site soils are contaminated primarily with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trichloroethylene (TCE). Also on-site ground water is contaminated with TCE. There are approximately 2000 residents within an approximate one-mile radius of the site. Potential adverse health effects may result from exposure via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact to PCB-contaminated surface soil by on-site receptors (e.g., remedial workers, children). The primary public health concern for off-site receptors is potential exposure to TCE-contaminated ground water via ingestion and dermal contact. Inhalation of TCE vapors by workers exposed to TCE-contaminated ground water from industrial wells is an additional exposure route of concern. No follow-up health study is indicated at this time. Final rept.
Detroit, Michigan
Anonymous. Superfund Record of Decision Amendment (EPA Region 5): Carter Industrials Site, Detroit, MI., February 28, 1995. Govt Reports Announcements & Index (GRA&I), Issue 09, 1996. Author Address: Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response.
* dermal contact with contaminated materials is considered a "principal threat"
This decision document changes a decision made on September 18, 1991 in which the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) chose low-temperature thermal desorption as the remedy for PCB contamination at the Carter Industrials Site in Detroit, Michigan. U.S. EPA is hereby amending the 1991 Record of Decision (PB92-964126) to select off-site disposal as the remedy. This response action addresses remediation of PCB-contaminated soil, debris, and buildings at the Carter Industrials Site. The principal threats posed by conditions at the Site include inhalation of volatilized PCBs and fugitive dust, and dermal contact with contaminated materials. The amended remedy will eliminate these threats. See also PB92-964126.
Read more at the above link- 31 reports - numerous states: