The New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), and later the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), performed extensive toxicologic measurements on environmental specimens (air, water, soil) collected from the Canal itself and in surrounding neighborhoods. A partial listing of over 200 chemicals identified in material from the Canal is given in the table shown below. Much of the testing in the community focused on air samples collected in basements of homes.
Partial Listing of Specific Chemicals Identified in Toxicologic
Testing of (Adapted from Kim et al, 1980) |
|
| Benzene | Hexachlorobutadiene |
| Benzene hexachloride (4 isomers) | Methylene chloride |
| Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Pentachlorobenzene |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) |
| Chlorobenzene | Tetrachlorobenzene |
| Chloroform | Tetrachloroethylene |
| Chlorotoluene | Tetrachlorotoluene |
| Dichlorobenzene | Toluene |
| Dichloroethene | Trichlorobenzene |
| Dichloroethylene | Trichloroethylene |
| Dichlorotoluene | Trichlorophenol |
| Dioxin (TCDD) | Trichlorotoluene |
Seven particular chemicals were considered as potential markers for Canal contamination: chloroform, benzene, trichloroethylene, toluene, tetrachloroethylene, chlorobenzene, and chlorotoluene. Only the last two chemicals were ultimately regarded as reliable indicators, the others often being present in various common household products (solvents, paints, pesticides, cleaners, etc.).
Toxicologic studies in laboratory animals indicate that organic chemicals of this sort, especially halogenated hydrocarbons, can have oncogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic potential. Clear evidence of chlorobenzene and/or chlorotoluene contamination was found at various sites in the first ring of homes adjoining the Canal, especially along its southern portion, but not more than trace amounts elsewhere.
Measurements in "wet" (swale) locations appeared no different than at other sites outside the first two rings of homes (both sides of 97th and 99th Streets). Although measurements of chemical levels in blood can detect acute exposures to high doses of such chemicals, they cannot detect chronic low-dose or past high-dose exposures since the chemicals are rapidly metabolized and excreted.
The chemical 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) was found in low ppb levels in storm sewers and creeks draining Love Canal but not in residential soils.