MP5 Agrochemicals and Pesticides
Monday, 14 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM in Exhibit Hall

(LUE-1117-831003) Kepone in James River Fish: 1976-2002.

Luellen, D¹, Vadas, G¹, Unger, M¹, ¹ Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, VA, USA

ABSTRACT- In late 1975, it was discovered that a manufacturing facility had not only exposed workers to the chlorinated pesticide, Kepone, but had also severely contaminated the James River estuary. Kepone is an extremely persistent organic pollutant that does not break down readily under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. To assess the potential for the public to be exposed to Kepone through the consumption of contaminated seafood, the Commonwealth of Virginia initiated a finfish-monitoring program in late 1975. Over 13,000 samples have been collected and analyzed as part of this on going effort. The average Kepone concentration found in most species began falling when the production of Kepone ended, but the average concentrations remained over the action limit of 0.3 mg g-1 until the early 1980s. By 1988 few fish contained concentrations greater than the action limit. Kepone concentrations in fish were dependant on location, trophic level, and life history. The average concentration in fish has remained unchanged for the last 10-15 years, and it is still detected in 94% of white perch and striped bass samples taken from the James River. It appears that Kepone levels have reached a steady-state in the James River.

Key words: kepone, pesticide, biota