The development and implementation of this project was supported by personal and other resources. The Passive Sampling Devices (PSDs) were constructed, deployed and recovered in early 2016, and now await extraction and chemical analysis for the target analytes. The purpose of this stage of the project is to support the costs for packaging, shipping, extraction and chemical analysis of the PSDs for the target analytes, including Brominated Flame Retardants, Organochlorine Pesticides and PCBs that are expected to be in the test waters. These toxic chemicals are likely to have been introduced into the subject waters in fertilizers, pesticides, CAFO manures and Toxic Sewage Sludges, all of which are used in the Lower Yakima Valley on agricultural crops, including on food animal feed crops. This proposed funding for the project will support the analytical chemistry work that is core to this investigation.

Additional Information

This Passive Sampling Device (PSD) method was employed by us previously in the Snoqualmie River along the western slope of the Cascade Mountains (Eastern King County, WA). Targeted toxic chemicals were detected in the waters of the Snoqualmie River and subjected to analytical chemistry evaluation, with success. Snoqualmie Forests and Lower Yakima Valley (LYV) agricultural lands are subjected to disposal of the same Toxic Sewage Sludges from King County’s wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Toxic Sewage Sludges from local Yakima Valley WWTPs, plus agricultural fertilizers, pesticides and CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) wastes, also impact these same waters. Agricultural workers and their families are exposed to toxic chemicals in sludges and agricultural chemicals through their work and lifestyle. This PSD sampling and analytical chemistry investigation seeks to determine if certain toxic chemicals commonly encountered in Toxic Sewage Sludges and in agricultural products and wastes are released and available in the working and living environments of disadvantaged and vulnerable farm workers of the LYV, resulting thereby in their chronic exposure to the targeted toxic chemicals.

Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Populations include people challenged by physical or mental disability, but often they are without economic support, citizenship status, education, employment skills, political power or other means of influence. Included are economically-disadvantaged racial and ethnic minorities, plus people who are uninsured, low-income children, elderly, homeless, and those with chronic health conditions, often from exposure to environmental contaminants and pollutants.

Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) are organobromine compounds that have an inhibitory effect on combustion chemistry and tend to reduce the flammability of products containing them. Of all the commercial chemical flame retardants, the brominated varieties are used widely. They are used in plastic products and textile applications, such as electronics, clothes and furniture. Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether flame retardants (PBDEs) are produced synthetically, with widely varying chemical properties. About 400,000 tons of BFRs were sold in 2011. The electronics industry accounts for the greatest consumption of BFRs. BFRs are used in many products, including plastics in television sets, carpets, pillows, paints, upholstery, and domestic kitchen appliances.

Organochlorine Pesticides are chlorinated hydrocarbons that were used extensively in agriculture from the 1940s - 60s. Representatives include DDT, methoxychlor, dieldrin, chlordane, toxaphene, mirex, kepone, lindane, and benzene hexachloride. As neurotoxicants, many organochlorine pesticides were banned in the US, although a few are still registered for use. People can be exposed to organochlorine pesticides through accidental inhalation exposure if you are in an area where they were recently applied. The chemicals can also be ingested in fish, dairy products, and other fatty foods that are contaminated. Organochlorine pesticides accumulate in the environment. They are very persistent and move long distances in surface runoff or groundwater. Exposure to organochlorine pesticides over a short period may produce convulsions, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tremors, confusion, muscle weakness, slurred speech, salivation and sweating. Long-term exposure to organochlorine pesticides may damage the liver, kidneys, central nervous system, thyroid and bladder. Many of these pesticides have been linked to elevated rates of liver or kidney cancer in animals. There is some evidence indicating that organochlorine pesticides may also cause cancer in humans. Aldrin, DDT, dieldrin and endrin, have been widely used and therefore are found widely distributed in the environment. Concentrations of aldrin, DDT (and its metabolites: pp-TDE and pp-DDE), dieldrin, endrin and isodrin have been measured in water, sediments and biota.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are organic chlorine compounds. PCBs were once widely deployed as dielectric and coolant fluids in electrical apparatus, carbonless copy paper and in heat transfer fluids. PCBs do not readily break down once in the environment. They can remain for long periods cycling between air, water and soil. PCBs can be carried long distances and have been found in snow and sea water in areas far from where they were released into the environment. As a consequence, they are found all over the world. In general, the lighter the form of PCB, the further it can be transported from the source of contamination. PCBs can accumulate in the leaves and above-ground parts of plants and food crops. They are also taken up into the bodies of small organisms and fish. As a result, people who ingest fish may be exposed to PCBs that have bioaccumulated in the fish they are ingesting.