Should I be concerned about ethylene dibromide (EDB) in the Coonamessett and Quashnet rivers?
EDB was discovered to be present in surface water of the Coonamessett River in 1996 and in the Quashnet River in 1997. A number of cleanup actions have been taken since then, and routine monitoring of these rivers and their associated bogs is ongoing. While some long-term residents may have been at risk for exposure in the past, current sampling data do not suggest exposures that would present health concerns. Since May 2000, no EDB has been detected in either the Coonamessett or Quashnet rivers, and EDB was not detected in any surface water samples taken in 2003 and from the Coonamessett River bogs. However, EDB continued to be detected primarily in two adjacent bogs (K2 and K6 bogs) associated with the Quashnet River. Infrequent contact with these EDB levels in these bogs is not likely to present a health hazard. Q: Should I be concerned about trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in the Backus River? A: In August 2003, levels of TCE and PCE originating from the Ashum
