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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Public health assessment for Onondaga Lake, Syracuse, Onondaga County, New York, Region 2. Cerclis No. NYD986913580. Final report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:104345
The Onondaga Lake site is described as Onondaga lake and any source that may be contributing to its contamination (e.g., hazardous waste sites discharging contaminants directly or indirectly via surface or groundwater into Ononaga Lake). The site is contaminated with many chemicals, including mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Based on the information reviewed, the Onondaga Lake site is a public health hazard. Fish from the site are contaminated with mercury and PCBs at levels which have a high risk of adverse health effects. The presence of fecal bacteria is an indicator of potential contamination by other microorganisms that can produce disease. Fecal bacteria contamination of the lake poses a potential health hazard to recreational users, particularly swimmers.
Research Organization:
New York State Dept. of Health, Albany, NY (United States)
OSTI ID:
104345
Report Number(s):
PB--95-249736/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English