The following are two landmark reports commissioned by CBEP to present
information on the levels and impacts of toxic pollution in the
watershed:
- Toxic
Pollution in Casco Bay: Sources and Impacts, CBEP 2007 (PDF)
- The
Dirty History of Portland Harbor, Ed Hawes,
Fact Sheet, 2005 reprint (PDF) | Full 250-Page Report,
1993 (PDF)
CBEP's
toxics work includes efforts to monitor and assess the sources, risks,
and impacts of toxic pollution in the watershed. Below is
information about some of these efforts:
- Testing osprey eggs:
CBEP funded a study to measure levels of toxic compounds in the eggs of
ospreys. The majority of eggs sampled contained toxic residues —
including compounds found in substances like organochloride pesticides,
stain repellants, and flame retardants. More info.
- Monitoring blue mussels:
CBEP supports the Marine Environmental Monitoring Program, a long‐term
study to assess the levels and locations of toxic contaminants along
the coast, using the common blue mussel as an indicator species.
Sampling at several Casco Bay sites suggests that while there was an
initial increase in lead levels from 1988 to 2002, there has been a
decline in lead levels in more recent samples. More info.
- Studying air deposition of toxics:
Studies supported by CBEP seek to determine the extent to which toxics
are being contributed to the Bay via atmospheric deposition: More info.
- Assessing levels and impacts of toxics in Casco Bay sediments:
Casco Bay's soils contain a legacy of environmental toxics. CBEP
attempts to assess concentrations of these toxics, their potential
impacts on marine life, and any changes in levels of sediment toxics
over time: More info.
- Providing guidance on safe disposal of dredged sediments: CBEP funded the production of a guide for property owners on the disposal of dredged material: Guidance
for Private Property Owners: Steps and Alternatives for Disposal of
Material Dredged from Rivers and Harbors of Casco Bay, Normandeau Associates, 2008 (PDF)
- Gauging health impacts of dioxins and furans: CBEP helped fund a study to asses the health impacts of two common toxics in fish from Maine rivers: Evaluation
of the Health Implications of Levels of Polychlorinated
Dibenzo-p-Dioxins (dioxins) and Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (furans)
in Fish from Maine Rivers: 2008 Update, Maine Center for Disease Control, 2008 (PDF)
- Watching contaminants of emerging concern: Over
the past several years, CBEP has added a new class of contaminants to
monitor: “contaminants of emerging concern.” The list includes
persistent organic chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers
(PDBEs) and perflourinated chemicals (PFCs), as well as pharmaceuticals
and personal care products (PPCPs) like drugs, soaps, hairspray, and
sunscreen. Monitoring studies are finding contaminants of emerging
concern throughout the aquatic environment worldwide, including in
Casco Bay.
Visit CBEP Publications
to see a complete list of CBEP reports and archives