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QUESTION: 



Regarding the Port Elizabeth/Port Newark permit, what standards were used 

 to measure dioxin contamination? How were these standards decided upon? 



ANSWER: 



EPA chose 10 parts per trillion (pptr) of dioxin in the tissue of marine worms 

 as the standard for allowing the dredged material to be ocean dumped. This 

 is a level established by the New York State Department of Health. 



EPA Region II considered risk pathways and possible risk levels associated 

 with the disposal activities and the ocean environment at the disposal site. 

 EPA's interim dioxin ecologic risk assessment report was also considered. 

 For the pathways of risk associated with the disposal activity, 10 pptr 

 bioaccumulation in organism tissue appears to provide an adequate level of 

 safety. 



