18/09/2025
Toxic PCBs Found in Water at Piketon Nuclear Site — Official Violation Issued
On July 8, 2025, a water sample collected from Final Outfall 011 at the Piketon nuclear site tested positive for PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) at 0.270 µg/L. That’s more than double Ohio EPA’s regulatory limit of 0.1 µg/L — which means this is an official violation of state environmental law.
👉 What are PCBs?
• They’re man-made industrial chemicals once used in coolants, paints, and electrical equipment.
• PCBs don’t break down easily — they linger in soil, water, and the food chain for decades.
• They can bioaccumulate in fish and wildlife, eventually ending up in people who eat contaminated food.
• Long-term exposure is linked to cancer, immune system suppression, reproductive problems, and developmental issues in children.
👉 Why this matters:
This site already has a long history of contamination. Every single violation adds more risk to the community’s health and environment. Once PCBs are in the waterways, they don’t just disappear. They can spread downstream, get into fish, and end up on someone’s dinner plate years later.
The Ohio EPA has ordered Fluor-BWXT, the contractor at the Piketon site, to submit a plan to prevent more PCB discharges — and they’ve got 30 days to explain how they’ll fix it.
