Project Timeframe: 2004 to 2009

The Palos Verdes Shelf, located off the coast of Los Angeles, is among the largest contaminated sediment sites in the United States. The contamination is a result of decades of DDT and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) discharge into the Los Angeles County sewer system. In collaboration with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, IAI staff designed and implemented an educational outreach program to address the disproportionate exposures to harmful chemicals faced by anglers and their families who catch and consume fish from the Los Angeles and Orange County. IAI conducted community needs assessments with diverse agencies representing fishing populations, facilitated strategic planning with stakeholders, developed educational materials, and provided in-depth program evaluation for US EPA.