The Nation - News from Feb. 22, 1987

A natural gas company acknowledged that toxic PCBs were dumped in about 100 pits dug along a pipeline through at least 10 states from Texas to New Jersey. The pits of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are covered and pose no health threat, but the firm is committed to cleaning them up, said Fred Wichlep, vice president of Texas Eastern Gas Pipeline Co. Law requires that PCBs, which are considered highly carcinogenic, be disposed of at regulated landfills or incinerators. The PCBs were in liquids being drained at compressor stations, which push natural gas through the pipeline system. The chemicals were being used as a lubricant and fire retardant.