ATSDR - PHA - Pollution Abatement Services, Oswego, Oswego County, New York

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ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

POLLUTION ABATEMENT SERVICES (PAS)
CITY OF OSWEGO, OSWEGO COUNTY, NEW YORK

CONCLUSIONS

Based on ATSDR's guidance for assigning a health hazard category to a site (refer to Appendix E), the site currently poses no apparent public health hazard. Past remedial actions, including the installations of a slurry wall, an impermeable cap and fencing, have eliminated the potential for current and future exposures to site contaminants in on-site soils, soil-gas and air. As indicated in the December 1993 ROD, those homes in the Smith's Beach area that still used private wells for drinking were connected to the public water supply in July 1995. Although VOCs have been detected in groundwater in the bedrock aquifer off-site, groundwater monitoring data collected in May 1996 show a decrease in contaminant levels within the bedrock aquifer since the SRI was completed. There are no known potable supply wells downgradient of the existing groundwater contaminant plume and the area is served by public water. Additionally, the ROD recommends institutional controls on groundwater use at the PAS site and in the Smith's Beach area through deed restrictions.
The PAS site posed a public health hazard in the past (refer to Appendix E). Prior to August 1977, numerous physical and chemical hazards existed at the site. On-site workers, residents and people working near the site were probably exposed to contaminants in air, although there is insufficient information to characterize these past exposures. Workers at the site were likely exposed to on-site wastes, leachate and contaminants in surface soil at levels of public health concern. Past remedial actions have eliminated the potential for exposure to contaminants on-site.
The 1986 cancer incidence investigation by the NYS DOH was completed to address community concerns. Findings of this study did not detect a statistically significant excess in cancer incidence among workers at the Eastside Sewage Treatment Plant near the PAS site. Currently, contaminants at the site are not discharged to the Eastside Sewage Treatment Plant. Past remedial measures at the PAS site have minimized the potential for exposure to site contaminants in off-site areas.
Past community health concerns have been addressed by past actions at the site and at past public meetings. There are no known new community health concerns about the site.
There is insufficient information to evaluate possible exposures that may have occurred in the past to contaminants in soil gas at and near the site.
Although people who worked at the site between 1970 and 1977 are believed to have been exposed to contaminants in on-site wastes, leachate and surface soil, there is insufficient information to fully characterize these past exposures. Similarly, it is likely that people working at and living near the site were exposed to VOCs in ambient air through inhalation, but these past exposures cannot be fully characterized because the levels of contamination in air are not known, nor is there available information about the length of exposure or the receptor populations.
Whole Creek Chub were sampled during the environmental assessment and contain some chemicals (Table 25, Appendix B). However, these data can not be used to evaluate possible exposure to fish that is filleted and eaten. It is not known if people eat fish from White and Wine Creeks or wetland areas near the site. However, the potential for exposure to site contaminants through ingestion of fish from areas near the site is limited, given that the creeks are small and intermittent.
Several components of the December 1993 ROD have been addressed. Phase 1 of the supplemental pre-remedial design study was completed to (1) further investigate the bedrock aquifer; (2) evaluate possible methods for development of hydraulic controls outside the containment system; and (3) perform a flood plain delineation. Based on the results of the Phase 1 investigation, additional remediation of the bedrock aquifer downgradient of the PAS site will not be completed. Additionally, public water was extended to four homes in the Smith's Beach area in July 1995.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The NYS DOH concurs with the proposed remedial measures for the site, as prescribed in the December 1993 ROD. Progress on those remedial measures which have not been completed should continue. The remedial actions which still need to be completed include: (1) continued extraction and treatment of contaminated ground-water in the bedrock aquifer; (2) enhancing the present source control system; and (3) recommending, as necessary, institutional controls on groundwater use at the PAS site and in the Smith's Beach area through deed restrictions.

HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION PANEL (HARP) RECOMMENDATIONS

The data and information developed in the Public Health Assessment for the Pollution Abatement Services, Oswego, New York, have been reviewed by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel to determine appropriate follow-up actions. The panel determined that community health education is indicated; however, the state has performed and is continuing to perform site-specific environmental health education, as needed, in relation to exposures from the site. The panel also expressed the need to assure that no private wells are currently being used as a water source. No other follow-up health actions are indicated at this time.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN

The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the PAS site contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the NYS DOH following completion of this public health assessment. For those actions already taken at the site, please refer to the Background section of this public health assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from past, present and/or future exposures to hazardous substances at or near the site. Included is a commitment on the part of ATSDR and/or the NYS DOH to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by ATSDR and/or the NYS DOH are as follows:

The NYS DOH will continue to conduct community health education, as needed.
ATSDR will provide follow up to this PHAP, as needed, outlining the actions completed and those in progress. Any follow-up reports will be placed in repositories that contain copies of this public health assessment, and will be provided to persons who request it.
ATSDR and the NYS DOH will coordinate with the appropriate environmental agencies to develop plans to implement the recommendations contained in this public health assessment.

ATSDR will reevaluate and expand the PHAP when needed. New environmental, toxicological or health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions may determine the need for additional actions at this site.

PREPARERS OF REPORT

Claudine Jones Rafferty
Environmental Health Specialist II
Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation
New York State Department of Health

and

Joel Kaplan
Research Scientist
Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment
New York State Department of Health

ATSDR Regional Representative:

Arthur Block
Regional Services
Office of the Assistant Administrator

ATSDR Technical Project Officer:

Greg Ulirsch and David Hutchins
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment & Consultation

CERTIFICATION

The Health Consultation for the Pollution Abatement Services (PAS) site was prepared by the New York State Department of Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approved methodology and procedures existing at the time the health consultation was initiated.

David M. Hutchins
Technical Project Officer
Superfund Site Assessment Branch (SSAB)
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC)
ATSDR

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this health consultation, and concurs with its findings.

Richard Gillig
Chief, SPS, SSAB, DHAC, ATSDR

REFERENCES

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Health Assessment for the Pollution Abatement Services (PAS) National Priorities List (NPL) Site - Oswego, New York; September 6, 1988.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1989. Toxicological Profile for Carbon Tetrachloride. ATSDR/TP-89/05. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1991. Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride. ATSDR/TP-91/13. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). March 1992. Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Public Health Service: Atlanta, Georgia.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1992. Toxicological Profile for 1,1-Dichloroethene. Update Draft. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1993a. Toxicological Profile for Benzene. ATSDR/TP-92/03. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1993b. Toxicological Profile for Chromium. ATSDR/TP-92/08. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1993c. Toxicological Profile for Tetrachloroethylene. ATSDR/TP-92/18. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). 1993d. Toxicological Profile for Trichloroethylene. ATSDR/TP-92/19. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Public Health Service.

Camp, Dresser & McKee, Inc., et al. Draft Design Report for Surficial Cleanup and Disposal of Chemical Wastes at the Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; November 16, 1981.

Chemical Composition Survey: Wine Creek-White Creek (prepared for the City of Oswego, New York); October 1977. >de maximus, Inc. Monthly Progress Report: Pollution Abatement Services Site SRI/FS - Oswego, New York; September 1992.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Leachate Collection System Pumping Test Data: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; June 21, 1991.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Supplemental Remedial Investigation Data Tables and Contract Laboratory Program Data Validation SOP Format for US EPA Region II: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; February 6, 1992.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Supplemental Remedial Investigation Analytical Data Tables and Contract Laboratory Program Data Validation SOP Format for US EPA Region II: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; June 2, 1992.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Candidate Remedial Technologies Memorandum - PAS Oswego Site; July 1992.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Site Summary Report: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; August 1992.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Submittal of Responses to Comments on the Draft Site Summary Report: PAS Oswego - Supplemental Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study; November 24, 1992.

Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Response to Comments on the Draft Site Summary Report: PAS Oswego - Supplemental Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study; November 24, 1992.

Golder Associates. Supplemental Feasibility Study (through initial screening of alternatives) - Preliminary Draft Report: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; July 1993.

Golder Associates. Final Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; August 1993.

Menzie-Cura & Associates, Inc. Additional Ecological Assessment: PAS Site - Oswego, New York; August 8, 1992.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). Pollution Abatement Services, Inc. - Oswego, New York: Information Dossier 78-12; October 24, 1978.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC). Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites in New York State, April 1994.

New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH), Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation (BEEI). Project Files: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, Oswego County; 1976-1996.

Remedial Engineering, P.C. Leachate Treatability Study - Summary and Basis of Design Memorandum: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; September 27, 1995.

Roux Associates, Inc. Supplemental Pre-Remedial Design Study Work Plan and Field Operations Plan Addendum: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; April 15, 1994.

Roux Associates, Inc. Phase 1 Supplemental Pre-Remedial Design Study Report: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York. January 23, 1995.

Roux Associates, Inc. Phase 2 Supplemental Pre-Remedial Design Study Report - Surface Water/Sediment Quality Source Investigation: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York. April 25, 1996.

Sax, I.N. and R.J. Lewis. 1989. Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials. Seventh Edition. Volume II. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.

Scrudato, R.J., C.S. Ehlers, P.A. Goliber, R. Schneider, H. Anderson and T.S. Miller. Chemical Waste Leachate - Potential for Groundwater Contamination in Oswego County (undated).

TAMS Consultants, Inc. Draft Supplemental RI Workplan: Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; January 1990.

TAMS Consultants, Inc. Draft Supplemental RI Field Operation Plan for the Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; February 1990.

TAMS Consultants, Inc. Draft Health & Safety Plan for the Pollution Abatement Services Site - Oswego, New York; February 1990.

URS Company, Inc. Site Investigations and Remedial Alternative Evaluations at the PAS Site in Oswego, New York (Draft Final Report); January 1984.

URS Company, Inc. Environmental Assessment at the PAS Site in Oswego, New York (Final); January 1988.

URS Consultants, Inc. Summary Report: Spring 1996 Environmental Monitoring - PAS Site O&M (Site ID#7-38-001). Prepared for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; July 1996.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census Data by Census Block: 1990 Census CR-ROM File PL17-194; Washington, D.C., 1991.

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U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Census of Housing and Population: 1990 Census Standard Tape File 3A; Washington, D.C., 1992.

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Record of Decision: Pollution Abatement Services, Inc. Oswego, New York; December 29, 1993.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Region 2. Explanation of Significant Differences: Pollution Abatement Services Site - City of Oswego, Oswego County, New York; June 1996.

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