HEALTH CONSULTATION
Old Acres Homes/Ella Park Terrace
BOOKER LANDFILL
(a/k/a OLD ACRES HOMES SUBDIVISION)
HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
SUMMARY AND STATEMENT OF ISSUES
In August 2003 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 asked the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Texas Department of Health, Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division (TDH) to evaluate environmental data from samples that characterized contaminants found on the Booker/West Donovan Landfill site, and the residential yards near the site. The Booker Landfill and surrounding subdivisions are in the north-northwest part of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The EPA collected and analyzed surface soil samples in the fall of 2003. TDH assessors were then tasked to determine if exposure to contaminants in surface soil on or off the landfill would pose a public health hazard to community residents.
The residents of the Acres Homes community are concerned that the Booker site may pose a significant threat to their health. Community representatives suggest that residents are increasingly reporting cancer and other unusual diseases.
TDH has determined that exposure to chemicals in surface soil at the Booker Landfill in residential yards or the ditch between the landfill and yards poses no apparent public health hazard. Additionally, the TDH Cancer Registry Division found no significant elevations in the rate of cancer or numbers of deaths from cancer.
The Old Booker Landfill and surrounding subdivisions are in the northwest part of Houston, Harris County, Texas. The primary 25 acre site is bordered by residences on West Donovan Road on the south, and by West Tidwell Road on the north. The west side of the landfill is bounded by Rosslyn Road and the east side is bounded by Wheatley Street. The landfill was an old (operated during the late 1960s and early 1970s), non-permitted solid waste facility located in the Acres Home subdivision. The landfill property is accessible to the public (i.e., not fenced) and has been built eight to10 feet higher than the surrounding properties. There is a low area between the landfill property and the backyards of the residential properties on West Donovan Road (Charles Roosevelt, City of Houston, Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Public Health Engineering, personal communication, 2003; Bill Rhotenberry, Superfund Division, Region 6- US EPA, personal communication, 2003). Residents along the north side of West Donovan have reported runoff water and substances seeping from the site into their backyards. Poor drainage in the area aggravates the problem of standing water. Residents are concerned that they may be exposed to unknown hazardous substances from runoff originating on the adjacent landfill site [1-3].
In the spring of 2003 concerned community members from the Old Acres Homes Council, Inc., through a grant from EPA, hired a consulting firm to perform a limited assessment of pollution affecting properties south of the Booker Landfill. Upon completion of the investigation for the Council, the consultant, Quantum Environmental Consultants, Inc., reported that "it is not comprehensible whether the contamination at the subject property is due to offsite surface migration from the former landfill property" [4].
As a follow up to the consultant's report, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) collaborated in further site assessment. From May to August 2003, the combined agencies
The HDHHS review of the results, from the tested environmental media, determined that soil, groundwater, and drinking water concentrations were under the applicable EPA/TCEQ standards [3, 10].
The residents of the Acres Homes subdivision are concerned that "an excess number of residents have died of cancer," so the "community perceives that this site [Booker Landfill] is a significant threat to their health" [2]. Reportedly, fifteen residents on the "same side of West Donovan, all [of] whose yards also abut the landfill, some have either been diagnosed with or have died of cancer in the last 15 years " [1].
The TDH Cancer Registry Division examined cancer incidence (1995-2001) and mortality (1992-2001) for the ZIP Code that includes the subdivisions around the Booker Landfill: (77091). No significant elevations in cancer incidence or mortality were found for cancers of the prostate, female breast, lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, male bladder, corpus and uterus, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and brain including other nervous tissues (brain/CNS) [5-8].
The EPA conducted a preliminary assessment of the Booker site in the fall of 2003 [3; Charles Roosevelt, City of Houston, Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Public Health Engineering, personal communication, 2003; Bill Rhotenberry, Superfund Division, Region 6- US EPA, personal communication, 2003]. Seventeen surface soil samples (0-6 inches in depth), and three background soil samples were collected and analyzed in October and November of 2003 (Figures 1 and 2). Background samples were collected and analyzed for comparison to residential yard and landfill surface soil measurements. Samples were tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals. TDH/ATSDR evaluated the results of the analyses by comparing the detected constituents to health-based, health assessment comparison (HAC) values1 and by selecting for further consideration pollutants that exceeded HAC values.
Contaminants in Residential Yard and Ditch Surface Soil Samples
Seven residential yard and five "ditch" surface soil samples were collected in areas adjacent to the landfill. Chlorinated pesticides and PCBs were not detected above their respective reporting limits. The VOCs acetone (0.170 milligrams per kilogram or mg/kg), methyl ethyl ketone (0.018 mg/kg), and methylene chloride (0.015 mg/kg) were the chemicals found in the highest concentrations for this set of samples. However, laboratory quality review indicates that these VOCs results may be biased because of laboratory or field contamination issues. Low levels of the SVOCs 1,1'-biphenyl (3.4 mg/kg) and bis(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (1.1 mg/kg) were measured in two of the residential yards; however, the levels were below health-based screening values. Metals detected in the residential yard and ditch soil samples were below health-based screening values except for arsenic. Arsenic levels were comparable to average soil concentrations for this part of the United States and do not pose a health threat [9].
Contaminants in Landfill Surface Soil Samples
Five surface soil samples were collected from the surface of the landfill property. Low levels of the VOCs acetone (1.8 mg/kg) and methyl ethyl ketone (0.038 mg/kg) were detected, but were also considered biased by quality control review. The SVOC benzo(g,h,i)perylene (0.91 mg/kg) was detected in the soil collected from the landfill surface at a concentration below its health-based screening values. No chlorinated pesticides or PCBs were reported from any of the main landfill samples. Metals measured from this set of samples also were below health-based screening values except for arsenic. Arsenic levels were comparable to average soil concentrations for this region of the United States and do not pose a health threat [9].
Potential Public Health Implications
Residential Yards and Ditch Surface Soil
In all instances the levels of constituents detected in the surface soil samples collected from the residential yards or the low lying ditch between the residential yards and the Booker site either were below HAC values and/or they were comparable to expected soil levels for this region of the United States. Exposure to surface soil from the residential yards or the ditch poses no public health hazard.
Landfill Surface Soil
None of the constituents detected in the surface soil samples collected from the landfill exceeded their respective HAC values or the levels were comparable to expected levels for the region. Using these five surface soil sample results, it is unlikely that any child or adult who might come in contact with surface soil from the landfill site would experience any health problems because of their exposure. Exposure to the landfill surface soil poses no public health hazard.
ATSDR's Child Health Initiative
TDH and ATSDR recognize that the unique vulnerabilities of infants and children demand special emphasis. Children are at greater risk than are adults from certain kinds of exposures to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites and emergency events. Children are more likely to be exposed because they play outdoors and they often bring food into contaminated areas. They are shorter than adults and they breathe dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Children are also smaller than are adults, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per unit body weight. The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if toxic exposures occur during critical growth stages. Most importantly, children depend completely on adults for risk identification and management decisions, housing decision, and access to medical care.
In an effort to account for children's unique vulnerabilities, TDH/ATSDR considered the potential exposure to contaminants that children might receive from contaminants in soil from the landfill surface, residential yards, and the low lying ditch between them. Children currently are not likely to be exposed to harmful contaminants from the site. The maximum reported concentration of metals in the surface soil at residences and on the Booker Landfill site were comparable to those of uncontaminated areas.
Given available information, TDH/ATSDR has concluded that:
AUTHORS, TECHNICAL ADVISORS, AND ORGANIZATIONS
Authors
Keller A. Thormahlen, MS
Senior Toxicologist
Susan L. Prosperie, MS, RS
Environmental Specialist
Nancy Ingram, BS
Community Involvement Specialist
John F. Villanacci, PhD, EMT
Director
Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Division
Texas Department of Health
ATSDR Regional Representative
Jennifer Lyke
ATSDR Region 6
ATSDR Technical Project Officer
Robert Knowles, MS, REHS
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
State Programs Section
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
This public health consultation was prepared by the Texas Department of Health (TDH) under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approved methodology and procedures that existed at the time the health consultation was initiated.
Robert Knowles
Technical Project Officer, SPS, SSAB, DHAC, ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this health consultation and concurs with its findings.
Roberta Erlwein
Chief, State Programs Section, SSAB, DHAC, ATSDR
APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
| ATSDR | Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry |
| CREG | Carcinogenic Risk Evaluation Guide |
| CSF | Cancer Slope Factor |
| EMEG | Environmental Media Evaluation Guide |
| EPA | United States Environmental Protection Agency |
| HAC | Health Assessment Comparison Value |
| MCL | Maximum Contaminant Level |
| MRLs | Minimal Risk Levels |
| PCBs | Polychlorinated Biphenyls |
| RfD | Reference Dose |
| RMEG | Reference Dose Media Evaluation Guide |
| SVOCs | Semi-volatile Organic Compounds |
| TCEQ | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality |
| TDH | Texas Department of Health |
| VOCs | Volatile Organic Compounds |
Figure 1. Surface soil sampling sites for residential and corresponding landfill locations
Figure 2. Surface soil sampling sites for landfill locations
Figure 3. Background surface soil sampling sites
Table 1. Residential Soil Samples (0-6 inches) Collected by EPA October 27-28, 2003 in the Vicinity of the Booker Landfill
| Residential Yard Samples | ||||
| Constituent | Sample ID | Maximum Concentration | HAC Value | Exceeded HAC |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (mg/kg) | ||||
| Acetone | BLSS-01-A | 0.170 B | 50000/600000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Methylene chloride | BLSS-01-A | 0.015 B | 90 CREG; 3000/40000 chrEMEGc/a | No |
| Methyl ethyl ketone | BLSS-01-A | 0.018 B | 30000/400000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Semivolatile Organic Compounds (mg/kg) | ||||
| 1,1'-Biphenyl | BLSS-02-A | 3.4 | 3000/40000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate | BLSS-02-A | 1.1 | 50 CREG; 1000/10000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Pesticides/PCBs (mg/kg) none detected above reporting limits | ||||
| Metals (mg/kg) | ||||
| Aluminum | BLSS-02-A | 3210 | 100000/1000000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Arsenic | BLSS-01-A | 6.8 | 0.5 CREG; 20/200 chrEMEGc/a | Yes |
| Barium | BLSS-02-A | 292 | 4000/50000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Chromium | BLSS-01-A | 24.5 | 200/2000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Copper | BLSS-01-A | 185 | 2000/20000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Iron | BLSS-01-A | 32100 | None | Na |
| Lead | BLSS-02-A | 57.7 | 400 EPA Action Level | No |
| Manganese | BLSS-02-A | 647 | 3000/40000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Nickel | BLSS-01-A | 62.7 | 1000/10000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Vanadium | BLSS-05-A | 14.9 | 200/2000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Zinc | BLSS-02-A | 538 | 20000/200000 chrEMEGc/a | No |
| Ditch Surface Soil (0-6 inches) | ||||
| Volatile Organic Compounds (mg/kg) | ||||
| Acetone | BLSS-12-A | 0.090 B | 50000/600000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Semivolatile Organic Compounds (mg/kg) none detected above reporting limits | ||||
| Pesticides/PCBs (mg/kg) none detected above reporting limits | ||||
| Metals (mg/kg) | ||||
| Aluminum | BLSS-10-A | 4020 | 100000/1000000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Arsenic | BLSS-08-A | 4.8 | 0.5 CREG; 20/200 chrEMEGc/a | Yes |
| Barium | BLSS-12-A | 172 | 4000/50000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Chromium | BLSS-08-A | 12.4 | 200/2000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Copper | BLSS-08-A | 29.4 | 2000/20000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Iron | BLSS-08-A | 13000 | None | na |
| Lead | BLSS-12-A | 25.7 | 400 EPA Action Level | No |
| Manganese | BLSS-12-A | 264 | 3000/40000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Nickel | BLSS-09-A | 19.4 | 1000/10000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Vanadium | BLSS-08-A | 16.0 | 200/2000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Zinc | BLSS-08-A | 146 | 20000/200000 chrEMEGc/a | No |
B-This result may be high biased because of laboratory/field contamination.
RMEGc/a- Reference dose based media evaluation guide for a child/ for an adult; CREG-Cancer risk evaluation guide; chrEMEGc/a - chronic environmental media evaluation guide for a child/for an adult
Table 2. Surface Soil Samples from on the
Landfill Collected by EPA October 27-28, 2003
| Volatile Organic Compounds (mg/kg) | ||||
| Constituent | Sample ID | Maximum Concentration | HAC Value | Exceeded HAC |
| Methyl ethyl ketone | BLSS-14-A | 0.038 B | 30000/400000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Acetone | BLSS-14-A | 1.8 B | 50000/600000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Semivolatile Organic Compounds (mg/kg) | ||||
| Benzo(g,h,i)perylene | BLSS-16-A | 0.91 | None | na |
| Pesticides/PCBs (mg/kg) none detected above reporting limits | ||||
| Metals (mg/kg) | ||||
| Aluminum | BLSS-16-A | 4370 | 100000/1000000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Arsenic | BLSS-14-B | 4.5 | 0.5 CREG; 20/200 chrEMEGc/a | Yes |
| Barium | BLSS-16-A | 136 | 4000/50000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Chromium | BLSS-16-A | 6.5 | 200/2000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Copper | BLSS-16-A | 9.0 | 2000/20000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Iron | BLSS-16-A | 6060 | None | na |
| Lead | BLSS-16-A | 27.6 | 400 EPA Action Level | No |
| Manganese | BLSS-14-A | 412 | 3000/40000 RMEGc/a | No |
| Vanadium | BLSS-16-A | 16.1 | 200/2000 intEMEGc/a | No |
| Zinc | BLSS-16-A | 183 | 20000/200000 chrEMEGc/a | No |
B-This result may be high biased because of laboratory/field contamination.
RMEGc/a- Reference dose based media evaluation guide for a child/ for an adult; CREG-Cancer risk evaluation guide; chrEMEGc/a - chronic environmental media evaluation guide for a child/for an adult
Health assessment comparison (HAC) values are guidelines that specify levels of chemicals in specific environmental media (soil, air, and water) that are considered safe for human contact. Because many of the assumptions used to calculate HAC values are conservative with respect to protecting public health, exceeding a HAC value does not necessarily mean that adverse health effects will occur. However, exceeding a HAC value does suggest that potential site-specific exposure to the contaminant warrants further consideration.
