There are several paths of exposure to hazardous substances from this site which constitute a
public health hazard:
Six private wells near the site were found contaminated with chromium. However, the present
levels of contamination are not a public health concern. Most of these wells have connected to
public water supplies.
Because of the large amount of chromium lost at the Boomsnub facility workers at that plant
may have had significant levels of exposure. The plant is no longer in operation. No
information has been found to assess any potential health effect.
The groundwater plume of chromium and VOCs emanating from this site is a threat to a
public water supply for more than 50,000 people. The plume containment and source removal
efforts by environmental agencies may prevent this exposure pathway from being completed.
Environmental agencies should continue their efforts to contain the plume of contamination
and remove and control the sources of contamination.
Municipal water supplies threatened by the groundwater plume of contamination should
continue to be closely monitored for chromium and VOCs.
Site Characterization Recommendations
An area-wide investigation should be conducted to identify all sources of chromium and
VOCs.
A door-to-door survey should be conducted to identify all existing and abandoned wells in or
close to the identified path of the plume. People with private wells should be encouraged to
connect to the available city water supply.
Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendations
The data and information developed for the Boomsnub/Airco Preliminary Public Health
Assessment have been evaluated by the ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel
(HARP) for follow-up activities. The panel offers the following recommendations:
A community education effort should be undertaken in Clark County to inform area physicians
and the public about the health implications of this site.
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for this site contains a description of actions to be taken
by ATSDR, WDOH, and other governmental agencies subsequent to the completion of this
assessment. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that this public 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 exposure to hazardous substances in the
environment. ATSDR and WDOH will reevaluate and may expand the PHAP when additional
data becomes available. Future environmental and/or health outcome data may determine the
need for additional actions at this site.
Actions by WDOH
Evaluate the educational needs regarding the site of the area's community and health
professionals.
Develop educational materials, where appropriate, to inform the community and/or health care
professionals about the health implications of the site. For the community, written materials
could be supplemented with community meetings. For health professionals, written materials, as
well as training seminars, may be presented.
The educational effort, which has already begun, should be completed by this fall.
Work with other agencies to identify existing and abandoned wells in or close to the identified
path of the plume.
Evaluate additional groundwater monitoring results as they become available.
Provide assistance to the EPA through reviewing the effectiveness of remedial actions
considered for the site.
Actions by EPA
On April 17, EPA began a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the site. The
investigation will determine the full nature and extent of contamination remaining at the site, and
will evaluate alternatives for final cleanup actions. The RI/FS will also help determine if there
are sources other than Boomsnub and Airco contributing to the groundwater contamination in the
area.
The investigation will begin with about three weeks of groundwater sampling. Eighty-one
wells, both on and off site, will be tested for contaminants including metals, semivolatile organic
compounds, polychorinated biphenyls, and pesticides, in addition to chromium and volatile
organic compounds which are known to contaminate groundwater in the vicinity of the site.
Groundwater coming into the pump and treat system and effluent, treated groundwater going out
from the system, will be tested as well.
Robert A. Poss
Public Health Advisor
Washington State Department of Health
John S. Morris, R.S.
Public Health Advisor
Washington State Department of Health
John Grendon, D.V.M.
Epidemiologist
Washington State Department of Health
James W. White, B.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Toxicologist
Washington State Department of Health
REVIEWERS OF REPORT
Frank Westrum, R.S., M.S., M.P.H.
Section Head
Hazardous Waste Section
Washington State Department of Health
ATSDR Regional Representative:
Gregory D. Thomas
Senior Regional Representative
Office of Assistant Administrator
EPA Region 10
Ric Robinson
Public Health Advisor
EPA Region 10
ATSDR Technical Project Officer:
Richard R. Kauffman
Toxicologist
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
State Program Section
CERTIFICATION
This Boomsnub/Airco Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Washington 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 public health assessment was begun.
Richard R. Kauffman, M.S.
Technical Project Officer
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC)
ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health
assessment, and concurs with its findings.
Robert C. Williams, P.E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
