PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
CLARKE ROAD MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LANDFILL
WAYNESBORO, BURKE COUNTY, GEORGIA
This site poses no apparent public health hazard (CATEGORY D) because of the following reasons: past human exposure to contaminated media was evaluated and that estimated exposure dose did not exceed an ATSDR chronic MRL; data are available for all environmental media to which humans may have been exposed, and only groundwater is contaminated off site where exposure may occur; and no community-specific health complaints indicate that the site has had an adverse impact on human health (7). Specific conclusions drawn from questions posed in the "Purpose and Health Issues" section of this document follow:
No, all of the data which has been gathered to investigate off-site contamination do NOT indicate that humans are being exposed to levels of contamination where adverse health effects may occur. Of the contaminants present in samples from private wells, none existed at high enough levels to exceed health guidelines or cause a significant level of increased cancer risk.
At this time, no potential health effects are expected to occur due to exposure in the past to groundwater at residences near this site. Should levels of groundwater contamination increase in the future, however, a potential exists that adverse health effects could occur. Possible effects would vary, depending upon levels and specific contaminants, so we are not listing any possible effects. The best way to prevent further exposure is to determine what is migrating toward private wells and to offer alternate water to residents whose wells are in imminent danger of contamination.
At this time, not enough data have been gathered to determine the full potential for the water supply of residents near the landfill to become contaminated. To best determine this potential, the source of contamination in the single private well has to be located. Thus far, whether the Clark Road MSWL or another source contributed to contamination in the residential well has not been clearly determined.
ATSDR recognizes that the unique vulnerabilities of infants and children demand special emphasis in communities faced with contamination of their water, soil, air, or food. Children are at a 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 because they often bring food into contaminated areas. They are more likely to come into contact with dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Also, they receive higher doses of chemical exposure because of lower body weights. The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if toxic exposures occur during critical growth stages.
We did not identify any current or future exposure situations at this site that would result in adverse health effects for children. All estimates for exposure doses and comparison values were considered for both children and adults specifically (Table 5).
Planned Public Health Actions
This Clarke Road Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Georgia Department of Human Resources 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.
Gail D. Godfrey
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health assessment and concurs with the findings.
Lisa C. Hayes
Chief, SPS, SSAB, DHAC, ATSDR
Georgia Department of Human Resources
Division of Public Health
Toxics and Health Hazards Consultation Section
Scott Harris, Toxicologist
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Gail Godfrey, Environmental Health Scientist
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