ATSDR - Health Consultation - Cornell Dubilier Electronics Incorporated, South Plainfield, Middlesex County, New Jersey

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HEALTH CONSULTATION

CORNELL-DUBILIER ELECTRONICS INCORPORATED SITE
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

Based on the indoor dust and surface soil analytical data for the residential properties located across the street from the Cornell-Dubilier site, the one point and time sampling event for both indoor dust and surface soils, the unknown location of an elevated level of PCBs on a specific residential property (e.g., the one 22 ppm elevated PCB level may be located next to a child's play area or near the entryway into the home), and the uncertainty of the future indoor dust levels (how the indoor dust levels would be impacted by surface soil contamination is uncertain), ATSDR concludes the following:

Elevated levels of PCBs were detected in indoor dust and the surface soils at residential properties that may pose a health concern or potential health concern to the residents. The health evaluations for the residential properties are presented in the following table:

Table 1: Health Categories for Residential Properties:

Residential Property Designations	Health Categories	Follow up activities needed for residents with elevated levels of PCBs in indoor dust and/or surface soils
1. E	Health concern (a)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
2. D	Health concern (a)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
3. C	Health concern (a)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
4. G	*Potential health concern (b)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated (surface soil contamination may be tracked into homes)
5. O	Potential health concern (b)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated (surface soil contamination may be tracked into homes)
6. J	Potential health concern (b)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated (surface soil contamination may be tracked into homes)
7. B	Potential health concern (b)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated (surface soil contamination may be tracked into homes)
8. A	Potential health concern (b)	health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated surface soils at this property did not represent a health concern; however, PCBs were detected in the indoor dust.
9. I	Potential health concern (b)	reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated (surface soil contamination may be tracked into homes)
10. M	Potential health concern (d)	reduce/stop potential exposure to surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils indoor dust not a health concern; however, surface soil contamination may contribute to future indoor dust contamination
11. F	Potential health concern (d)	reduce/stop potential exposure to surface soils contaminated with PCBs health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils indoor dust not a health concern; however, surface soil contamination may contribute to future indoor dust contamination
12. L	No health concern (e)	no action at this time
13. H	Potential health concern (c)	sample indoor dust health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
14. K.	Potential health concern (c)	sample indoor dust health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
15. N	Potential health concern (c)	sample indoor dust health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
16. P	Potential health concern (c)	sample indoor dust health education on ways to reduce/stop potential exposure to indoor dust and/or surface soils
(a) Health concern - take action to reduce/stop exposures to PCBs * Potential health concern- data needed, prudent to take action at this time to reduce exposures: (b) resample indoor dust to ensure that future indoor dust levels are not elevated (surface soil) contamination may be tracked into homes) (c) indoor dust sampling should be conducted to better assess the health concern at these residential properties (d) surface soils are elevated and may pose a future health concern for indoor dust contamination (e) No health concern- no action needed at this time

The nature and extent of off-site migration of PCB contaminated dust via wind has not been determined.
The nature and extent of surface soil PCB contamination in this residential community has not been determined.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Prevent potential exposure to PCBs in surface soil at levels of public health concern. ATSDR believes that an interim measure or permanent solution to the contaminated residential yards and/or indoor dust should be put in place within six months.
As additional data becomes available on the extent and degree of off-site contamination, provide health education to residents on ways to reduce their potential exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) present in indoor dust and surface soils. ATSDR will assist in the health education at this site through the Division of Health Assessment and Consultation's Community Involvement Branch.
Different cleaning methods should be used in the homes where elevated levels of PCBs were detected in indoor dust by wet/damp dusting and mopping on floors and hard surfaces with a cleaning solution such as Lestoil or Mr.Clean. These products are mineral-oil-based cleaners that help to clean up the PCBs. Carpets should also be shampooed with these products. Prior to cleaning of the home interior surfaces by EPA, the use of a regular vacuum cleaner to remove dust is NOT recommended unless a HEPA (high efficiency particulate adsorption) filter is placed on the vacuum cleaner exhaust.
As needed, additional dust suppression techniques should be used at the site to prevent off-site migration of contaminated dust.
Conduct indoor dust sampling at residential properties where only surface soil sampling was conducted.
Determine if other residences in the area are contaminated (include soil samples from properties located upwind of the facility).

If further clarification is required or when additional information becomes available, please contact this office at 404/639-0616.

Tammie McRae, M.S. Date: 5-17-98

Concurrence: Lynn Wilder Date: 5/20/98

REFERENCES

VonGunten, Brian. ATSDR Record of Activity Region 2. Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Inc. Request from EPA Region II for a health consultation for the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics site. March 11, 1998.
Kinsler, Steven. ATSDR/Exposure Investigation and Consultation Branch Record of Activity, Cornell-Dubilier Electronics, South Plainfield, New Jersey. Log No. 97- 1004. October 7, 1997.
Walker, Timothy. ATSDR/ Health Consultation, Cornell-Dubilier Electronics (aka Hamilton Industrial Park), South Plainfield, New Jersey. May 27, 1997.
Cornell-Dubilier Electronics Sampling Trip Report (Surface Soil Sampling). DCN#: START-02-F-01454. TDD#: 02-97-02-0015. PCS#: 2076. Sampling Date: October 27,28,29 and 30, 1997.
Final Report, Vacuum Dust Sampling, Cornell Dubilier Electronics, South Plainfield, New Jersey. U.S. EPA Work Assignment No.: 2-262. Weston Work Order No.: 03347-142-001-2262-01. U.S. EPA Contract No.: 68-C4-0022. February 1998.
Toxicological Profile for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Update. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. September 1997.
PCBs: Cancer Dose-Response Assessment and Application to Environmental Mixtures. National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA/600/P-96/001F. September 1996.

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