DEL MONTE CORPORATION
(OAHU PLANTATION)
KUNIA, HONOLULU COUNTY, HAWAII
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the available information, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) concludes that the people of Kunia were not exposed to significant levels of ethylene
dibromide and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane in their drinking water. Therefore, we do not
anticipate that the people who drank the Kunia well water will have any adverse health effects.
In accordance with the ATSDR Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual, ATSDR has
classified the Del Monte Oahu Plantation National Priorities List (NPL) site as a "No Apparent
Public Health Hazard" for past and current conditions.
Multiple groundwater samples have been taken only from three wells in the upper aquifer and
one well in the Waipahu Basal Aquifer. Therefore, total extent of groundwater contamination
originating from the Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL site has not been determined.
Because the total extent of groundwater contamination has not been determined, it is not possible
for ATSDR to determine whether site-related contaminants can migrate into drinking water wells
downgradient at levels of public health concern from the Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL site.
In accordance with the ATSDR Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual, ATSDR has
classified the Del Monte Oahu Plantation National Priorities List site as an "Indeterminate Public
Health Hazard" for future conditions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The total extent of groundwater contamination in the upper and Waipahu Basal aquifers
should be determined.
In addition to ethylene dibromide and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, environmental samples
from the Del Monte Oahu Plantation National Priorities List (NPL) site should also be analyzed
for the other pesticides used at the Del Monte Oahu Plantation and for substances on the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Target Compound List.
Appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures should be conducted for any
future environmental sampling at the Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL site.
Drinking water wells downgradient from the Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL site should be
monitored annually for site-related contaminants.
The Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL site, Honolulu County, Hawaii, has been evaluated by the
ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) to determine what future health
activities are recommended at this site. Because ATSDR concludes that the people of Kunia
were not exposed to significant levels of site-related contaminants and does not anticipate that
the people who drank the Kunia well water will have adverse health effects, this site is not being
considered for follow-up health activities at this time. During the public comment period of this
public health assessment, ATSDR provided health education during the Public Comment Period
to explain the Agency's findings. However, if data suggesting that human exposure to hazardous
substances at levels of public health concern is currently occurring become available, ATSDR
will reevaluate this site for any indicated follow up.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Del Monte Oahu Plantation National Priorities
List (NPL) site is a description of actions the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Hawaii Department of
Health (HDOH) will take at the site. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public
health assessment identifies public health hazards and includes a plan of action to stop or prevent
harm to people that can be caused by their exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.
ATSDR, EPA and HDOH are committed to this plan and will ensure that it is carried out.
A. Public Health Actions Taken
The owners of the Del Monte Oahu Plantation discontinued using the Kunia well (United States
Geological Survey [USGS] number 2703-01) immediately after it was determined the well was
contaminated with ethylene dibromide (EDB) and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP). The
plantation owners are providing Kunia with drinking water that is not contaminated with
hazardous substances.
The Safe Drinking Water Branch, HDOH, monitors all state drinking water wells that serve 25 or
more individuals. Tests for DBCP and EDB are routinely conducted.
ATSDR provided health education during the Public Comment Period of this public health
assessment.
B. Public Health Actions Planned
EPA and HDOH will assure that any downgradient wells are monitored annually for site-related
contaminants. In addition, EPA and HDOH will assure that future environmental sampling and
analysis at the Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL site will be conducted in accordance with EPA
sampling and analysis protocols.
EPA and HDOH will update ATSDR on any activities at the Del Monte Oahu Plantation NPL
site.
Preparers of Report
Sven E. Rodenbeck, P.E.
Environmental Engineer Consultant
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Stephanie Prausnitz, MS
Environmental Health Scientist
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
ATSDR Regional Representative
Gwendolyn B. Eng
Public Health Advisor
ATSDR Region IX
REFERENCES
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