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  1. ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

HEALTH CONSULTATION

DIAMOND STATE SALVAGE
WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE


CONCLUSIONS

  1. Based on the data reviewed, concentrations of PCBs detected in sediment along Brandywine Creek may pose a potential health hazard to subsistence fisherman who consume the contaminated fish. Furthermore, PCBs contaminated sediment may serve as a continuing source of contamination for bottom feeding fish.

  2. The available sediment samples represent one point in time, and the direction of change in sediment PCBs concentrations is not known (i.e., it is not known whether they will increase or decrease in the future). Therefore, it would be prudent to assess soils on site with regard to their potential for future sediment contamination and consider remediation of those soils on the basis of estimated future risk.

RECOMMENDATION

Assess onsite soils with regard to their potential as a source for future sediment contamination and fish tissue contamination.

    Robert L. Williams, Ph.D.
Environmental Health Specialist
     
  Concurred: Richard Canady, Ph.D., DABT
Senior Toxicologist



REFERENCES

  1. Sediment Investigation Report for Diamond State Salvage Site, prepared by Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, September 1997.

  2. Data Package for Diamond State Salvage Site, from Kevin Koob, EPA Region 3 to Charles Walters, ATSDR Region 3, August 16, 1995.

  3. ATSDR's Update Toxicological Profile for PCBs, February 20, 1996.

  4. EPA's Quick Reference Fact Sheet, A Guide on Remedial Actions at Superfund Sites With PCB Contamination, August 1990.

  5. The Incidence and Severity of Sediment Contamination in Surface Waters of the United States, Volume 1: National Sediment Quality Survey, U.S. EPA, September 1997.

  6. E-mail from Kevin Koob, EPA Region to Tom Stukas, ATSDR Region 3, March 4, 1998.

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