1. The Duell and Gardner Landfill site currently poses no apparent public health hazard. As noted in the Pathways Analysis section above, human exposure to various contaminants may occur, or has occurred via dermal absorption, ingestion, and inhalation while people worked, played or trespassed on the site. The most probable exposures under current circumstances are not likely to cause adverse health effects. While the landfill was operating, there was a public health hazard to workers or trespassers. People who worked in the landfill on the site reported headaches, probably from exposure to volatile organic chemicals. Access to the site is not now restricted, and there are reports that trespass does occur.
2. Aniline, N,N-dimethylaniline, crystal violet, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and other chemicals are present in the groundwater at the site at levels potentially of health concern if the water is used for household purposes. The contamination has not reached nearby residential wells or surface water bodies, but might in the future unless it is remediated. Future development in the area might result in a well being drilled into the contaminated groundwater.
3. The material on the site contains volatile organic chemicals that might evaporate if the material is excavated or otherwise disturbed.
1. Although the site is in an area of low population density, evidence of public recreation activity on-site has been observed as was mentioned in the Pathways Analysis section. Such site access does not pose any apparent health hazard under ordinary circumstances. To reduce the potential for extraordinary exposures, those areas with high soil contamination as evidenced by soil discoloration and/or analytical testing should be restricted to prevent physical disruption by hikers, hunters, and off-the-road vehicles and to reduce the potential for dermal contact and inhalation exposure to chemical contaminants.
2. The groundwater should be monitored to detect whether the contamination approaches any point of potential exposure.
3. Air quality monitoring will be necessary to assess potential exposure of workers and the surrounding community to harmful substances during excavation in waste areas, soil borings and well installation.
HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION PANEL STATEMENT
A Health Activities Recommendation Panel convened by ATSDR and MDPH has evaluated the data and information developed for the Duell & Gardner Landfill public health assessment for appropriate follow-up health actions. The panel determined that there are indications human exposure to on-site/off-site contaminants may be currently occurring and occurred in the past. Some people suffered transient adverse health effects in the past that may have been related to exposure to site-related contaminants. However, it is not possible to identify those who may be currently exposed to contaminants or the extent of exposure for those who were exposed in the past. The panel recommends that a program of community and health professionals education be developed to improve the identification and tracking of health effects that may be related to this site. The panel supports the Muskegon County health education program under development by the MDPH.
If future ATSDR or MDPH evaluations indicate that a substantive completed exposure pathway exists or that the community has expressed specific health concerns, then health outcome data bases should be evaluated in future assessments for this site.
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Duell & Gardner site contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this public health assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but also provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. Included is a commitment on the part of ATSDR and MDPH to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented.
The MDNR has carried out extensive waste removal actions on the site.
At MDPH and community request, the MDNR posted additional signs at the site warning of the chemical contamination in December 1992 (23).
MDPH has provided information on the health risks to site area residents who requested it.
At the request of MDPH and the community, the MDNR sampled nearby residential wells and sediment from the drainage ditch south of the site in February 1993 (7).
MDPH is developing a program of community and physician health education for Muskegon County.
No other public health actions have been identified as necessary at this site at this time.
MDPH and ATSDR will coordinate with the environmental agencies to carry out the recommendations made in this health assessment.
ATSDR will reevaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan when needed. New environmental, toxicological, or health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions and recommendations may determine the need for additional actions at this site.
Michigan Department of Public Health
John Filpus, Environmental Engineer
James Bedford, Environmental Toxicologist
Robin Freer, GIS Specialist
Brendan Boyle, Health Assessment Coordinator
John Hesse, Principal Investigator
ATSDR Regional Representative
Louise Fabinski
Regional Services, Region V
Office of the Assistant Administrator
ATSDR Technical Project Officer
William Greim
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Remedial Programs Branch
The Duell & Gardner Landfill Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Michigan Department of Public 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.
William Greim
Technical Project Officer
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
OTHER SOURCES NOT REFERENCED IN THE TEXT
1. MDNR. 1988. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Site Status Summary, 2/88
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