PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
FACET ENTERPRISES
ELMIRA, CHEMUNG COUNTY, NEW YORK
To evaluate if a site poses an existing or potential hazard to the exposed or potentially exposed population(s), the site conditions are characterized. This site characterization involves a review of sampling data for environmental media (e.g., soil, surface water, groundwater, air), both on- and off-site; an evaluation of the physical conditions of the contaminant sources or physical hazards near the site which may pose an additional health risk to the community or receptor population(s).
Contaminants selected for further evaluation are identified based upon consideration of the following factors:
The selected contaminant(s) are evaluated in the Public Health Implications section (Toxicological Evaluation ) of the Public Health Assessment (PHA) to determine whether exposure to these chemicals is of public health significance.
The On-site Contamination subsection and the Off-site Contamination subsection include discussions of sampling data for environmental media; summary tables of sampling data are presented in Appendix B. A listed contaminant does not necessarily mean that it will cause adverse health effects from exposure. If a chemical is selected for further evaluation in one medium, that contaminant will be reported in all media, where it is detected.
The one exception to this rule are water and sludge results (Table 1) from dry wells on the site. Table 1 lists contaminants that are not listed in other tables because they were not found in other media. Using that criterion, 26 such contaminants were identified and reported in Tables 2 through 8. Tables 2 through 8 provide the results from soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater testing. The one exception to this is for the results from the dry wells on-site, from which contaminants not found in any of the other media are listed.
Purolator Products collected samples of environmental media on-site during the 1990 RI. The following discussions addresses data from all of the sampling conducted during the 1990 RI and some of the sampling data from the 1986 RI.
Waste Material
The 1990 RI reports that metal plating wastes including chromic acid and metal hydroxide sludges were disposed on-site. Additionally, oils and coal/boiler ashes were also disposed on-site and waste liquids were deposited in dry wells. Samples from the dry well contained several chlorinated solvents and metals (see Table 1, Appendix B). Benzene, toluene, and xylenes were found only in the sludges and liquids from those dry wells and not in any other samples; therefore, they are not listed in any other tables.
Soil
Table 2 summarizes the data for the soil samples collected from the 1986 RI and 1990 RI. Over 100 soil samples were collected during these investigations. Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic chemicals and inorganics were found on-site. Seventeen contaminants are identified for further evaluation for soil. Of these, methylene chloride has been attributed to laboratory contamination. The data from these samples are adequate to describe the contamination at the site and the associated public health implications.
Groundwater
Twelve on-site monitoring wells including one monitoring well upgradient of the sources of contamination were sampled during the 1990 RI (see Table 3, Appendix B). Several chlorinated VOCs and metals were found in concentrations exceeding New York State Drinking Water Standards and other comparison values. Of the VOCs, cis-1,2-dichloroethene and trichloroethene were found most frequently and in the highest concentrations. None of the semi-volatiles found in soils that are listed in Table 2 (Appendix B) were found in groundwater. Of the inorganic chemicals, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and lead were found in concentrations exceeding regulatory standards used as comparison values.
Sediment Samples
Twenty-one sediment samples were collected from Heights Drainage Swale (see Table 4, Appendix B ). One sample from the swale was found to contain 6.8 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) of Aroclor 1254, a PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl). Sediment from this swale also contained up to 11 mg/kg of benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene. Trichloroethene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane were the only VOCs detected and were found in very low concentrations (less than 10.0 mg/kg) in just a few samples. Chromium and cadmium were both found in elevated concentrations in the drainage swale sediments.
Three samples of the North Drainage Swale sediments contained Aroclor 1248, cadmium, and chromium. Additionally, several semi-volatile organics that are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were in those samples. Methylene chloride was the only VOC found in sediment samples and is most likely from laboratory contamination.
Sediments from Area 6 contained trichloroethene, cis-1,2-dichloroethene, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The highest reported concentration was 130 mg/kg of trichloroethene. Additionally, elevated levels of chromium as well as Aroclor 1248 and several PAHs were detected. The sediment samples from Area 10 also contained trichloroethene, Aroclor 1248, some PAHs, and elevated levels of cadmium and chromium.
The sediment of the oil/water separator contained PAHs. No PCBs or volatile organic chemicals present were in the sediment samples collected from the oil/water separator.
Surface Water
Surface water samples were collected on-site from the oil/water separators, Heights Drainage Swale, and Area 10 (see Table 5, Appendix B). Inorganic chemicals were found in the surface water samples from all three areas. However, only chromium in one sample from Area 10 appeared at an elevated concentration.
Cis-1,2-dichloroethene was in both samples collected from Area 10; the highest concentration was 5.0 micrograms per liter (mcg/L). Trichloroethene was also found in one of those samples at 2.0 mcg/L. Aroclor 1248 was also in both samples from Area 10 at concentrations of 0.5 and 5.0 mcg/L. No other semi-volatile organic compounds were found in the samples from Area 10.
No VOCs were found in either of the samples from the oil/water separator or the Heights Drainage Swale. Four different PAHs were found in the samples from the oil/water separator, each at a concentration less than 50 mcg/L.
Ambient Air
Total VOCs were detected at concentrations up to 3.8 parts per million (ppm), in the breathing zone of field personnel working near monitoring well drilling operations. These measurements were made using a Foxboro Organic Vapor Analyzer (OVA) which measures "real-time" concentrations. No detection limits were provided, but in general, this instrumentation provides reliable data for concentrations greater than 1.0 part per million (ppm). Total VOCs were not detected along the perimeter of the site. Eight-hour, time-weighted average (TWA) monitoring by carbon adsorption detected TCE up to 1.6 ppm.
Another component of the air monitoring program involved a determination of indoor air quality in three on-site facility basements or the boiler room tunnel. Air testing was conducted in Building B, Plant 2, and the "Starter" Building. VOCs were not detected in two of the basements and the boiler room tunnel. Samples from the basement of the Starter Building contained a range of total VOCs from not detected to 1.6 ppm.
Soil
No off-site soil samples from residential yards were collected. This is a concern in the area of the Heights Drainage Swale where previous flooding of yards potentially could have contaminated residential soils. However, the Heights Drainage Swale has been sampled and PCBs in concentrations up to 6.9 mg/kg were found. Additionally, arsenic was found in one subsurface soil sample at an elevated concentration. The Heights Drainage swale is considered to be on-site, despite it's proximity to an off-site residential area. Further discussion of contamination in this swale is discussed under Section A, On-Site Contamination.
Groundwater
Table 6 (Appendix B) gives the results from sampling of two groundwater monitoring wells installed hydrogeologically downgradient of the site. The wells are located immediately across from Route 14 and within 500 feet of the Facet Enterprises site. The results for these wells show that contaminated groundwater has moved off-site. TCE was found at 160 mcg/L in one of the monitoring wells. None of the semi-volatile chemicals in Table 5 (Appendix B) were found in these samples. Some metals, especially chromium, were found at concentrations higher than New York State Drinking Water Standards.
Sediment
One sample of sediment was collected from May's Creek at a location downgradient of the site. Several PAHs, arsenic and cadmium were found in this sample at elevated concentrations and are contaminants for further evaluation (see Table 7, Appendix B).
Surface Water
Low levels of VOCs were found in the sample of surface water collected from Mays Creek. TCE was found at a concentration of 10.5 mcg/L. Cyanide was the only other contaminant listed in Table 8 (Appendix B) that was found in Mays Creek surface water.
Private Wells
An extensive well survey, conducted as part of the RI for the Kentucky Avenue Wellfield site, found only 3 private wells within a 2 mile radius of Kentucky Avenue. The survey encompasses the area that is potentially impacted by contamination from Facet Enterprises. These private wells are more than 1 mile north and hydrogeologically upgradient from Facet Enterprises.
Public Water Supplies
The Sullivan Street and the Kentucky Avenue public water supply wellfields in the Newtown Creek Aquifer are contaminated with chlorinated organic chemicals, primarily TCE. Kentucky Avenue Wellfield is about 1.0 mile to the north-northeast of Facet Enterprises. Sullivan Street Wellfield is about 1.5 miles to the south-southeast of Facet Enterprises. Facet Enterprises was studied by the US EPA, NYS DOH, NYS DEC and CC DOH as a potential source of the contamination of the Kentucky Avenue Wellfield (Kentucky Avenue Wellfield RI Report, EPA, 1986). It was found not to be contributing to the Kentucky Avenue wellfield contamination. Facet Enterprises, along with other sources, is contaminating the Newtown Creek Aquifer at a location upgradient of the Sullivan Street Wellfield (see Table 9, Appendix B). These data indicate that the Sullivan Street public water supply wells are contaminated with TCE in concentrations above New York State Drinking Water Standards and that the Facet Enterprises is a potential source of some of the contamination. Contamination was first found in this wellfield in 1980. Since then, 5 to 10 mcg/L of trichloroethene was found.
C. Quality Assurance and Quality Control
In preparing this public health assessment, the ATSDR and NYS DOH rely on the information in the referenced documents and assume that adequate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) measures were followed with regard to chain-of-custody, laboratory procedures and data reporting, unless otherwise noted. The validity of analysis and conclusions drawn for this health assessment is determined by the completeness and reliability of that information.
The QA/QC information for the data presented in the tables of this document has been reviewed. The information indicates that the data are acceptable and were obtained using established protocols. Some common analytical problems were identified such as laboratory contamination of samples with methylene chloride. The presence of methylene chloride in samples is therefore likely to be from the analysis itself and not because it is a site contaminant. The QA/QC data were reviewed by personnel of the NYS DEC, NYS DOH and US EPA.
No potential physical hazards to the public were identified at this site.
E. Toxic Release Inventory Data (TRI)
To identify other facilities that could possibly contribute to site-related contaminants in soil, air, groundwater, and/or surface water at or near the Facet Enterprises site, the NYS DOH searched the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI). The TRI has been developed by the US EPA from chemical release information provided by those industries that are required to report contaminant emissions and releases on an annual basis.
The NYS DOH is using the most recent TRI data submitted by industrial facilities identified to be within a 2.5 mile radius of the boundaries of the site as a means to evaluate other sources of additional health risk in the exposed population.
The NYS DOH uses a simple mathematical model to estimate if potential contaminant concentrations resulting from air emissions at a facility may be contributing to community (receptor population) exposures to contaminants at a site. This model uses information about the facility location (distance from the exposed population) and annual air emission data to calculate the radial distance from the facility at which contaminant concentrations in ambient air have been diluted to 1 microgram per cubic meter of air (mcg/m3). The NYS DOH then evaluates what portion, if any, of the population living within this distance from the manufacturing facility may also be exposed to contaminants originating at the site.
Several manufacturing facilities including Purolator Products filed TRI data for 1990. These facilities are Toshiba Display Devices Inc., Imaging & Sensing, LRC Electronics, Hardinge Brothers Inc., Westinghouse Electric Corporation and Industrial Service Corporation. The locations of these facilities are shown in Figure 4 of Appendix A. Based on the TRI data and air emissions modeling, results of the screening evaluation indicate that the contribution of these industrial facilities to health risks in the community around the Facet site is minimal.
This section of the public health assessment (PHA) identifies potential and completed exposure pathways associated with past, present and future use of the site. An exposure pathway is the process by which an individual may be exposed to contaminants originating from a site. An exposure pathway is comprised of five elements, including: (1) a contaminant source; (2) environmental media and transport mechanisms; (3) point of exposure; (4) a route of exposure; and (5) a receptor population.
The source of contamination is the source of contaminant release to the environment (any waste disposal area or point of discharge); if the original source is unknown, it is the environmental media (soil, air, biota, water) which are contaminated at the point of exposure. Environmental media and transport mechanisms "carry" contaminants from the source to points where human exposure may occur. The exposure point is a location where actual or potential human contact with a contaminated medium may occur. The route of exposure is the manner in which a contaminant actually enters or contacts the body (i.e., ingestion, inhalation, dermal adsorption). The receptor population is the persons who are exposed or may be exposed to contaminants at a point of exposure.
Two types of exposure pathways are evaluated in the PHA; a completed exposure pathway exists when the criteria for all five elements of an exposure pathway are documented; a potential exposure pathway exists when the criteria for any one of the five elements comprising an exposure pathway is not met. An exposure pathway is considered to be eliminated when any one of the five elements comprising an exposure pathway has not existed in the past, does not exist in the present and will never exist in the future.
A. Completed Exposure Pathways
Groundwater Exposure Pathway
One completed exposure pathway is identified. Trichloroethene was found in samples of finished water in the Sullivan Street wells at an average and maximum concentration of 7.0 mcg/L and 10.3 mcg/L, respectively. The Sullivan Street wells are currently not used as a source of potable water. The US EPA is in the process of installing a treatment system at this wellfield so that it can be used in the future. This work is expected to be completed early in 1994.
TCE at Facet Enterprises is known to have percolated through the soil into groundwater. Groundwater on-site is known to flow in a south-southeastern direction, towards the Sullivan Street Wellfield. However, determining the exact source or sources of the TCE at the Sullivan Street Wellfield may be impossible. Facet Enterprises is not the only potential source. What can be determined is that contaminants, including TCE, have migrated from the site in the direction of the wellfield.
From 1986 through 1989 the quality of water from this wellfield conformed to drinking water standards. In 1990, stricter standards were promulgated which the water from this wellfield failed to meet. The Elmira Water Board closed the Sullivan Street Wellfield in 1991.
As a result of the contamination of the Sullivan Street Wellfield, a maximum of 60,000 people could have been exposed to trichloroethene for a period of at least ten years and a maximum of thirty years. Contamination was first found in 1980 and the wellfield was used until 1991. Prior to 1980, it is not known how long trichloroethene may have been present in the water supply; however, the wellfield was first used in 1961 and the maximum exposure duration could be 30 years. Although 60,000 people is the maximum number of people potentially served by the Sullivan Street Wellfield, other water sources were used in conjunction with the Sullivan Street Wellfield. It is not known if these other water sources served independent areas of the population served by the public water supply or if all water sources were combined prior to distribution. Therefore, it is estimated that about 20,000 people were exposed to contaminated groundwater from this wellfield. Until the treatment system is installed, there still is a potential for exposure to the general public since, in an emergency situation it is possible that the Elmira Water Board would need to bring the Sullivan Street Wellfield on-line as an alternate or supplemental water supply.
People served by public water contaminated with TCE are exposed to TCE through ingestion, inhalation and dermal adsorption. Ingestion of TCE occurs when the water is used for potable purposes. Inhalation occurs after the TCE has volatilized from the water during activities such as showering or bathing. Showering and bathing with contaminated water results in direct contact to the contaminant allowing for dermal adsorption.
B. Potential Exposure Pathways
In addition to the one known completed human exposure pathway, three potential human exposure pathways have been identified at this site (see Table 11).
Surface Water/Sediment Exposure Pathway
Heights Drainage Swale is on a parcel of Purolator property where neighborhood teenagers have reportedly gathered for recreation. A fence was constructed in 1991 to restrict access to this area. Staff of Purolator Products reported that the neighborhood teenagers spent most of their time in secluded areas of the "Heights Drainage Swale area." Specifically, the teenagers spent their time on a parcel of land which is about 25 feet higher in elevation and west of the swale. It is also possible that neighborhood children played in the swale itself. Any local resident that trespassed through the drainage swale potentially could have been exposed to contaminated soils/sediments. Additionally, there is a potential that the areal extent of the migration of contaminants from the swale during flooding included yards of homes immediately adjacent to the swale and, therefore, are potential exposure points. However, not enough information is available at this time to describe the potential for exposure associated with migration. Adults and children, especially those children younger than 5 years, accidentally ingest small amounts of soil each day because of hand to mouth contact. The concern is that a person that came into contact with the contaminated soils/sediments of the swale would then accidentally ingest contaminants in addition to adsorbing the contaminants across skin (dermal adsorption).
It is unlikely that May's Creek is used by local residents, including neighborhood children. It borders Route 14 which is a very busy highway and inaccessible to pedestrians. However, any person wading through this stream would have direct skin contact to trichloroethene-contaminated surface water as well as cadmium, arsenic and PAH contamination in the sediments of May's Creek. The proposed remedial action plan calls for dredging sediments from the creek and eliminating discharges of chlorinated compounds such as trichloroethene to groundwaters and surface waters.
Groundwater/Soil Gas Exposure Pathways
Potential exposure pathways of concern that need further investigation at this site are infiltration of contaminated groundwater and soil gas into basements of private residences. Groundwater under the homes along Route 14 is reported to be twenty feet below ground surface and deeper as one moves away from the site. The depth of the groundwater should preclude water from seeping into these basements. Homes along 18th Street, south of the site may also be affected by seepage of contaminated groundwater into basements. Groundwater in this area is less than 10 feet below ground surface and artesian conditions reported on-site suggest that infiltration of groundwater into basements is likely. A survey of basements in homes near the Heights Drainage Swale indicated that flooding occurs in some homes after rainfall. However, because on-site groundwater near these homes was not contaminated and groundwater flow is lateral to these residences, it is not likely that contaminated groundwater from the site is infiltrating into the basements. The information available is not sufficient to determine the potential for groundwater/soil gas to carry contaminants into basements.
Soil Exposure Pathway
The other potential exposure pathway that needs further investigation is direct contact to potentially contaminated off-site soils. Currently no off-site soil sampling was done in the neighborhood south of the site. However, it is considered unlikely that the practices at Facet Enterprises has resulted in significant off-site soil contamination.
Employees of Purolator Products Company and other workers (such as environmental consultants) on-site could have direct contact to contaminants in any of the 11 contaminated areas on-site. However, the exposure to the contaminants in those areas should be minimal due to the use of engineering controls, personal protective equipment (respirators, gloves) as well as standard work practices, guidelines and standards set by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Additionally, employees of Purolator Products work in areas on-site that are removed from most of the eleven contaminated areas. The restriction of site access through fencing of the entire property and a 24-hour security force eliminates the potential for the community to be exposed to most of the contamination on-site. Although it is thought that those are the only current potential exposures, further work is needed to categorically conclude that contaminated groundwater is not impacting residential basements and off-site surface soils in the neighborhood near Heights Drainage Swale are not contaminated.
B. Health Outcome Data Evaluation
The NYS DOH is in the process of developing a statewide registry of residents exposed to VOCs in drinking water. The area served by the Sullivan Street Wellfield will be considered for inclusion in the registry. Periodically, this registry will be matched against the NYS cancer registry and the congenital malformations registry to evaluate possible adverse health outcomes.
C. Community Health Concerns Evaluation
The community is primarily concerned about impacts on their drinking water supply. Each of the community concerns about health has been addressed as follows:
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