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1. ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

FACET ENTERPRISES
ELMIRA, CHEMUNG COUNTY, NEW YORK

APPENDIX A

Figure 1. Topographic Map of the Facet Area

Figure 2. Facet Enterprises Site Map

Figure 3. Locations of Suspected Sources of Contamination in the Newtown Creek Aquifer

Figure 4. 1989 Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) Facilities Near the Facet Enterprises Site.

Table 1.
Waste Material Sampling Facet Enterprises Site.
Elmira, Chemung County, New York
Data Summary

	Dry Well Liquid* 1991 (mcg/L)	Dry Well Sludge** 1991 (mg/kg)	Sludges 1981 Data (mg/kg)
Metals
antimony	ND	ND	<6.0
arsenic	5.0-12	ND	2.9
beryllium	ND-6.0	7.0-9.7	<0.8
cadmium	ND-16	22-660	130,000
chromium	ND-2,700	110-450	130,000
copper	25-1,800	1,200-1,300	13,000
lead	200-9,900	750-5,500	180
mercury	ND-4.5	ND-0.73	ND
nickel	ND-240	16-130	880
selenium	ND-7.0	0.34-0.38	<0.2
silver	20-40	3.7-32	<0.8
thallium	ND	9.7-15	<16
zinc	410-4,000	2,300-2,900	35,000
Halogenated Volatile Organics
methylene chloride	ND	<25	NA
trichloroethene	ND-3	<25-60	NA
tetrachloroethene	ND-1.0	ND-320	NA
PCB's
PCB 1016	ND	ND-14	NA
PCB 1221	ND	ND	NA
PCB 1232	ND	ND	NA
PCB 1248	ND-28	ND-26	NA
PCB 1254	ND	ND	NA
PCB 1260	ND-31	ND-20	NA

Waste Material Sampling Facet Enterprises Site.
Elmira, Chemung County, New York
Data Summary (page 2)

	Dry Well Liquid* 1991 (mcg/L)	Dry Well Sludge** 1991 (mg/kg)	Sludges 1981 Data (mg/kg)
Aromatic Volatile Organics
benzene	ND	0.82-1.39	NA
toluene	ND	0.2-3.05	NA
chlorobenzene/m-xylene	<1	2.19-9.26	NA
ethylbenzene	<1	ND-3.33	NA
p-xylene	<1	0.5-3.78	NA
o-xylene	<1	0.7-6.05	NA
1,3-dichlorobenzene	ND	ND-4.94	NA

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990.

*Water samples are measured in mg/L or mcg/L.
**Soil samples are measured in mg/kg or mcg/kg.

mcg/L - micrograms per liter
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
mcg/kg - micrograms per kilogram

ND - not detected
NA - not analyzed
< - detected but less than contract laboratory reporting limit

Table 2. On-Site Soil Sampling Data and Health Comparison Values.
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(All values in milligrams per kilogram, mg/kg)

Compound	Shallow Soils (0-2 feet)			Deep Soils (>2 feet)			Background Samples		Typical Background Range**	Comparison| Values	Source****
	Range	Geometric Mean	Frequencyb	Range	Geometric Mean	Frequency	Range	Frequency
Volatile Organic Chemicals
cis-1,2-dichloroethene	ND-0.022	<5.0	2/28	ND-0.110	<5	9/90	ND	0/3	ND	2	NYS RfG
methylene chloride	ND-0.022	<5.0	2/27	ND-0.015	<5.0	1/90	ND	0/3	ND	0.07	NYS CREG
1,1,1-trichloroethane	ND-0.048	0.079	9/27	ND-0.048	<5.0	12/90	ND	0/3	ND	76.0	NYS RfG
*trichloroethene	ND-0.253	~10.0	12/28	ND-0.253	~10.0	34/90	ND	0/3	ND	0.200	NYS CREG
trichlorofluoromethane	0.016-0.029		2/2	ND-0.029	<5.0	2/73	ND	0/3	ND	264.0	NYS RfG
vinyl chloride	ND	ND	0/2	ND	ND	0/90	ND	0/3	ND	0.003	NYS CREG
Semi-Volatiles, Base Neutrals, PCBs
*Aroclor 1248	ND-11	0.76	5/7	ND-31.5	62.04	6/71	ND	0/3	0.010-0.40a	0.03a	NYS CREG
*Aroclor 1254	ND-1	0.20	1/7	ND-0.31	95.98	2/70	ND	0/3	0.010-0.40a	0.03a	NYS CREG
*benzo(a)anthracene	ND-43	0.89	5/6	ND-2.8	193.74	5/70	ND-0.14	***	***	NA
*benzo(a)pyrene	ND-33	0.93	4/6	ND-1.7	193.26	1/69	ND-0.13	1/3	<1.0-1.3	0.005	NYS CREG
*benzo(g,h,i)perylene	ND-17	0.75	3/6	ND-0.685	190.73	1/69	ND-0.06	1/3	***	NA
*chrysene	ND-32	0.78	5/6	ND-2.15	200.8	7/71	ND-0.12	0/3	***	NA
*dibenzo(a,h)anthracene	ND-5.2	0.39	3/6	ND-0.36	188.96	1/69	ND	0/3	***	NA
*dibenzofuran	ND-4.9	0.42	3/6	ND-0.58	190.27	1/69	ND	0/3	ND	NA
*2-methylnaphthalene	ND-3.0	0.24	5/6	ND-1.55	197.17	3/70	ND	0/3	ND	NA
*naphthalene	ND-7.6	0.41	4/6	ND-1.2	192.29	3/70	ND	0/3	ND	1.43	NYS RfG
*indeno-1,2,3-pyrene	ND-16.0	0.76	3/6	ND-0.69	109.75	1/69	ND-0.053	0/3	***	NA
pentachlorophenol	ND-0.054	-	2/4	ND-0.066	-	1/68	ND	0/3	ND	630.0	NYS RfG
phenanthrene	ND	-	0/4	ND	-	0/68	ND-0.120	1/3	***	NA
Inorganics
*arsenic	5.4-247	17.39	7/7	ND-32.4	5.82	70/71	4.0-7.4	3/3	10-20	15	EPA RfD
*cadmium	ND-78.9	5.75	5/7	ND-3,390	2.52	29/71	ND	0/3	<0.5-1	10	NYS EMEG
*chromium	10.6-1,220	85.66	7/7	12.5-13,000	53.83	71/71	18-42	3/3	10-40	250	EPA RfD
lead	14.1-292	41.7	7/7	3.6-161.5	14.78	71/71	12.9-33.4	3/3	10-300	NA
*nickel	ND-224	41.8	6/7	16.9-516	36.09	71/71	16-30.6	3/3	<5-20	1,000	ATSDR EMEG
*thallium	ND-16.7	0.43	1/7				ND	0/3	3000-50,000	4.0	EPA RfD
cyanide	ND-10.7	1.4	5/7	ND-167	0.75	27/71	ND	0/3	NA	1,000	EPA RfD

Table 2. On-Site Soil Sampling Data and Health Comparison Values (page 2).
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(All values in milligrams per kilogram, mg/kg)

*Contaminant for further evaluation in soil.
**References - Adriano (1986); Clarke et al. (1985); Connor et al. (1957); Davis and Bennett (1983) ; Frank et al. (1976); McGovern (1988); Shacklette and Boerngen (1984)
***Reported background levels for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of <1-13 milligrams per kilogram in soil (Edwards, 1983).
****NYS CREG = New York State Cancer Risk Evaluation Guideline
NYS RfG = New York State Risk Reference Guideline
NYS EMEG = New York State Environmental Media Evaluation Guide
ATSDR EMEG = ATSDR Environmental Medical Evaluation Guide
EPA RfD = EPA Risk Reference Dose

ND - not detected NA - not available mcg/kg - micrograms per kilogram mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram - can not be computed

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990. aTotal PCBs bFrequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant out of the total number of samples analyzed.

Table 3. On-Site Groundwater Sampling Data and Public Health Assessment Comparison Values for Contaminants Found in Sources of Drinking Water.
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(All values in micrograms per liter, mcg/L)

Table 4. On-Site Sediment Sampling Data and Health Comparison Values (page 1 of 2).
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(See Table 4A for Comparison Values, all values in milligrams per kilogram)

Table 4. On-Site Sediment Sampling Data and Health Comparison Values (page 2).
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(See Table 4A for Comparison Values, all values in milligrams per kilogram)

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990.

*Contaminant selected for further evaluation in sediment.
mcg/kg - micrograms per kilogram
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
ND - not detected
NA - not available
NR - not reported
- can not be computed

¹Frequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant (a) out of the total number of samples analyzed (a/b).

Table 4A.
Public Health Assessment Comparison Values for Contaminants in Sediment at and Near the Facet Enterprises Site,
Elmira, Chemung County, New York [All values in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)]

Table 5. On-Site Surface Water Sampling Data.
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(See Table 3 for Comparison Values, all values in micrograms per liter)

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990.

*Contaminant selected for further evaluation in surface water.
ND - not detected
NR - not reported
- can not be computed

¹Frequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant (a) out of the total number of samples analyzed (a/b).

Table 6. Off-Site Groundwater Quality.
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(See Table 3 for Comparison Values, all values in micrograms per liter)

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990.

*Contaminant selected for further evaluation in groundwater.
ND - not detected
- can not be computed

**Frequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant out of the total number of samples analyzed.

Table 7. Sediment Off-Site.
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(See Table 4A for Comparison Values, all values in milligrams per kilogram)

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990.

*Contaminant selected for further evaluation in sediment.
ND - not detected
- can not be computed

**Frequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant out of the total number of samples analyzed.

Table 8. Off-Site Surface Water Sampling Data.
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(See Table 3 for Comparison Values, all values in micrograms per liter)  

Source: ERM (1990a), Remedial Investigation Report; November 1990.

*Contaminant selected for further evaluation in surface water.
ND - not detected
- can not be computed

**Frequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant out of the total number of samples analyzed.

Table 9. Sullivan Street Wellfield Data
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York
(see Table 3 for standards)

Chemical	Range of Contaminants (micrograms per liter)	Frequency
trans-1,2-dichloroethene	ND-1.0	4/6
1,1,1-trichloroethane	ND-2.1	8/14
*trichloroethene	5.0-10.3	14/14

Source: New York State Department of Health, Facet Enterprises, Inc. Site Files (808001); 1981-1992.
*Contaminant selected for further evaluation.
**Frequency represents the number of samples found to have the contaminant out of the total number of samples analyzed.

Table 10. Completed Exposure Pathway
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York

Table 11. Potential Exposure Pathways
Facet Enterprises Site, Elmira, Chemung County, New York

This summary responds to the public's comments on the draft Public Health Assessment for the Facet Enterprises site. The public comment period ran from June 18, 1993 to July 23, 1993. Some comments were consolidated or grouped together to incorporate similar concerns raised by more than one person. If you have any questions about this summary, contact the NYS DOH's Health Liaison Program at the toll-free number 1-800-458-1158, extension 402.

Comment #1

In the summary and other parts of the assessment, it is implied that the Facet Enterprises site has contributed to the contamination of the Sullivan Street wells. There is insufficient data to conclude that the Facet site has contaminated the Sullivan Street wells.

Response #1

These sections of the report have been revised to indicate other possible sources of groundwater contamination in the affected area.

Comment #2

Several factual errors in the report were pointed out by citizens familiar with past activities at the site. In addition, factual errors and corrections were also received from the Purolator Products Company. Examples of such errors include proper identification of company names, dates, current conditions, manufacturing activities, quantities, and measurements.

Response #2

Corrections were made which added accuracy and correctness to the report.

Comment #3

Hold Bendix/Facet accountable to the people exposed to their hazards.

Response #3

Facet Enterprises, Inc. is remediating contamination from past activities at the site and has paid for the remedial investigation and removal of hazardous waste from this site.

Comment #4

The discussions of long term health effects from exposure to the groundwater imply that this site is a source of the contamination. While there may be a concern over the effects of long term exposure to volatile organic compounds, the problem is regional and the Facet site should not be considered as the sole source. The risk Assessment for this site, prepared by the US EPA in June, 1991, did not identify a potential risk due to groundwater contamination under existing site conditions.

Response #4

As discussed in NYS DOH's response to comment #1, the health assessment has been revised to indicate other possible sources of groundwater contamination in the area. The purpose of the health assessment is to evaluate known and possible human exposures to contaminants in environmental media, whether these exposures occurred in the past, are occurring in the present or are likely to occur in the future. The risk assessment that is completed as part of the remedial investigation and feasibility study process generally only evaluates known and possible human exposures associated with baseline (i.e., current) site conditions.

Comment #5

I'm definitely concerned about the present and future effects. You mention non-cancer health effects, what about the cancer health effect?

Response #5

Discussions of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects associated with past and potential exposures to site contaminants are discussed in the Public Health Implications section of the document (Subsection A, Toxicological Evaluation).

Comment #6

I would like to be informed about the results of your further testing and how and when you will be testing in my area.

Response #6

A specific time frame and plan to sample residential soils and evaluate soil gas and groundwater seepage in potentially affected residences has not been developed yet. As discussed in the Public Health Actions section of this public health assessment, the NYS DOH will coordinate collection of surface soils from residential properties south of the site as well as further investigation of possible contaminant migration into basements adjacent to the site. Selection of the homes to sampled as part of these investigations has not been completed. Any residents whose homes will be used for these evaluations will be contacted prior to any sampling.

Comment #7

As a child living next to the creek along West 16th Street, we often played near the contaminated water - no warnings were given. We always had a swimming pool and each morning our water would be covered with black soot. From 1955 to 1975 I was exposed to various contaminants in many ways from the Bendix/Facet factory.

Response #7

As discussed in the Exposure Pathways Analysis section and the Public Health Implications section (Subsection A, Toxicological Implications) of the public health assessment, completed and potential exposure pathways to site contaminants were evaluated for the past, present and future. The public health significance of past exposures to contaminants originating at the site can not be fully evaluated for all past exposure scenarios as there are limited sampling data prior to the 1986 remedial investigation.

Comment #8

Airborne particles have not been dealt with in your report. Our home is between Area 3 and Area 9 on Robinwood Avenue. Air quality is of concern to me. Black particles on the house proves to me something is floating around in the air. Is it possible it is from the ash disposal area - Area 9?

Response #8

The contaminant of concern in surface soils at inactive waste disposal areas such as Area 9 at the Facet site are VOCs, specifically trichloroethene. Emissions of such compounds evaporate rapidly from surface soils, over an extended period of time. Since these waste disposal areas have not been used since 1971 and have been covered and graded, it is unlikely that these surface soils are contributing to volatile or particulate emissions from the site. Possible sources of the black particles referred to in your correspondence are more likely to be from the diesel engine used in present manufacturing operations at the site, boiler emissions or emissions from other nearby industrial facilities. As discussed in the recommendations, particulate emissions from the site will be addressed as part of site remediation activities.

Comment #9

The discussion of the groundwater exposure pathway should clarify the fact that the 30 years of potential exposure occurred while the well was producing water that was within the drinking water standards at that time.

Response #9

The discussion of the groundwater exposure pathway includes a reference to those years during which the wellfield was operating and contaminant levels were within acceptable drinking water standards (1986-1989).

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Contact CDC: 800-232-4636 / TTY: 888-232-6348 

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