PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
FADROWSKI DRUM DISPOSAL
FRANKLIN, MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WISCONSIN
The privately owned Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site is located on approximately 20 acres in the City of Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. The site was operated as a landfill for construction debris and fill dirt from 1970 to 1982. In 1983, drums uncovered on the property were found to contain lead, chromium, DDT, and petroleum distillates. One drum exploded when heavy construction equipment hit it. Because of the explosive hazard and possible contamination of groundwater, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposed the site for inclusion on the National Priorities List in 1984. The Wisconsin Division of Health (DOH) published a preliminary health assessment for this site in June 1989.
The area of the site is experiencing rapid urbanization and commercialization. The City of Oak Creek is across 27th Street east of the site, and 36,000 people live within three miles of the site. The closest private residential well is within 300 feet of the site, and nine others are within 4,000 feet of the site. Prior to the 1993-94 remedial action, people were concerned about the quality of their private drinking water supply, and about the health of children who play on the property and swim in the site pond.
In the past, people could have been be exposed through ingestion or skin contact to low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), considered to be probable human carcinogens, in surface soil and sediments on the site. Repeated contact, however, to these levels are expected to show no apparent increased risk of getting cancer.
A 1986, a DOH cancer investigation was conducted in response to citizen concern about environmental contamination from other hazardous sites in the area. The investigation showed no increase in cancer rates for the City of Franklin, nor was there an increased rate of site-specific cancers that might be related to radium or landfill wastes. Since the study included the entire City of Franklin, the results are relevant to this site as well. The DOH continues to address public health concerns through ongoing educational activities.
During the development and finalization of this health assessment, the site's public health threat has been reduced from the status of a public health hazard to no apparent public health hazard. Remedial actions have eliminated current exposures, physical hazards, and the likelihood of future exposures. Past exposures to site contaminants pose no apparent public health hazard because the exposures were not at levels which would be expected to cause adverse health effects.
The DOH in cooperation with ATSDR will reevaluate the site if new information shows the public is exposed to contaminants at levels of concern. At that time, the DOH would solicit public health concerns through the Franklin City Health Department and provide continuing education as information was available. DOH will offer opportunities to practicing primary care physicians in the Franklin area when this public health assessment is released. Additional health studies are not necessary at this time since there is no evidence of exposure that would result in environmentally related illness.
The Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site occupies approximately 20 acres at 6865 South 27th Street in
the City of Franklin, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (see Appendix A, Figure one). From 1970
until 1982 the site was operated as an unregulated, unlicensed landfill, accepting construction debris
and fill dirt. Sludge 
, rubbish, and containerized liquids were illegally discarded at the site (1, p. 2-2). In 1981, a citizen informed the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that barrels
of hazardous wastes were buried on the site. The DNR performed an inspection but failed to find
evidence of such waste. DNR records indicated leachate seeps on the site between 1981 and 1984
(2, p. 1). In 1983, the property was sold to the Menard Corporation. While excavating for fill dirt
in the field north of the dump area, barrels of hazardous wastes were exposed (4, p. 1). One of the
barrels exploded when heavy construction equipment hit it, spilling liquids onto soil (5, p. 1). The
DNR tested the contents of the drums, after which the contractors reburied the drums under at least
two feet of clay (15. p 5). In 1988, investigators uncovered other leaking, corroded and crushed
drums (1, p. 5-5).
The site currently is not being used for any purpose. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the site for placement on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1984, and placed it
on the list in 1986 (1, table 1). When the EPA places a site on this list, the site qualifies for clean-up
under the federal "Superfund" program (10).
The Wisconsin Division of Health (DOH) in cooperation with the ATSDR completed a preliminary health assessment of the site in June 1989. That report was based on data that were available prior to the remedial investigation required by the Superfund program. Warzyn Engineering Incorporated, conducted a remedial investigation of the site in 1988 and 1989 for Acme Printing Ink Company, a potentially responsible party. The EPA selected a plan for clean up of the site in June 1991 that included locating buried drums, removing drums and associated characteristically hazardous wastes, off-site recycling or treatment and disposal of drummed wastes, treating and disposing of contaminated soil, constructing a leachate collection trench (16, p.33), long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water, constructing an approved cap over the disposal area, fencing the site, and implementing deed restrictions (16, p. 2).
Site remediation is ongoing. As of March 1994, the site has been fenced, physical hazards removed, the on-site pond has been drained and backfilled, and buried drums and associated contamination have been excavated and contained. Removal from the site of approximately 170 drums is scheduled to begin prior to the summer of 1994. During the 1994 construction season, construction debris will be consolidated into a single disposal area and capped, and the leachate collection trench will be constructed.
Glaciers created this area of gently sloping moraines (1, p. 3-1). Two aquifers reside beneath the site; a bedrock aquifer flowing east toward Lake Michigan and a shallow aquifer, whose water table is three to ten feet below the surface of the site, flowing very slowly through clay soils downward and toward the west (2, p. 1; 1, p. 7-3). The downward movement is stronger than the westward movement within the clay layer (13, p. 1).
Soil at the site is a silty, clay till (Ozaukee-Morley-Mequon). Well drillers refer to the soil as red or blue clay. The red clay layer is near the surface with blue clay extending down approximately 80 feet. An undifferentiated sand, gravel, silt, and clay layer lies between the blue clay and Ordovician dolomite bedrock. Dolomite is approximately 175 feet below the surface (1, pp. 3-2, 5-7). Most residential and municipal wells are screened in the bedrock aquifer; none are screened in clay.
A site visit was made on August 18, 1988, by staff of the DOH and DNR. At that time there was considerable surface erosion of the site, both on the northern edge of the mounded landfill and in the field between the landfill area and the north boundary. Runoff was generally westward. Some of the erosion channels were 2-3 feet deep. During the site visit evidence was found of recent dumping of an unidentified sludge on the surface of the mounded landfill area. Cattails and other vegetation near to and west of the pond appeared to be stressed (9, p. 2).
The Fadrowski disposal area, where dumping occurred, was mounded. A relatively flat field was east and north of the mound within the property boundaries. The mound was steeply sloped toward a pond that resulted from digging operations on the west side of the property. The pond was a discharge area for the upper aquifer (1, p. 5-13). A creek flows from north to south at the far west end of the property. It eventually empties into the Root River about 2 miles southeast of the site (3, p. 6). Overflow from the pond contributed to a wet, low-lying field that eventually drains into the creek. A storm sewer/ditch was situated in the north field, running from east to west; the outfall being 300 feet east of the creek. Rainwater runoff from 27th Street and a retail store parking lot emptied into the storm sewer (see figure 2).
Representatives from the DOH, DNR, and EPA visited the Fadrowski site in July 1989. The property was covered with gravelly soil and tall weeds. Soil was heavily eroded in places. The condition of the site had not changed since the 1988 visit. There was no evidence that children play on the site. The property is accessible from all sides, but access was easiest from a parking lot to the north.
Representatives from DOH and DNR visited the site on January 23, 1991 and observed snowmobile tracks north of the fill area running from the north boundary down to the creek. Metal scraps, pieces of concrete, and asphalt debris were protruding from the fill area. A 55-gallon drum, which appeared to be empty, was lying on its side in the fill area. South of the site property, active landfilling of construction debris was taking place.
DOH staff visited the site on August 7, 1992. There were "no trespassing" signs posted at the north edge of the property. Survey markers were placed on the site. Piles of construction debris in parts of the disposal area looked like they were recently-dumped. Metal, concrete, and other construction materials littered the disposal area, creating physical hazards. Food wrappers and other trash around the pond indicated that people have trespassed on the property and perhaps used the pond for recreational activities. Staff observed no evidence of remedial action on the property.
On August 31, 1993, DOH staff attended a meeting with the community members and site contractors who discussed the remedial action. Following the meeting, people visited the site and discussed logistics of the cleanup. One person expressed concern about air monitoring during the cleanup and was told monitoring would be done. DOH staff contacted the EPA in November 1993 and again in March 1994. Remedial actions are underway as described previously.
Demographics, Land Use, and Natural Resources Use
The Fadrowski Site, located in a mixed residential and commercial suburb of Milwaukee, is experiencing considerable growth. Rawson Avenue, one-quarter mile south, is a developed residential and commercial area. A subdivision of more than 100 homes is approximately one-half mile southwest of the site property. Two schools are within a mile south of the site: the closest being St. James school, 2,000 feet away. There are approximately fifty homes within 1,500 feet of the site. The closest home is within 100 feet of the property.
The population within 3 miles of the site is 32,000 (6, 1). A few children played and swam on the site. At one time, a play fort was set up on the south side of the Fadrowski site (1, p. 8-13). Approximately 18,000 people within a three-mile radius of the site depend on groundwater for drinking water. The other 14,000 are tied into municipal water systems that use water from Lake Michigan (6, p. 1). It is reasonable to expect continued residential development in the area of the site and expanded municipal water service.
Death certificates listing the cause of death, census information, and the relatively new Cancer Reporting System may be helpful in future surveillance activities. The Cancer Reporting System provides information about newly diagnosed cases of cancer and is accessed by zip code. Data is available since 1980.
People living west of the site, beyond the creek, expressed concerns about the continued quality of their private well water. The EPA tested one private residential wells to the west of the site at the request of the owner. Residential wells west of the site are drilled into the bedrock aquifer that flows toward the east. No contamination was found in wells at the west end of the site and additional testing of residential wells west of the site is not needed. One person who swam with his children in the site pond was concerned about long-term health effects resulting from possible exposure to contamination. Citizens expressed concern about long-term health effects that could result from past exposures to contamination at the site. People living near the site have complained of paint and solvent odors (8, p. 8).
In October, 1986 the Franklin City Health Department requested assistance in investigating a possible cancer cluster in a subdivision called Security Acres. The community was concerned that a higher than normal rate of cancer was caused by radium in drinking water and other contaminants from nearby landfills. The results of that investigation are discussed in the "Health Outcome Data Evaluation" section of this report (12).
No additional community health concerns were expressed during an August 31, 1993 meeting with some members of the community. As of March 1994, no new community health concerns have been reported to the DOH, EPA, or local health officials.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND OTHER HAZARDS
This section of the public health assessment describes environmental sampling previously conducted at the site and identifies contaminants of concern found in specific environmental media. The selected contaminants are evaluated in subsequent sections of the health assessment to determine whether exposure to them has public health significance.
DOH selects contaminants for further evaluation based upon the following factors:
It is emphasized that identification of a contaminant of concern in this section does not mean that exposure to it will cause adverse health effects. As mentioned above, the potential for adverse health effects resulting from exposure to contaminants of concern will be evaluated in subsequent sections of the health assessment.
Comparison values for health assessment are contaminant concentrations in specific media (soil, water, and air). When a chemical exceeds a comparison value the health assessor will focus his/her attention on that chemical as being more likely to cause health effects. The data tables may include the following acronyms:
EMEGs are media-specific screening values developed by ATSDR for use in selecting environmental contaminants of potential health concern. EMEGs are based on non-carcinogenic health endpoints and do not consider potential carcinogenic effects. RMEGs are developed like EMEGs but are based on EPA's reference dose when ATSDR does not have a MRL (Minimal Risk Level). CREGs are estimated comparison concentrations for specific chemicals based on one excess cancer in a million persons exposed over a lifetime. CREGs are calculated from EPA's cancer slope factors. MCLs represent contaminant concentrations that EPA deems protective of public health (considering the availability and economics of water treatment technology) over a lifetime (70 years) at an exposure rate of 2 liters water per day. MCLs are regulatory concentrations, while the other comparison values are not.
The DNR tested the contents of drums uncovered in 1983 and found high levels of metals, DDT, and petroleum distillates (Table 1). Electromagnetic surveys detected buried metal objects in the field north and east of the dump area and within the site property boundaries (see figure 3). Some of the areas may contain metal debris other than drums of waste. Twelve drums were uncovered in locations identified by the electromagnetic survey (1, fig 6 & 10). Their contents were not sampled, but soil around the drums was. Their leaking and corroded condition was noted, and the drums were covered over (1, p. 5-7).
Table 1. Chemicals of Concern in Drum Wastes (July 1983)
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petroleum distillates in all samples - no levels reported
ppm = parts per million
Source: 11, p.2
The remedial investigation sampled construction waste, sub-soil, surface soil, sediments around the property and at the pond, surface water in the pond and creek, air quality, and groundwater on and around the site (Tables 2 & 3). Elevated levels of metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found in subsurface soils (1, table 6-3). The drums uncovered in 1981 were not sampled for PAHs.
Nine test pits were dug in the disposal area and the contents were described as construction debris including bricks, metal scrap, metal pipe, concrete, asphalt, wood, tar paper and brush (1, p. 5-5). Eight samples revealed levels of carcinogenic PAHs which would be of health concern if people were exposed to disturbed subsurface-soil.
Groundwater and surface water were tested for VOCs, metals, PAHs and pesticides. One sample of groundwater, in the shallow clay aquifer, showed mercury at a level that slightly exceeded the Wisconsin Groundwater Enforcement Standard of 2.0 micrograms per liter (µg/l). Later testing indicated no mercury (13, p.2). No residents in the areas obtain their drinking water from the shallow clay aquifer.
Table 2. Chemicals of Concern in Water (µg/l)
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(one sample)
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(one sample)
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NA = Not Available
µg/l = micrograms per liter
Source: 1, Appendix D, Table 6-6, Appendix I
1 = EPA Action Level
2 = MCL
3 = CREG
Table 3. Chemicals of Concern in Soils and Sediments (mg/kg)
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Comparison value |
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10,0004
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NA = Not Available
J = estimated
mg/kg = milligrams per kilogram
Source: 1, Appendix D
1 = see Table 4
2 = RMEG-child, Cr VI
3 = CREG
4 = RMEG-child
Surface soils on the steep slope from the west side of the dump area have elevated levels of lead, PAHs and toluene. Only two surface soil samples near the waste disposal area were taken. As such, it is difficult to generalize about the condition of surface soil elsewhere on the site. The pond sediments were not significantly affected by the disposal area. Twenty-five soil borings were done, with twenty-eight samples taken at depths from 2 to 15 feet (1, p. 5-6). PAHs were present and are described in Table #4. Metals were above background in many samples but not at levels of health concern.
Both surface water and sediments of the stream show increases in some metals downstream from the site, but not at levels of health concern. The contractor for the remedial investigation monitored air quality over freshly exposed fill material and found values less than or equal to 10 parts per million for volatile organic compounds (1, p. 8-13).
Table 4. Ranges of Individual Carcinogenic PAH Contamination (µg/kg)
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1,100-1,500
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(carcinogenic) |
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(noncarc.) |
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NA = Not Available
ND = not detected
µg/kg = micrograms per kilogram
1 = IARC
2 = CREG
Source: 1, Appendix D, Table 6-3, Table 8-1
Contaminated soil particles appear to have washed from the disposal area into the wetlands and the stream southwest of the property. The off-site area of highest contamination to the south has recently been covered with many feet of fill soil and is no longer accessible to the public. Four residential wells located in the deep aquifer to the east were sampled in April 1991 and are not affected by site contaminants (14, p. 3). Monitoring wells at the east and west end of the property contain only low levels of substances associated with construction debris (15, Appendix A). For that reason, off-site monitoring wells are not necessary at this time.
A review of the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory showed no releases for the Fadrowski site, nor were there other releases reported within one mile of the Superfund site (17).
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
In preparing this document the DOH assumes that adequate quality assurance and quality control measures were followed during chain of custody activities, laboratory procedures, and data reporting during the remedial investigation. The ability to make valid conclusions and recommendation is dependant, to some extent, on the amount and quality of data provided by the agencies and engineering firms involved. The remedial investigation followed a quality assurance project plan approved by the EPA.
The site is now fenced and site hazards are being eliminated. Steep incline have been graded. The pond has been drained and filled. Buried drums have been safely removed and packed for off-site disposal.
In general, people may be exposed to chemicals in a number of ways. The pathways analysis looks at five elements in two broad categories Environmental Pathways - the source of the chemicals, where they are found (soil, water, air), the ways the chemicals may move from the site; and Human Exposure Pathways - ways by which people could be exposed to the chemicals (touch, ingestion, inhalation), and the groups of people that might be exposed.
Exposure pathways are referred to as completed, potential, or eliminated. A completed pathway is one where there is a clear indication that people were exposed to chemicals from the site and when there is sufficient information to evaluate that exposure. All five of the elements must exist for a completed pathway to exist. This includes exposures that occurred in the past and exposures that are currently happening.
A potential pathway exists when there is insufficient information to link a chemical to a known level of exposure among an identified population. A potential pathway may refer to a past, present, or future exposure. An exposure pathway can be eliminated if one of the five elements is missing and will never be present.
Groundwater: Because most contaminants are buried in permeable fill, contaminants can seep readily into groundwater. However, the flow of groundwater through the clay underlying the waste is very slow (roughly 10-6 centimeters per second), and this clay has kept contamination from getting into the deeper bedrock aquifer (1, p. 4-6). The water table of the shallow clay aquifer slopes west to the pond and wetlands. Water that infiltrates contaminated fill and leaking barrels may discharge to the pond, wetlands, and stream on the western side of the site. DNR investigators observed discolored seeps in the slope east of the pond. Because there are moderate downward gradients in the shallow aquifer, groundwater could eventually carry contaminants to the underlying dolomite aquifer. Metals in the waste will tend to adsorb to the clay particles, as will the less soluble organic compounds making migration to the bedrock aquifer less likely. If more soluble contaminants are present in the buried drums in sufficient quantity, these compounds could reach underlying aquifers.
There is no confirmed indication of groundwater contamination away from the source (1, p. 7-3). One private residential well within 300 feet of the disposal area and nine other private wells within 4,000 feet have been tested (see figure 4). All but one of the private wells sampled are screened into the dolomite aquifer. The one exception is a well cased into sand and gravel 150 feet below ground surface (1, appendix I-2).
Surface Water and Sediments: The remedial action will control possible surface water runoff that could have picked up contaminated surface soil or carried leachate. Leachate will be directed, as a result of the remedial action, to a trench system. If leachate samples are within discharge limits, the liquid will be released to the municipal sewerage system.
Soil: The current remedial action will include a landfill cap to cover soil contaminated with PAHs. Drums have been removed and so the threat of additional soil and groundwater contamination from their contents.
Air: Air is not expected to carry significant amounts of contaminants from the site under present conditions. Surface soil contained very low levels of toluene (estimated at 140 µg/kg) (1, Appendix D). That soil will be covered with a landfill cap in the summer of 1994. Other contaminants identified in the surface soil are not volatile. Because the site will be re-vegetated after the remedial action, wind will blow relatively little dust from the soil. Air monitoring will be conducted during the remedial action.
There are approximately 50 residences within 1,500 feet south and east of the property. Residents of those households are the population most likely to trespass or use the site for recreational activities. The site is now off-limits to children who might play on the site. Workers who are currently engaged in remediation activities are the persons most likely to be exposed to site contamination. There is a school and subdivision approximately one-quarter mile away. From comments at meetings, as many as 10 children were reported to have played frequently at the site (several times in one summer).
Ingestion: People who swam in the pond may have ingested low levels of contamination contained in the surface water or suspended from sediments. As noted previously, no contamination has been found at levels of health concern in surface water. Contaminated soil could have been ingested through normal hand to mouth activities.
Dermal Contact: Dermal contact to chemical contamination in soil or surface water is no longer expected since the site is fenced and will be capped soon. In the past, people trespassed on the property and could have been exposed to contaminated soil or leachate as they touched soil particles. Children are reported to have played in soil and rode dirt bikes across the field. Workers involved in the remediation of the site could be exposed to contaminants as wastes are moved, covered, or in other ways contacted. PAHs absorb through skin, adding to the dose received through inhalation and incidental ingestion of contaminated soil particles. DOH staff were assured that site workers will be adequately protected during remedial activities.
Inhalation: People who live near the site could inhale contaminated dust particles as the soil is disturbed during remedial activities. Site contractors will monitor air quality throughout the remedial activities.
The people who are currently most likely to receive the highest exposures to site chemicals are workers who are remediating the site. The following PAHs were found in many soil and sediment samples and could be absorbed through dermal contact, accidental ingestion, or inhalation of contaminated dust particles: benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and dibenz(a,h)anthracene (1, Appendix D, Table 6-3, Table 8-1). All of these compounds cause cancer in laboratory animals. The EPA considers the evidence sufficient to classify the chemicals as "probable human carcinogens." In the past, children who frequented the site 40 times per year for 8 years could have ingested carcinogenic PAHs at an average daily lifetime dose of 10-7 mg/kg/day (Appendix B). Children who frequented the site 40 days per year for 8 years might have absorbed PAHs through skin contact for a daily lifetime dose of 10-6 mg/kg/day (Appendix B). Because concentrations of PAHs in surface soils were relatively low, even if children played at the site frequently there would be no apparent increase in cancer risk from such exposure (maximum estimated additional lifetime cancer risk of 3 x 10-5. See Appendix B).
Lead, chromium, and toluene found in surface soil at levels that are not expected to result in adverse health effects. DDT, a persistent pesticide and carcinogen, was found earlier in barrel contents but not in samples of soil nor surface water.
The DOH expects to see no adverse health conditions from exposure to contaminants on the site. The risk of cancer increases with the number of contacts with soil and the amount of soil ingested. Children would be expected to ingest more soil than an adult through common hand-to-mouth activities; and children were the most likely people to play on the site regularly in the past. Workers who uncover high levels of contamination while digging on the site might receive doses of substances that would result in adverse health effects. The data are not sufficient to anticipate the type or severity of illness that could result from exposure to the buried contaminants. Surface soil could become contaminated as buried drums are removed from the site and their contents seep to the ground surface. Since carcinogenic chemicals were present in original samples of barrel contents, workers who touch contaminated soil could have an increased risk of cancer. The extent of that risk is difficult to determine based on the limited data that are currently available. Contractors assured DOH staff that workers will be adequately protected.
Health Outcome Data Evaluation
"Health outcome data" is a phrase referring to records of death and disease. When there is evidence that people near a site have been exposed to contaminants at levels that could lead to an increase in rates of death or disease, a review of health outcome data may be appropriate. A review also may be appropriate if there are reports of unusual clusters of diseases near a site. There is no evidence of significant public exposure to chemicals from the landfill.
In October, 1986, the Wisconsin Division of Health investigated a report of a cancer cluster that might be linked to radium or landfill contamination in drinking water at the Security Acres subdivision in Franklin. This request for an investigation was not related to this Superfund investigation; however, the results apply to the entire community and to landfill contaminants in general. The DOH conducted a disease-cluster investigation. An age-adjusted comparison was made to the nation, Wisconsin, and Milwaukee County for all cancer sites for three time periods: 1960-69, 1970-79, and 1980-85. The investigation concluded that there are no significantly high rates for individual cancer sites, nor rates of specific cancer with an environmental exposure etiology within the City of Franklin. The division recommended that the local health department monitor sentinel cancer deaths within the City of Franklin (12). If a significant route of human exposure were identified for the Fadrowski Drum Site, additional site-specific surveillance may be appropriate.
Community Health Concerns Evaluation
The following are responses to the community health concerns gathered as part of the public health assessment process:
Concern: People living west of the site, beyond the creek, expressed concerns about the quality of their private well water.
Response: The EPA tested one private residential wells to the west of the site at the owner's request. Residential wells west of the site are drilled into the bedrock aquifer that flows toward the east. No contamination was found in monitoring wells at the west end of the site and additional testing private wells farther west is not necessary at this time.
Concern: One person who swam with his children in the site pond was concerned about long-term health effects resulting from possible exposure to contamination.
Response: Past exposures to the low levels of contamination in the site pond water and sediments are expected to cause adverse health effects. The pond has been drained and filled with soil.
Concern: Citizens expressed concern about long-term health effects that could result from past exposures to contamination at the site.
Response: The likelihood of long-term adverse health effects depends on the number and duration of exposures, in addition to personal behavioral characteristics such as hand to mouth habits. Based on the data reviewed and using conservative assumptions about exposure doses, adverse health effects are not expected from past exposures to site contaminants.
Concern: People living near the site have complained of paint and solvent odors (8, p.8).
Response: The contractor for the remedial investigation monitored air quality over freshly exposed fill material and found values less than or equal to 10 parts per million for volatile organic compounds. One sample of groundwater showed mercury levels of 2.3 micrograms per liter (µg/L) which is above the Wisconsin Groundwater Enforcement Standard of 2 µg/l. Later testing indicated no mercury. As long as wastes are undisturbed, the levels of volatile organic compounds in air would not cause adverse health effects. Air monitoring is being conducted as part of the remedial action.
Concern: The residents in Security Acres subdivision were concerned that a higher than normal rate of cancer was caused by radium in drinking water and other contaminants from nearby landfills.
Response: The results of that investigation are discussed in the "Health Outcome Data Evaluation" section of this report (12). They show no increase in the number of cancers normally expected in the area.
During the development and finalization of this health assessment, the site's public health threat has been reduced from the status of a public health hazard to no apparent public health hazard. Remedial actions have eliminated current exposures, physical hazards, and the likelihood of future exposures. Past exposures to site contaminants pose no apparent public health hazard because the exposures were not at levels which would be likely to cause adverse health effects.
The people who most likely received the highest exposures to site chemicals included children who might have regularly played on the property; people who regularly swam in the pond; and workers who are performing the remedial action on the property. Low levels of carcinogenic PAHs were found in many soil and sediment samples and could have been absorbed through dermal contact, accidental ingestion, or inhalation of contaminated dust particles. Because concentrations of PAHs in surface soils are relatively low, even if children played at the site frequently there would be no apparent increase in cancer risk from such exposure. Levels of lead, chromium, and toluene found in surface soil are not expected to result in health effects. DDT was found earlier in barrel contents but not in samples of material that people could have been exposed to.
The threat of groundwater contamination has been eliminated through the removal of the buried drums and associated highly contaminated soil and waste. Low level contamination and construction wastes is being consolidated and capped. Leachate from this capped area will be captured by a leachate collection trench. There is no indication of current groundwater contamination away from the source, however, groundwater will be tested in monitoring wells and a nearby private well.
In October, 1986, the DOH conducted a disease-cluster investigation. The investigation concluded that the cancer rates within the City of Franklin for individual cancer sites were not significantly high. None of the cancers known to have environmental exposure etiology were significantly high.
Prior to remediation, community members expressed concern over the safety of their private well water, possible long-term health effects from past on-site activities, and a perceived higher than normal cancer rate in the community of Security Acres. These concerns are addressed in the Community Health Concerns Evaluation section.
The number of recommendations have been reduced since the public comment release of this health assessment due to the completed and ongoing remedial actions. Outstanding recommendations include:
Health Activities Recommendations
The DOH and ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel evaluated the data available at this site to decide if more action on health-related concerns is appropriate. Such action might include providing community health education or carrying out more detailed studies on cases of disease near a site (10). There is no need for more health studies at the Fadrowski site. People may have come in contact with contaminants at the site. It is unlikely, however, that the low level of exposure caused illnesses that could be documented now or in the future. The DOH and ATSDR will look again at the need for more health studies if high levels of contamination are released when the site is cleaned up or if new information shows that public exposure is greater than expected. The DOH will continue to provide health education as part of its regular activities at Superfund sites.
The recommendations provided in this health assessment relate to reduction of human exposure and performance of health studies. The following actions either have been or will be performed to meet the needs expressed by the recommendations of this health assessment.
The DOH in cooperation with ATSDR will:
The EPA through its 1991 Record of Decision calls for source control of groundwater contamination. Groundwater is the environmental pathway of most concern at this site. Worker protection is also addressed in the Record of Decision. The EPA is involved in oversight of remedial actions that have been or will be conducted:
Mary Young
Public Health Educator
Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Prevention
Kenneth Bro, Ph.D.
Environmental Engineer
Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Prevention
ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Louise Fabinski
Regional Services
Office of the Assistant Administrator
ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER
William J. Greim
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Remedial Programs Branch
This Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Wisconsin Division of 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
Figure 3. Possible Drum Locations from Electromagnetic Survey
Figure 4. Private Well Sampling Locations
APPENDIX B: HEALTH IMPLICATION ASSUMPTIONS
Lifetime Cancer Risk From Human Exposure to Carcinogenic PAHs in Landfill Surface Soil
ASSUMPTIONS
ESTIMATE
Average lifetime daily dose of carcinogenic PAHs ingested
PAHs Soil Conc. x Soil Consumed x Consumption Frequency
= Average Lifetime
Body Weight
(6 mg PAHs/kg soil) x 100 mg soil x 10-6 kg/mg x 40 days/year
x 8 years
= 70 kg body weight
x 365 days/year x 70 years/lifetime
= 1 x 10-7 mg PAHs/kg body weight/day
Average daily lifetime dose of carcinogenic PAHs absorbed through skin
Soil PAHs x Soil Adherence x (Exposed Skin x Exposure Freq.) x Absorption
= Average Lifetime
Body Weight
(6 mg/kg) x (20 g/m2) x [(0.44m2 x20days)+(0.057m2
x20days)] x 8yrs x 0.5
= 70 kg body weight
x 365 days/year x 70 years/lifetime x 103 g/kg
= 2.7 x 10-6 mg PAHs/kg body weight/day
Upper level estimate of additional lifetime cancer risk
= Intake of Carcinogenic PAHs x Cancer Slope Factor (oral)
= 2.8 x 10-6 mg/kg/day x 12 (mg/kg/day)-1
= 3.4 x 10-5
APPENDIX C: PUBLIC COMMENT RESPONSES
A public comment draft public health assessment was mailed on May 29, 1992 to 41 people and two repositories on the Division mailing list for Fadrowski Drum Disposal Site. A media announcement was mailed to 18 newspaper, radio, and TV stations in the Milwaukee area. Twenty-eight primary care physicians were identified through physician licensing and sent informational letters about the health assessment. From that mailing only one set of comments were received and the comments were editorial in nature. The suggested changes were made. The public comment period lasted through June 30, 1992.
