PETITIONED PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
FRESH KILLS LANDFILL
STATEN ISLAND, RICHMOND COUNTY, NEW YORK
Appendices A was not available in electronic format for conversion to HTML at the time of preparation of this document. To obtain a hard copy of the document, please contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Attn: Chief, Program Evaluation, Records, and Information Services Branch E-56
1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Table 1. Summary of Exposure Pathways for the Fresh Kills Landfill
|
Pathway Name |
Exposure Pathway Elements |
Time of Exposure |
Comments |
||||
|
Source of Contamination |
Environmental Medium |
Point of Exposure |
Route of Exposure |
Exposed Population |
|||
|
COMPLETED PATHWAYS |
|||||||
| Air | Volatilization of contaminants from waste in the landfill; emissions from unloading barges and waste disposal; dusts generated from vehicles driving on the landfill; wind-blown dusts | Air | Ambient air | Inhalation |
Off-site residents, landfill employees, trespassers |
Past Current Future |
Emissions tests have confirmed that the Fresh Kills Landfill releases large quantities of contaminants to the air, as do many other sources in the vicinity of the landfill. A review o ambient air monitoring data collected over the last 10 years suggests that landfill-related contaminants pose no apparent public health hazard. The general air quality in the New York City metropolitan area, however, has periodically reached unhealthy levels, due to the combined emissions from automobiles, industrial sources, and other emissions sources, like the Fresh Kills Landfill. |
|
POTENTIAL PATHWAYS |
|||||||
| Groundwater | Leaching of contaminants from waste in landfill | Water Supply | Wells | Ingestion Inhalation Dermal |
Off-site residents | Past Current Future |
Groundwater on Staten Island has not been used for public supply since 1970; the are currently receives drinking water from reservoirs in the Catskills region of New York. Four none-potable wells within a mile of the landfill use groundwater for automobile washing, lawn irrigation, and filling the Great Kills Swim Club pool. The are all screened in the Cretaceous aquifer. The three closest of these were sampled during the remedial investigation for the Brookfield Avenue Landfill. Levels of contamination detected pose no apparent public health hazard. |
| Food Chain | Contamination of surface water and sediment by landfill leachate | Fish Shellfish |
Consumption of fish/shellfish caught in Richmond Creek, Main Creek, Fresh Kills, or Arthur Kill | Ingestion |
Recreational users | Past Present Future |
Recreational fishing and shellfishing might have previously occurred in these water ways, which are adjacent to the site. New York State has issued fish consumption advisories for all freshwaters in the state and for the Arthur Kill. IN 1998, the state erected signs prohibiting all fishing, shellfishing, crabbing in the vicinity of the Brookfield Avenue Landfill site. No biota sampling data are available to evaluate levels of contamination in biota in much of Richmond Creek and Main Creek. |
| Migration of Landfill Gas | Generation of methane by decomposition of wastes in landfill; volatilization of compounds in waste | Soil gas | Migration of landfill gas into basements of adjacent residences | Inhalation | Off-site residents | Past Current Future |
The landfill gas venting pipes and the landfill gas collection system remove large quantities of landfall gas that might have otherwise migrated offsite, and the gas venting trenches located around the perimeter of the landfill prevent landfill gas from migrating offsite. Further, NYCDOS operates a network of landfill gas monitoring devices to detect movements of landfill gas before they reach offsite locations. All of these measures make current and future exposures to landfill gas and risks of explosion highly unlikely. The extent of past exposures to landfill gases is not known. |
|
ELIMINATED PATHWAYS
|
|||||||
| On-site Surface water and sediment | Leaching of contaminants from waste in landfill | Surface water Sediment |
On-site drainage ditches and Fresh Kills | Ingestion Dermal contact |
None | None | No residents live on site, and fences and tree lines around the Fresh Kills Landfill make trespassing difficult. The limited access prevents frequent contact with on-site contamination. |
Table 2. Estimated Emission Rates for Selected Chemicals at
the Fresh Kills Landfill
|
Chemical |
Estimated Emission Rate |
|
|
grams/second* |
tons/year |
|
| Carbon dioxide |
39,600 |
1,370,00 |
| Methane |
21,800 |
756,000 |
| Ethane |
1.81 |
62.8 |
| Isopentane |
1.50 |
52.0 |
| n-Decane and p-Dichlorobenzene |
1.44 |
50.0 |
| Isobutane |
1.05 |
36.4 |
| Limonene |
0.882 |
30.6 |
| Toluene |
0.802 |
27.8 |
| Acetone |
0.710 |
24.6 |
| n-Propylbenzene |
0.680 |
23.6 |
| m,p-Xylene |
0.621 |
21.5 |
| Ethylbenzene |
0.594 |
20.6 |
| Propane |
0.585 |
20.3 |
| 1,2,3-Trimethylbenzene |
0.579 |
20.1 |
| n-Butane |
0.554 |
19.2 |
| 1,2,4-Trimethybenzene and t-Butylbenzene |
0.496 |
17.2 |
| n-Nonane |
0.481 |
16.7 |
| Hydrogen sulfide |
0.453 |
15.7 |
| Methlene choloride |
0.300 |
10.4 |
| a-Pinene and Benaldehyde |
0.295 |
10.2 |
Notes:
*Data taken from Table 2-3 of USEPA, 1995; emissions data in tons per year are
simple unit conversions.
Emissions data are reported for the 20 chemicals (or pairs of chemicals) with
the highest emission rates.
Emissions data are estimates based on a limited number of emissions measurements.
The data reported in the table, therefore, might be considerably higher or lower
than the actual emission rates.
Chemicals reported as pairs could not be distinguished by the sampling and analytical
methods used in the 1995 emissions study.
Table 3a. General Summary of NYSDEC's Particulate Monitoring
Efforts on Staten Island: 1990-1999
|
Refer to the notes at the end of the table for a description of selected field headers |
||||||
|
Chemical or Pollutant |
Number of Samples |
Number of Detections |
Highest Concentration |
Most Conservative Comparison Value |
Type of Comparison Value |
Number of Samples in which Chemical Was Detected at Levels Greater than the Comparison Value |
|
PM10 |
1,608 |
1,607 |
2,289 |
50 |
NAAQS |
81 |
|
PM10--Arsenic |
654 |
57 |
0.0119 |
0.0002 |
CREG |
57 |
|
PM10--Cadium |
652 |
1 |
0.00467 |
0.0005 |
AGC |
1 |
|
PM10--Chromium |
585 |
19 |
0.0367 |
0.00002 |
AGC |
19 |
|
PM10--Lead |
656 |
73 |
0.07 |
0.75 |
AGC |
0 |
|
PM10--Mercury |
653 |
286 |
0.001 |
0.2 |
EMEG-c |
0 |
|
PM10-Nickel |
647 |
479 |
0.2223 |
0.002 |
AGC |
479 |
|
PM10-Nitrate |
80 |
76 |
5.3 |
5,800 |
RBC-n |
0 |
|
PM10--Sulfate |
80 |
80 |
37.8 |
NA |
NA |
0 |
|
PM10--Vanadium |
648 |
356 |
0.0519 |
0.2 |
EMEG-a/AGC |
0 |
|
TSP |
1,816 |
1,816 |
648 |
75 |
NAAQS |
320 |
|
TSP--Arsenic |
1,741 |
475 |
0.0193 |
0.0002 |
CREG |
475 |
|
TSP--Barium |
21 |
21 |
0.0666 |
0.5 |
AGC |
0 |
|
TSP--Beryllium |
20 |
20 |
0.0013 |
0.004 |
CREG |
20 |
|
TSP--Cadmium |
1,745 |
129 |
0.0516 |
0.005 |
AGC |
129 |
|
TSP--Chromium |
1,258 |
183 |
0.0479 |
0.00002 |
AGC |
183 |
|
TSP--Cobalt |
21 |
21 |
0.0067 |
0.03 |
EMEG-I |
0 |
|
TSP--Copper |
21 |
21 |
0.208 |
0.48 |
AGC |
0 |
|
TSP--Iron |
21 |
21 |
1,481 |
2.4 |
AGC (iron salts) |
0 |
|
TSP--Lead |
1,741 |
665 |
0.31 |
0.75 |
AGC |
0 |
|
TSP--Manganese |
21 |
21 |
0.0326 |
0.04 |
EMEG-c |
0 |
|
TSP--Mercury |
1,732 |
1,113 |
0.0007 |
0.014 |
EMEG-c |
0 |
|
TSP--Molybdenum |
21 |
21 |
0.0269 |
12 |
AGC |
0 |
|
TSP--Nickel |
1,680 |
1,546 |
0.222 |
0.002 |
CREG/AGC |
1,546 |
|
TSP--Vanadium |
1,737 |
1,428 |
0.0955 |
0.2 |
EMEG-a/AGC |
0 |
|
TSP--Zinc |
21 |
21 |
0.119 |
50 |
AGC |
0 |
Notes:
Summary based on databases provided by NYSDEC.
From 1990 to the present, NYSDEC has measured both PM10 and TSP, as well as
concentrations of metals in both forms of particulate matter.
Appendix C defines all abbreations used in the field, "Type of Comparison
Value." An entry of "NA" indicates that the pollutant does not
have a health-based comparison value published by ATSDR or NYSDEC.
Table 3b. General Summary of NYSDEC's VOC Monitoring Efforts
on Staten Island: 1990-1999
|
Refer to the notes at the end of the table for a description of selected field headers |
||||||
|
Chemical or Pollutant |
Number of Samples |
Number of Detections |
Highest Concentration |
Most Conservative Comparison Value (ppb) |
Type of Comparison Value |
Number of Samples in which Chemical Was Detected at Levels Greater than the Comparison Value |
|
1,1,1--Trichloroethane |
2,239 |
1,674 |
3.71 |
180 |
AGC |
0 |
|
1,1,2--Trichloroethane |
2,457 |
62 |
1.73 |
0.01 |
CREG/AGC |
61 |
|
1,2--Dichloroethane |
2,317 |
470 |
0.94 |
0.01 |
CREG/AGC |
397 |
|
1,2--Dichloropropane |
771 |
0 |
ND |
0.03 |
AGC |
0 |
|
Benezene |
2,344 |
2,182 |
5.53 |
0.03 |
CREG |
2,090 |
|
Carbon Tetrachloride |
2,323 |
1,632 |
0.51 |
0.01 |
CREG/AGC |
1,581 |
|
Chlorobenzene |
2,398 |
670 |
0.83 |
4.3 |
AGC |
0 |
|
Chloroform |
2,376 |
742 |
2.1 |
0.008 |
CREG |
742 |
|
m-Dichlorobenzene |
2,334 |
753 |
1.08 |
3.3 |
RBC-n |
0 |
|
o-Dichlorobenzene |
2,452 |
203 |
0.52 |
33 |
AGC |
0 |
|
p-Dichlorobenzene |
2,385 |
595 |
0.99 |
100 |
EMEG-c |
0 |
|
Ethylbenzene |
2367 |
2,294 |
3.87 |
200 |
EMEG-I |
0 |
|
Methylene Chloride |
2,388 |
986 |
6.36 |
0.85 |
CREG |
144 |
|
Tetrachloroethylene |
2,300 |
1,778 |
65.23 |
0.17 |
AGC |
636 |
|
Toluene |
2,328 |
2,262 |
29.93 |
100 |
RfC |
0 |
|
Trichloroethylene |
2,357 |
1,391 |
2.6 |
0.08 |
AGC |
322 |
|
Vinyl Chloride |
1,817 |
41 |
0.42 |
0.01 |
AGC |
41 |
| m,p-Xylene |
2,373 |
2,308 |
13.2 |
68 |
AGC |
0 |
| o-Xylene |
2,367 |
2,269 |
2.38 |
100 |
EMEG-c |
0 |
Notes:
Summary based on databses provided by NYSDEC.
A highest concentration of "ND" (see 1,2-dichloropropane) indeicates
that the chemcial analyzed for, but never detected.
Appendix C defines all abbreviations used in the field, "Type of Comparison
Value." An entry of "NA" indicates that the pollutant does not
have a health-based comparison value published by ATSDER or NYSDEC.
Table 3c. General Summary of NYSDEC's Monitoring of Polar
Compounds on Staten Island: 1990-1999
|
Refer to the notes at the end of the table for a description of selected field headers |
||||||
|
Chemical or Pollutant |
Number of Samples |
Number of Detections |
Highest Concentration |
Most Conservative Comparison Value (ppb) |
Type of Comparison Value |
Number of Samples in which Chemical Was Detected at Levels Greater than the Comparison Value |
|
Acetaldehyde |
517 |
513 |
9.93 |
0.27 |
CREG |
476 |
|
Acetone |
517 |
505 |
10.837 |
5,800 |
AGC |
0 |
|
Acrolein |
517 |
248 |
1.021 |
0.009 |
EMEG-I/AGC |
195 |
|
Benzaldehyde |
517 |
494 |
0.877 |
370 |
RBC-n |
0 |
|
2-Butanone |
516 |
489 |
12.954 |
100 |
AGC |
0 |
|
n-Butyraldehyde |
517 |
496 |
0.47 |
NA |
NA |
0 |
|
Crontonaldehyde |
517 |
373 |
0.644 |
4.8 |
AGC |
0 |
|
Formaldehyde |
517 |
510 |
13.32 |
0.05 |
AGC |
503 |
|
Hexanal |
517 |
487 |
0.838 |
NA |
NA |
0 |
|
Methacrolein |
517 |
267 |
0.51 |
NA |
NA |
0 |
|
Propionaldehyde |
517 |
488 |
16.866 |
0.04 |
AGC |
478 |
| m-Tolualdehyde |
375 |
321 |
0.19 |
NA |
NA |
0 |
| Valeraldehyde |
517 |
500 |
0.629 |
117 |
AGC |
0 |
Notes:
Summary based on databases provided by NYSDEC.
NYSDEC only measured concentrations of polar compounds in 1995 and 1996.
Appendix C defines all abbreviations used in the field, "Type of Comparison
Value." An entry of "NA" indicates that the pollutant does not
have a health-based comparison value published by ATSDR or NYSDEC.
Table 4. Comparison of Data Collected in 1995 by the New York
City Department of Environmental Protection and New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation Ambient Air Monitoring Networks
|
Refer to the notes at the end of the table for explanations of the data presented. |
||
|
Chemical or Pollutant |
Percent of Samples in which Ambient
Air Concentrations Exceeded Health-Based Comparison Values
|
|
|
NYCDEP Network |
NYSDEC Network |
|
|
Ambient Air Monitoring Data for VOCs |
||
|
1,1,1--Trichloroethane |
0% |
0% |
|
1,1,2--Trichloroethane |
9% |
3% |
|
1,2--Dichloroethane |
23% |
23% |
|
Benezene |
98% |
85% |
|
Carbon Tetrachloride |
77% |
58% |
|
Chlorobenzene |
0% |
0% |
|
Chloroform |
12% |
29% |
|
m-Dichlorobenzene |
0% |
0% |
|
o-Dichlorobenzene |
0% |
0% |
|
p-Dichlorobenzene |
0% |
0% |
|
Ethylbenzene |
0% |
0% |
|
Methylene Chloride |
0% |
3% |
|
Tetrachloroethylene |
6% |
17% |
|
Toluene |
0% |
0% |
|
Trichloroethylene |
4% |
7% |
|
Vinyl Chloride |
0% |
5% |
| m,p-Xylene |
0% |
0% |
| o-Xylene |
0% |
0% |
|
Ambient Air Monitoring Data for Particulate Matter |
||
|
PM10 |
0% |
8% |
|
PM10--Arsenic |
13% |
6% |
|
PM10--Cadium |
32% |
0% |
|
PM10--Chromium |
12% |
9% |
|
PM10--Lead |
1% |
0% |
| PM10--Nickel |
41% |
82% |
| PM10--Vanadium |
0% |
0% |
Notes:
Comparisons are presented for only those pollutants or chemicals that both NYCDEP
and NYSDEC measured in their networks.
The results from all monitoring stations within the corresponding NYCDEP and
NYSDEC monitoring networks were aggregated to calculate the summary statistics
presented in this table. Though combining results from different monitoring
locations might dampen site-specific trends, this data analysis approach is
appropriate for comparing air quality measurements near the Fresh Kills Landfill
(i.e., NYSDEC's measurements) to those at locations further away from this source
(i.e., NYCDEP's measurements).
Tables 5 through 11 were not available in electronic format for conversion to HTML at the time of preparation of this document. To obtain a hard copy of the document, please contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Attn: Chief, Program Evaluation, Records, and Information Services Branch E-56
1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Appendices C and D were not available in electronic format for conversion to HTML at the time of preparation of this document. To obtain a hard copy of the document, please contact:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Attn: Chief, Program Evaluation, Records, and Information Services Branch E-56
1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333
