ATSDR - PHA - GEIGER (C&M OIL) SITE, RANTOWLES, CHARLESTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

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ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

GEIGER (C & M OIL) SITE
RANTOWLES, CHARLESTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

The Geiger site is classified as an indeterminate public health hazard because of insufficient surface soil data, fish sampling data, or groundwater data. The limited data do not indicate that humans are being exposed to contaminants that would have an adverse health impact. If additional data becomes available, this classification may change.

A future potential exposure pathway was identified for the Geiger site. The primary method of this potential exposure is through dermal contact with low levels of on-site contaminants, or inadvertent on-site soil ingestion. The future exposure to on-site soil is considered minimal as the area would have to be further developed for this possibility to become viable.

The public was concerned about the effects of drinking the water from their private wells. The private wells were tested and there were no contaminants found to exceed the comparison values. We do not believe drinking the water is a realistic concern due to the inherent odor, color, and taste problems that occur with petroleum products in water. The public has taken active participation in learning about the site and have been participating in public meetings.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We recommend that the environmental fate and transport of site-related contaminants be fully characterized.
On-site workers should minimize contact with contaminated soil.
We recommend periodic sampling of the private wells near the site. Although the private wells are hydraulically up-gradient, it would be prudent to rule out the possibility of contamination in drinking water wells.
Recommend that all possible sources of contamination in the area unrelated to the site be identified. Further investigation is recommended to determine the source of downgradient, off-site, groundwater contamination.
Conduct water and fish sampling from the on-site fishing pond to determine whether contamination exists, what contaminants are present, and their potential health effects to people who consume fish from this pond. We also recommend that signs be posted around the ponds advising people not to fish in this pond.
Conduct on-site and off-site surface soil samples from the top three inches of soil.
Recommend that the existing fence around the site be repaired and extended around the unfenced areas so that the site will be completely secured. The partial fence in the southern portion of the site does not extend to the natural boundary of the trees in the southwestern border of the site. The western border of the site is surrounded by trees, but no fence exists in this area allowing easy access to the site.
Recommend the collection and analysis surface water and sediment samples from the areas adjacent to the on-site ponds.
In accordance with CERCLA, as amended, the data and information contained in the Geiger Site (C & M Oil) Public Health Assessment have been evaluated by the ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel for appropriate follow-up with respect to health actions. An on-site pond used for fishing may contain contaminated water and fish. A completed exposure pathway would exist if sampling determines contaminants in fish from this pond. A public availability session will be conducted to inform on-site workers and local residents that on-site ponds should not be used for fishing purposes. If information becomes available indicating exposure at levels of concern, SCDHEC and ATSDR will evaluate that information to determine what actions, if any, are necessary.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The following Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Geiger (C & M Oil) site contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or SCDHEC at and in the vicinity of this site subsequent to the completion of this public health assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. Included in this plan is a commitment on the part of ATSDR/SCDHEC to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by ATSDR and/or SCDHEC are as follows:

SCDHEC will remain available to answer any questions that the community may have pertaining to the site.
SCDHEC, in cooperation with ATSDR, will hold a public availability session to inform on-site workers and local residents not to use on-site ponds for fishing purposes. SCDHEC will recommend that warning signs be posted around on-site ponds discouraging any fishing activities.
SCDHEC, in cooperation with ATSDR, will review and evaluate additional sampling data as it becomes available to determine if further actions are needed.
SCDHEC will recommend continued sampling of water from residential drinking wells downgradient from the site.

In addition, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has committed to the following actions:

EPA will ensure that contaminated groundwater is recovered and remediated.
EPA will ensure that contaminated soil is solidified and stabilized on-site.

ATSDR and SCDHEC will follow-up with the EPA and other agencies to confirm implementation of the other recommendations contained in this public health assessment.

PREPARERS OF REPORT

Robert F. Marino, MD, MPH
Director
SCDHEC Division of Health Hazard Evaluation

John F. Brown, DVM, PhD
State Toxicologist
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation

Lovyst L. Howell
Project Administrator
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation

Charles C. Lewis, MPH
Environmental Quality Manager
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation

William T. Going, MPH
Environmental Quality Manager
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation

ATSDR Regional Representative

Chuck Pietrosewicz, CHWS
Senior Public Health Advisor
Office of the Assistant Administrator

Richard R. Kauffman
Technical Project Officer
Remedial Programs Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

CERTIFICATION

This Geiger (C & M Oil) site public health assessment was prepared by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control 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.

Richard R. Kauffman
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health assessment, and concurs with its findings.

Richard Gillig
Director, DHAC, ATSDR

REFERENCES

ATSDR. 1990a. Toxicological Profile for Antimony. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

ATSDR. 1991b. Toxicological Profile for Beryllium. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

ATSDR. 1989c. Toxicological Profile for Cadmium. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-88/03.

ATSDR. 1989d. Toxicological Profile for Chromium. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-88/10.

ATSDR. 1990e. Toxicological Profile for Copper. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-90/08.

ATSDR. 1990f. Toxicological Profile for 1,1-Dichloroethane. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-90/12.

ATSDR. 1990g. Toxicological Profile for Lead. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-88/17.

ATSDR. 1991h. Draft Toxicological Profile for Nickel. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

ATSDR. 1989i. Toxicological Profile for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-88/21.

ATSDR. 1990j. Toxicological Profile for Polycyclic Hydrocarbons. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-90/20.

ATSDR. 1992k. Toxicological profile for Vanadium. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR/TP-91/29.

Betchel Environmental, Inc. September 1992. Final Performance Based Design for the Groundwater Remediation at the Geiger (C&M) NPL Site.

Bureau of the Census. 1990. 1990 Census Population: General Social and Economic Characteristics. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

C.C. Johnson & Associates, P.C. Environmental Engineers. July 1, 1986. Final Remedial Investigation Report for Geiger (C&M) Site, Charleston, South Carolina.

Centers for Disease Control. Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children: A statement by the Centers for Disease Control-January 1985. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. Publication Number 99-2230.

Clayton, G. D. and F. E. Clayton. Ed. 1981-1982. Patty's Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology. 3rd ed. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Ebasco Services Incorporated. November 1991. ARCS IV Program, U.S. EPA Region IV, Remedial Planning Units Activities at Selected Uncontrolled Hazardous Substance Disposal Sites Region IV: Remedial Design for Geiger (C&M Oil) Site, Charleston County, South Carolina, Final Design Report. EPA Contract No. 68-W9-0048.

National Academy of Sciences, Drinking Water and Health, Volume 3, 1980.

Patnaik, Pradyot. 1992. A Comprehensive Guide to the Hazardous Properties of Chemical Substances. Van Nostrand Reinhold. p. 335.

Proctor, N. H., Hughes, J.P., and Fischman, M.L.. 1988. Chemical Hazards of the Workplace. 2nd ed. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, Pa.

Sittig, M. 1985. Handbook of Toxic and Hazardous Chemicals and Carcinogens. 2nd ed. Noyes Publications, Park Ridge, New Jersey.

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Toxicology Files.

South Carolina State Data Center. 1992. South Carolina Statistical Abstract, 1992. South Carolina Division of Research and Statistical Services. Columbia, South Carolina.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1990. Summary Tape File 1. U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Final Remedial Investigation Report for Geiger (C&M Oil) Site, Charleston County, South Carolina. November 21, 1987.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Health Assessment Document for Acrylonitrile. EPA-600/8-82-0077. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. Table 13-37, Page 13-165. October 1983.

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