HOCOMONCO POND
WESTBOROUGH, WORCESTER COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the information reviewed, ATSDR and MDPH have concluded that this site poses a
public health hazard because of the potential risk to human health resulting from past and present
exposure to hazardous substances that may result in adverse health effects. As noted in the
public health implications section, exposure to hazardous levels of PAH's are ongoing as a result
of fishing activities at the pond and discharge stream that could result in increased cancer risk.
Analysis of data from the Massachusetts Cancer Registry failed to detect any differences in
stomach cancer or malignant melanoma rates experienced in Westborough compared to the
Commonwealth as a whole. Skin cancer rates for the area were, however, difficult to evaluate
since only malignant melanoma data were available. Malignant melanoma rates for
Westborough were not elevated when compared to those for the Commonwealth.
The remediation planned by USEPA to remove contaminated pond sediment is necessary to
reduce future health hazards associated with contaminated sediment at the pond. Reduction of
PAH levels in fish may be observed in the future subsequent to the removal of contaminated
pond sediment. It is not possible, however, to currently predict when PAH levels in fish will
subside to those considered safe.
It is not currently possible to estimate the time necessary to remove the extensive PAH
contamination detected in subsurface soil below and near Kettle Pond using microbial
degradation. In the event these efforts prove ineffective, soil flushing with detergent treated
water will be implemented. If conducted under proper conditions, neither of the remedial
alternatives mentioned are likely to pose a health risk to the surrounding community.
Metal objects detected near the abandoned tank farm may pose a physical injury hazard.
Monitoring data of waters sampled upgradient from the pond at the municipal water well were
reviewed. No hazardous contamination levels are present in these waters based on these data.
Airborne emission of volatilized PAHs may be possible in the event of a fire in the wooded
area surrounding the pond. It is not currently possible to determine what if any health hazards
would be posed in the event of such an occurrence.
The Westborough community expressed concern over the generation of nuisance odors during
the bioremedial process. Odors should not be produced if bioremediation is conducted in the
presence of sufficient oxygen.
The drinking water needs of some of the citizens of Westborough are served by private ground
water wells. It is not known whether these wells are in existence near the site.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to protect the public health of individuals engaged in activities on or near the
Hocomonco Pond site, the MDPH in conjunction with ATSDR puts forth the following
recommendations:
Fish from Hocomonco Pond should be routinely monitored in order to determine whether
consumption continues to pose a health hazard and the pond should remain posted.
The posted warnings not to swim or fish in pond waters should be heeded.
Warnings should be posted within 1,000 feet of the Hocomonco Pond discharge point alerting
individuals not to fish in the discharge stream waters.
Ground water from the municipal well upgradient from the pond should continue to be
monitored for VOC, PAH, and metal contamination.
The scrap metal situated near the abandoned tank farm should be removed in order to reduce
the risk of physical injury associated with the site.
If currently nonexistent, the need for an emergency response plan should be determined in
order to prevent any exposure to hazardous compounds at the site that may be emitted as a result
of a fire in the wooded area surrounding the pond.
A survey establishing the location of private wells in the vicinity of the site should be
conducted.
HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION PANEL (HARP) RECOMMENDATION
The Public Health Assessment for the Hocomonco Pond site, Westborough, Worcester County,
Massachusetts has been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel to
determine appropriate follow-up health activities. Isolated incidents resulting in exposure to site
contaminants have been observed. It is likely that these exposures are occurring to a limited
number of people. In addition, no elevations of cancers that have been associated with exposure
to such contaminants were observed in the area near the site. The panel has therefore determined
that follow-up activities for the site are not indicated at this time.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Hocomonco Pond NPL Site contains a description
of actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the MDPH at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent
to the completion of the this Public Health Assessment. For those actions taken at the site, please
see the Background section of this document. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this
health assessment not only identifies public health hazards but provides a plan of action designed
to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances in the environment. Included is a commitment on the part of ATSDR/MDPH to
ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented are as follows:
The Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment within MDPH will continue to monitor
cancer incidence rates for the town of Westborough through the Massachusetts Cancer Registry
at the MDPH.
In the event of such an occurrence, the Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment will
review any reports of elevated metals and organics contamination of municipal water that are
reported to the MDPH by the Division of Water Supply within the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection (MDEP). It is standard operating procedure for MDEP to report such
information to MDPH.
The Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment within MDPH will review results of fish
monitoring from Hocomonco Pond as they become available. This review will be conducted by
the Bureau in order to determine if consumption of fish caught from Hocomonco Pond continues
to pose a health hazard.
The Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment within MDPH will discuss with the Local
Emergency Planning Committee whether emergency response plans are in place at the site. If
appropriate, officials from the Right to Know/Emergency Response program within the Bureau
will coordinate with this committee the development of measures designed to prevent possible
hazardous exposures resulting from fire in the wooded area surrounding the pond.
The Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment within MDPH in conjunction with ATSDR
will review subsequent monitoring results of environmental media sampled from the site in order
to determine if the risk of hazardous exposure has changed since the release of this document.
The Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment within MDPH will determine the need for
an environmental health education program for the local medical community. If appropriate, the
Physicians Environmental Health Education Program within the Bureau will coordinate this
activity with physicians and other health professionals in the Central Massachusetts area.
CERTIFICATION
The public health assessment for the Hocomonco Pond site was prepared by the Massachusetts
Department of Public 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.
Gregory V. Ulirsch 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.
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
PREPARERS OF THE REPORT
William C. Strohsnitter,
Environmental Analyst,
Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment, MDPH
Jeffrey D. Purvis
Chief, Community Assessment Unit
Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment, MDPH
Suzanne K. Condon,
Director,
Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment, MDPH
ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Louise House,
Region I Senior Regional Representative
Regional Operations
Office of the Assistant Administrator, ATSDR
ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER
Gregory Ulirsch,
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Remedial Programs Branch
REFERENCES
1) Hocomonco Pond Site, Westborough, MA, Final Remedial Investigation Report, prepared by
TRC Environmental Consultants Inc., East Hartford, CT, Project No: 2513-N81-22, September,
1985.
2) Public Health and Environmental Assessment for the Hocomonco Pond and Discharge
Stream, prepared for Beazer East Inc. Pittsburgh, PA, prepared by Keystone Environmental
Resources Inc., Monroeville, PA; Project No: 120420-73, February, 1992.
3) Public Health and Environmental Assessment for Kettle Pond and Isolated Areas, prepared for
Beazer East Inc. Pittsburgh, PA, prepared by Keystone Environmental Resources Inc.,
Monroeville, PA; Project No: 120420-73, February, 1992.
4) Addendum to the Public Health and Environmental Assessment for Hocomonco Pond and
Discharge Stream and Kettle Pond and Isolated Areas, prepared for Beazer East Inc. Pittsburgh,
PA, prepared by Keystone Environmental Resources Inc., Monroeville, PA; Project No:
120430-06, May, 1992.
5) IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Volume
32, Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds Part 1, Chemical, Environmental and Experimental Data;
International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, December, 1983.
6) Draft Update Toxicological Profile for Arsenic, prepared by Life Systems Inc. for the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, USPHS, October, 1991.
7) Draft Update Toxicological Profile for Benzene, prepared by Clement International
Corporation for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, USPHS, October, 1991.
8) Toxicological Profile for Napthalene and 2-Methylnapthalene, prepared by Life Systems Inc.
for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, USPHS, December, 1990.
9) Toxicological Profile for Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, prepared by Clement
International Corporation for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, USPHS,
December, 1990.
10) Toxicological Profile for Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons, prepared by Clement
International Corporation for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, USPHS,
December, 1990.
11) Health Assessment for Hocomonco Pond, Westborough, MA, prepared by the Agency for
Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, April 22, 1985.
