The Kerr-McGee site does not currently present a health hazard to the public. However
if Kerr-McGee does not complete planned remedial activities, and the property is later
developed for residential use, residents could be exposed in the future to contaminants
and radioactive materials that might harm their health.
Property A, which is not associated with the Kerr-McGee site, is an indeterminate public
health hazard because sufficient chemical and radiological data are not available to
adequately evaluate environmental media. Lead contaminated soil and sediment were
found on the property; the extent of such contamination, which is not known at this time,
would determine whether or not those media are a public health threat.
Water from some area private wells and some public wells have been found to contain
somewhat elevated levels of iron and sodium, which are not associated with the Kerr
McGee site.
While investigating the Kerr-McGee site, several questions and concerns were raised by
the community. Our responses are provided in the Community Health Concerns
Evaluation subsection (starting on Page 20).
Data limitations for the site vicinity, except for Property A:
Private wells off site: A current private well survey and sampling are needed to better identify potable private well users and associated water quality in the site
vicinity.
Ponds off site: Additional water and sediment samples are needed for the two
ponds immediately north of the site to confirm whether they can be safely used
for swimming.
Samples need to be analyzed for a comprehensive set of inorganic, organic, and
radiologic parameters.
Area radiation data: The radiation 10-meter-grid survey conducted onsite showed
elevated levels of radiation along a portion of the north property line. Additional
radiation data are needed beyond that part of the property line to confirm levels
on the immediately adjoining private property.
Public wells-- Information is needed about sodium levels in water being
distributed by the Cushing public water system to determine whether elevated
sodium found in the well water used to supplement reservoir water is sufficiently
diluted before delivery to end users.
Data limitations for Property A, which is not associated with the Kerr-McGee site:
Investigations needed: More extensive soils, sludge, surface water, sediment, and
groundwater analyses need to be part of the expected site investigations. A
gamma survey is needed at sludge deposits and then expanded if initial findings
warrant.
b. Private well: Annual sampling of the on-site well is needed.
c. Samples need to be analyzed for a comprehensive set of inorganic, organic, and
radiologic parameters.
Areas of the Kerr-McGee site that have substantive concentrations of chemical and
radioactive-contaminated material need to be remediated satisfactorily, as planned, prior
to reuse for industrial, commercial, residential purposes. The oversight by both ODEQ
and NRC reduce any potential that the site will not be remediated. At Property A, people
in the residence should be advised of elevated lead found in surface soil and in pond
sediments.
Area private well users whose potable water is shown to contain elevated iron (or other
contaminants)--see Characterization Recommendations below-- should be advised about
the possible consequences associated with water consumption. This is not considered a
problem caused by the Kerr-McGee site. On Property A, the well owners should be
advised of elevated sodium in the water.
Optimal dust control measures should be implemented during remedial activities.
ATSDR understands that control measures are an integral part of the site remediation
plans.
Conduct a survey of private wells in the area, identify those used for potable supplies,
and analyze water quality. The survey should extend ¾ miles beyond the combined
Kerr-McGee and Property A boundaries. The two known nearest private wells--on
Property A and on property at the northeast corner of Linwood Avenue and Deep Rock
Road--should be analyzed annually until there is firm evidence that contaminants will not
affect those wells. Samples should be analyzed for inorganic, organic, and radioactive
contaminants. Any health implications associated with such sampling should be
conveyed to the well owners, and alternate supply obtained as appropriate.
Additional sampling is recommended for the two ponds north of the Kerr-McGee
property. Both water and sediment should be analyzed for inorganic, organic, and
radioactive contaminants. Any health implications associated with swimming use of the
ponds should be conveyed to the owners.
The 10-meter grid radioactivity survey conducted on the Kerr-McGee site should be
extended northward onto immediate adjacent property and, if findings warrant,
remediation should be undertaken.
Although sodium in area groundwater is not associated with the Kerr-McGee site, an
evaluation should be initiated to determine whether the sodium level being delivered at
the tap by the Cushing water distribution system at certain times is at a level that might
adversely affect the health of some users. The study should be conducted at a time when
maximum sodium levels might be conveyed to the tap--it seems that may occur during
extended drought periods when substantive groundwater is being pumped to supplement
the reservoir supply.
The comprehensive investigation of Property A being planned should include more
extensive soils, sludge, surface water, sediment, and groundwater sample analyses. A
gamma survey should be conducted at sludge deposits and then expanded if initial
findings warrant. Samples need to be analyzed for a comprehensive set of inorganic,
organic, and radiologic parameters.
Data and information developed in early phases of the Public Health Assessment process for the
Kerr-McGee Cushing Site were evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel
(HARP), and several health-related recommendations were proposed for follow-up. Information
developed in later phases of the assessment process appropriately addressed the issues in which
HARP had expressed an interest. Thus, there are no HARP recommendations at this time.
The Public Health Action Plan for the Kerr-McGee Cushing site describes actions taken and
pending to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to
hazardous substances in the environment.
Actions Taken
Substantive public health actions already taken by Kerr-McGee include:
Repaired fencing around pits and installed higher fencing. Entire perimeter of site is now
fenced. Ceased granting permission for recreational activities on site.
Extensive remedial activities to reduce or eliminate contaminant and radiation sources
and migration pathways. Dust control has been implemented in all remedial activities,
and monitoring equipment is documenting that dust control measures are effective.
Acquired essentially all privately held land within the original Kerr-McGee site boundary
in order to control development and use. Removed residences on property.
Structured plans in place for future reuse of property.
Actions Pending
Further remedial activities will be conducted on the Kerr-McGee property to reduce or
eliminate contaminant and radiation sources and migration pathways.
David Mellard, Ph.D.; Paul Charp, Ph.D.; and Don Gibeaut
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
With participation by
Amy Delf King and Robin Ruark Brothers, Ph.D.
Risk Analysis Section
Health and Safety Research Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Assisted by:
Elaine Zeighami, Ph.D. and Joni Skiles, M.S.
Statistics and Health Outcome Data Evaluation
Health and Safety Research Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Linda Bond
Technical Editing and Format
Health and Safety Research Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Burns and McDonnell: Interim Remedial Investigation/ Feasibility Study, Cushing Kerr-McGee Refinery Site, Cushing, Oklahoma. August 1990. [ATSDR code A1]
Morton Associates. Cushing Refinery Site, Site Decommissioning Plan. April 25, 1994.
[ATSDR code A57]
Peterson, J. C. Site Assessment Report for Rafferty Property site assessment/ sampling,
Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma. Ecology and Environment, Inc.; May 19, 1988.
[ATSDR code A28]
Hoffman, B. Letter to Douglas Fasset [ATSDR code Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA)] including three attachments of information regarding the Cushing Kerr-McGee
Refinery. June 21, 1988. [ATSDR code A4]
Burns and McDonnell: Phase I Remedial Investigation Report (Draft), Kerr-McGee
Cushing Refinery, Cushing, Oklahoma. May 1992. [ATSDR code A2]
Kerr-McGee Corporation. Descriptions of Small Waste Pit Locations, Cushing Small
Waste Pit Delineation Investigation. July 1994. [ATSDR code A65]
McHard, D. Briefing paper for use by the Governor of Oklahoma in preparing for press
conference on October 10, 1989. Oklahoma State Department of Health. October 1989.
[ATSDR code A5]
Personal communications with the Radionuclide Safety Division of the Oklahoma State
Department of Health regarding recent remedial actions on the Kerr-McGee site.
October 26, 1992. [ATSDR code A9]
Burns and McDonnell: Phase I Remedial Investigation Report (Final), Kerr-McGee
Cushing Refinery, Cushing, Oklahoma. April 1993. [ATSDR code A53]
Kerr-McGee. Cushing Site Radiological Survey: Harris, Martin, and Vincent Properties.
November 2, 1989. [ATSDR code A7]
Kerr-McGee Corporation. Final Radiation Survey of Four Unaffected Areas of the
Cushing Refinery Site. April, 1995. [ATSDR code A60]
Fluor, Daniels, Williams Brothers. Phase I Remedial Design. March 1995. [ATSDR
code A59]
Personal communication with Oklahoma State Employment Security Commission -Research Division. August 26, 1991. [ATSDR code A12]
Personal communication with superintendent of Cushing schools. August 27, 1991.
[ATSDR code A13]
Dricoll, F. Groundwater and Wells. 2nd edition. St. Paul, Minnesota: Johnson Filtration
Systems, Inc.; 1989. [ATSDR code A15]
Bates, R. and J. Jackson. Glossary of Geology. 2nd edition. Falls Church, VA: American
Geology Institute; 1980. [ATSDR code A16]
Freeze, R and J. Cherry. Groundwater. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall; 1979.
[ATSDR code A17]
Record of Communication between FIT biologist and Cushing city engineer. August 14,
1989. [ATSDR code A18]
Kauffman, R. Kerr-McGee site visit notes. 1990. [ATSDR code A10]
Personal communication with Cushing city engineer. September 12, 1991. [ATSDR
code A11]
Personal communications with Standards and Research Division of Oklahoma State
Department of Health regarding water use classification for Skull Creek. January 17,
1992. [ATSDR code A21]
Personal communication with the Oklahoma State Department of Health - Data
Management Division. August 26, 1991. [ATSDR code A22]
Citizen. Record of communication to Region VI National Priorities List (NPL)
Coordinator. December 8, 1989. [ATSDR code A23]
Citizen's Kerr-McGee Oversight Committee. Letter to C. Hickam, ATSDR Regional
Representative, Region VI. May 10, 1990. [ATSDR code A24]
Seiler, H.G., H. Sigel, and A. Sigel, eds. Handbook on Toxicity of Inorganic
Compounds. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1988. [ATSDR code A38]
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for
Naphthalene and 2-Methylnaphthalene, Draft. Atlanta: ATSDR, October 1989. [ATSDR
code A45]
ATSDR Draft Toxicological profile for Uranium, U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, ATSDR, Atlanta, GA, 1989. [ATSDR code A49]
National Library of Medicine. Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET). Toxic Chemical
Release Inventory. Bethesda, MD. Telephone: (301) 496-6193. [ATSDR code A26]
Kerr-McGee Corporation. Internal Correspondence describing thermal luminecent
dosimeter and air sample gamma data from activities conducted during 1994. September
6, 1995. [ATSDR code A64]
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations; Radionuclides. Federal Register. July 18,
1991; 56:33050-33129. [ATSDR code A71]
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Memorandum and Data Sheets. Soil
and Radioactivity Data for Deep Rock School. July 14, 1995. [ATSDR code A61]
Thompson, S. Final Report of Private Well and Pond Sampling near the Kerr-McGee
Cushing Refinery Site. Oklahoma State Department of Health. July 16, 1990. [ATSDR
code A20]
Kerr-McGee Corporation. Comments of the Kerr-McGee Corporation in Response to
EPA's Proposed Listing of the Cushing, Oklahoma Site. Washington, D.C.: Covington
and Burling, 1989. [ATSDR code A29]
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Transmittal and Data Sheets. Public
Water Supply Wells, Selected Samples Taken in 1994 and 1995. August 29, 1995.
[ATSDR code A62]
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Letter and data sheets providing water
quality data for a private well. August 16, 1995. [ATSDR code A63]
Southwest Laboratory of Oklahoma. Laboratory data set. January 5, 1996 [ATSDR
code A66]
Core Laboratories. Laboratory data set. January 18, 1996 (ATSDR code A67]
Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. Letter and laboratory data set.
February 8, 1996. [ATSDR code A68]
