PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
KERR-MCGEE REFINERY SITE
CUSHING, PAYNE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA
| Table C12. Range of Contaminant Concentrations in Off-site Groundwater (Public Wells) SEE COMMENTS AT END OF TABLE FOR DISCUSSION ABOUT ORGANICS | |||||
| Contaminant | Concentration Range - mg/L |
Sampling Date | Reference | Comparison Value | |
| mg/L | Source | ||||
| Aluminum | NA RD ND - 0.055 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.765 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Antimony | NA RD ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.004 | RMEG-child |
| Arsenic | ND 0.002 - RD ND - 0.002 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
2.0E-5 | CREG |
| Barium | 0.027 - 0.052 0.0185 - 0.0641 0.03 - 0.107 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.7 | RMEG-child |
| Benzene | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.0012 | CREG | |
| Benzo(a)anthra- cene |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
.0001 | PMCL | |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
5.0E-6 | CREG | |
| Beryllium | NA 0.001 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
8.14E-6 | CREG |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.0025 | CREG | |
| Bromodichloro- methane |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.0006 | CREG | |
| Cadmium | ND 0.003 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.007 | EMEG-child (carcinogen) |
| Calcium | NA 55 - 68 NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
36.2 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Chromium | ND 0.002 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.05 (for hexavalent chromium) |
RMEG-child |
| Chrysene | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.0002 | PMCL | |
| Cobalt | NA 0.004 NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
ND | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Copper | ND - 0.114 RD NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
1.3 | AL |
| Cyclohexane,1- bromo-4-methyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | `none | |
| Cyclohexane,1, 2-dimethyl, trans |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1- ethyl-2- methyl,cis |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1- ethyl-4- methyl,trans |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane, methyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane, 1,1,3-trimethyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane, 1,2,3-trimethyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane, 1,2,3-trimethyl (1-alpha) |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Cylopropane, 1- methyl-2- (methylp) |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Dimethyldecane | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Dimethylheptane | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Hexane, 2,2- dimethyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Hexanol, 3-methyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| 2-Hexanone | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Iron | 1.692 - 16.69 RD 2.9 - 5.9 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
1.45 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Isoctanol | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Lead | ND - 0.022 0.003 NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.015 | AL |
| Magnesium | NA 8.4 - 15.9 NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
33.7 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Manganese | 0.028 - 0.114 0.0278 - 0.039 0.04 - 0.145 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
.05 | RMEG-child |
| Mercury | ND 0.0002 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.002 | LTHA |
| 2-Methylnaph- thalene |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
ND | background sample CMW-1.1 | |
| Naphthalene | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.02 | LTHA | |
| Nickel | NA 0.007 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.2 | RMEG-child |
| N-nitrosodi- phenylamine |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
.007 | CREG | |
| Oxirane, 2-(1,1- dimethylethyl)-3 ethyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Pentane, 2,3- dimethyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| 1-Pentene, 2,3- dimethyl |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Phenanthrene | 9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Potassium | NA RD NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none |
| Selenium | ND 0.002 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.02 | EMEG-child |
| Silver | ND 0.003 ND |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.05 | RMEG-child |
| Sodium | 32 - 83 33.9 - 60.6 28 - 115 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
37.3 | background samples CMW-1.1 |
| Trichloroethy- lene |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.0032 | CREG | |
| Trichloropro- pylene |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Trimethyl- pentane |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
none | none | |
| Vanadium | NA 0.005 NA |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
0.03 | IMEG-child |
| Zinc | ND - 0.022 RD ND - 0.01 |
9-89 11-89 94/95 |
FIT (1) FIT (1) ODEQ (35) |
3 | RMEG-child |
| Information about organic chemicals is summarized below:           o For the first data set: The samples were analyzed for VOCS, SVOCS, and other organic compounds--none were detected.           o For the second data set: The samples were analyzed for VOCS, SVOCS, and other organic compounds--none were detected.           o For the third data set: The samples were analyzed for VOCs and a few SVOCs--none were detected. | |||||
| Table C13. Radioactivity in Municipal Wells | ||||
| Measurement | Range pCi/L |
Sampling Date | Reference | Primary Drinking Water Standard (40 CFR 141, 142)1 |
| Radium-226 | 0.6 to 0.8 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 20 pCi/L (MCL2) |
| Uranium-234 | 0.09 to 0.14 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 26 pCi/L |
| Uranium-235 | 0.005 to 0.017 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 26 pCi/L |
| Uranium-238 | 0.008 to 0.09 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 26 pCi/L |
| Thorium-232 | 0.00 to 0.04 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 92 pCi/L |
| Thorium-230 | 0.001 to 0.002 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 83 pCi/L |
| Thorium-228 | 0.03 to 0.05 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 153 pCi/L |
| Thorium-227 | 0.001 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 662 pCi/L |
| Bismuth-214 | 6.2 to 80.5 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 19,000 pCi/L |
| Lead-214 | 6.1 to 77.5 | 1989 | FIT (1) | 12,000 pCi/L |
| Gross Alpha | -2.2 to 0.59 1.53 to 4.66 |
1989 1989 |
KM (34) FIT (1) |
15 pCi/L (MCL) |
| Gross Beta | 2.65 to 3.39 | 1989 | KM (34) | 50 pCi/L (screening level) |
1. Proposed limits - For uranium and thorium, the value listed is the concentration in water for a lifetime mortality risk of one in ten thousand (1 x 10-4). For bismuth and lead, the value listed is the concentration in water for 4 mrem effective dose equivalent per year assuming 2 liters daily intake.
2. Maximum contaminant level.
          o A well at a residence on Property A           o A well on a residential property south of Property A, along Deep Rock Road           o Three wells within about 1/4 mile of site; includes one well on a former private property "on site" near Linwood and Deep Rock Roads by the east edge of site.             None of the maximum values reported were from this "on-site" private well.           o Several wells about 1/2 to 3 miles from site. FOR ORGANICS INFORMATION--SEE COMMENTS AT END OF TABLE | |||||
| Contaminant | Concentration Range - mg/L |
Sampling Date |
Reference | Comparison Value | |
| mg/L | Source | ||||
| Aluminum | ND NI ND NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSDH (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ(36) |
0.765 | background sample CMW - 1.1 |
| Antimony | ND ND NA - ND NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.004 | RMEG-child |
| Arsenic | ND ND ND - 0.002 ND |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
2.0E-5 | CREG |
| Barium | ND 0.037 - 0.041 ND - 0.135 0.018 - 0.18 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.7 | RMEG-child |
| Benzene | see comments at end of table for all organics |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.0012 | CREG |
| Benzo(a)anthra- cene |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
.0001 | PMCL | |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
5.0E-6 | CREG | |
| Beryllium | ND ND NA - 0.001 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
8.14E-6 | CREG |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
O.0025 | CREG | |
| Bromodichloro- methane |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.0006 | CREG | |
| Cadmium | ND ND ND - 0.003 ND |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.007 | EMEG-child (carcinogen) |
| Calcium | 64 NI NA - 30.8 ND |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
36.2 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Chromium | ND ND ND - 0.002 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.05 (for hexavalent chromium) |
RMEG-child |
| Chrysene | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.0002 | PMCL | |
| Cobalt | ND NI NA - 0.004 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
ND | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Copper | ND ND - 0.004 0.004 - 0.09 0.012 - 0.028 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
1.3 | AL |
| Cyclohexane,1- bromo-4-methyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1,2- dimethyl, trans |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1- ethyl-2-methyl,cis |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1- ethyl-4- methyl,trans |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane, methyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1,1, 3-trimethyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1,2, 3-trimethyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cyclohexane,1,2, 3-trimethyl(1- alpha) |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Cylopropane, 1- methyl-2- (methylp) |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Dimethyldecane | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Dimethylheptane | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Hexane,2,2- dimethyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) >OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Hexanol, 3-methyl | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| 2-Hexanone | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Iron | 1.5 NI NA - 14.5 0.062 - 2.4 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
1.45 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Isoctanol | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Lead | ND ND ND - 0.054 ND - 0.36 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.015 | AL |
| Magnesium | 31.7 ND - 18L8 NA - 4.2 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
33.7 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Manganese | 0.012 ND - 0.005 NA - 0.186 ND - 0.29 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
.05 | RMEG-child |
| Mercury | ND ND NA - 0.0002 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.002 | LTHA |
| 2- Methylnaphthalene |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
ND | background sample CMW-1.1 | |
| Naphthalene | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.02 | LTHA | |
| Nickel | ND ND NA - 0.007 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.2 | RMEG-child |
| N-nitrosodi- phenylamine |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
.007 | CREG | |
| Oxirane, 2-(1,1- dimethylethyl)-3 ethyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Pentane, 2,3-dimethyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| 1-Pentene, 2,3-dimethyl |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Phenanthrene | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Potassium | 2.4 NI NA - ND NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none |
| Selenium | ND ND ND - 0.002 ND |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.02 | EMEG-child |
| Silver | ND NI ND - 0.003 ND |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.05 | RMEG-child |
| Sodium | 71.9 NI NA - 104 ND - 0.18 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
37.3 | background sample CMW-1.1 |
| Trichloroethylene | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.0032 | CREG | |
| Trichloropro- pylene |
03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Trimethylpentane | 03-88 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
none | none | |
| Vanadium | ND NI NA - 0.005 NA |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
0.03 | IEMEG-child |
| Zinc | 0.23 0.05 - 0.056 0.128 - 3.69 ND - 0.017 |
03-88 12-95 89/90/95 89/90/95 |
TAT (3) SLO (37), ODEQ (39) OSHD (33), FIT (1) , ODEQ (36) OSHD (33), ODEQ (36) |
3 | RMEG-child |
| Information about organic chemicals is summarized below:           o For the first data set: The sample was analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs and other organic compounds--none were detected.           o For the second data set: Two (a spit) sample were analyzed for VOCs and SVOCs--none were detected.           o For the third data set: Two samples were analyzed for VOCs, SVOCs and other organic chemicals; a third well sample was analyzed for VOCs--none were detected.           o For the forth data set: One of 9 well samples was analyzed for VOCs--none were detected. | |||||
| Table C15. Radioactivity in Private Wells | |||||
| Isotope | Range pCi/L |
Location | Sampling Date | Reference | Primary Drinking Water Standard (40 CFR 141, 142)1 |
| Gross Alpha | -1 to 7 | off-site | 10/89 to 2/90, 12/95 |
OSDH (33) ODEQ (39) |
15 pCi/L (MCL2) |
| Gross Alpha | 8 | former on-site well* | 12/89 | OSDH (33) | 15 pCi/L (MCL) |
| Gross Beta | -4 to 4 | off-site | 10/89 to 2/90 12/95 |
OSDH (33) ODEQ (39) |
50 pCi/L (screening level) |
| Gross Beta | 4 | former on-site well* | 12/89 | OSDH (33) | 50 pCi/L (screening level) |
| Radium-226 | 0 to 2.1 0.2 |
off-site | 10/89 to 2/90 1989 |
OSDH (33) FIT (1) |
20 pCi/L (MCL) |
| Radium-226 | 1.4 | on-site * | 12-89 | OSDH (33) | 20 pCi/L (MCL) |
| Uranium-234 | 0.04 to 3.9 | off-site | 1989, 12/95 | FIT (1) CORE (38) |
26 pCi/L |
| Uranium-235 | 0.004 to 0.3 | off-site | 1989, 12/95 | FIT (1) CORE (38) |
26 pCi/L |
| Uranium-238 | 0.008 to 1.6 | off-site | 1989, 12/95 | FIT (1) CORE (38) |
26 pCi/L |
| Thorium-232 | <LLD to 0.01 |
off-site | 1989, 12/95 | FIT (1) CORE (38) |
92 pCi/L |
| Thorium-230 | 0.008 to 0.02 | off-site | 1989 | FIT (1) | 83 pCi/L |
| Thorium-228 | <LLD to 0.04 |
off-site | 1989, 12/95 | FIT (1) CORE (38) |
153 pCi/L |
| Thorium-227 | 0.02 to 0.03 | off-site | 1989 | FIT (1) | 662 pCi/L |
| Bismuth-214 | 62.4 | off-site | 1989 | FIT (1) | 12,000 pCi/L |
| Lead-214 | 66.2 | off-site | 1989 | FIT (1) | 19,000 pCi/L |
* This well was on former private property "on site" near Linwood and Deep Rock Roads, by the east edge of the site.
1. Proposed limits - For uranium and thorium, the value listed is the concentration in water for a lifetime mortality risk of one in ten thousand (1 x 10-4). For bismuth and lead, the value listed is the concentration in water for 4 mrem effective dose equivalent per year assuming 2 liters daily intake.
2. MCL - maximum contaminant level.
          o Skull Creek and tributaries, upstream and downstream of site           o Skull Creek and tributaries, downstream of site near Property A           o Four private ponds | |||||
| Contaminant | Concentration Range - mg/L |
Sampling Date | Reference | Comparison Value | |
| mg/L | Source | ||||
| Aluminum | 0.11 - 16.5 0.07 - 0.64 NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
0.11 - 16.6 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Antimony | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.004 | RMEG-child |
| Arsenic | ND - 0.13 ND ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
2.0E-5 | CREG |
| Barium | 0.11 - 0.33 0.09 - 0.179 0.026 - 0.159 |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.7 | RMEG-child |
| Benzene | ND - RD DU-ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.0012 | CREG |
| Benzo(a)anthra- cene |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
.0001 | PMCL |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
5.0E-6 | CREG |
| Beryllium | ND - 0.002 ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
8.14E-6 | CREG |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate |
ND - RD ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.0025 | CREG |
| Bromodichloro- methane |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.0006 | CREG |
| Cadmium | ND - 0.007 ND ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.007 | EMEG-child (carcinogen) |
| Calcium | 74.8 - 113 72.1 - 89.59 NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
74.8 - 97.9 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Chromium | ND - 0.02 ND ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.05 (for hexavalent chromium) |
RMEG-child |
| Chrysene | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.0002 | PMCL |
| Cobalt | ND - 0.03 ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
ND - 0.3 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Copper | 0.006 - 0.012 ND - 0.027 ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
1.3 | AL |
| Cyclohexane, 1-bromo-4-methyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane, 1,2- dimethyl, trans |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane, 1- ethyl-2-methyl,cis |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane, 1-ethyl-4- methyl,trans |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane, methyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane, 1,1,3-trimethyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane, 1,2,3-trimethyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclohexane,1,2, 3-trimethyl(1- alpha) |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Cyclopropane, 1-methyl-2- (methylp) |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Dimethyldecane | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Dimethylheptane | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Hexane, 2,2-dimethyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Hexanol, 3-methyl | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| 2-Hexanone | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Iron | 1.09 - 14.3 0.693 - 4.95 0.2 - 4.306 |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
1.19 - 14.3 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Isoctanol | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Lead | ND - 0.018 ND ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.015 | AL |
| Magnesium | 39.6 - 52.6 28.23 - 38.4 NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
39.6 - 52.6 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Manganese | 0.552 - 2.31 0.289 - 1.32 0.027 - 0.077 |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
.05 | RMEG-child |
| Mercury | ND - 0.001 ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.002 | LTHA |
| 2- Methylnaphthalene |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Naphthalene | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.02 | LTHA |
| Nickel | ND - 0.04 ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.2 | RMEG-child |
| N-nitrosodi- phenylamine |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.007 | CREG |
| Oxirane, 2-(1,1- dimethylethyl)-3 ethyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Pentane, 2,3-dimethyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| 1-Pentene, 2,3-dimethyl |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Phenanthrene | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Potassium | 4.62 - 7.92 1.936 - 5.53 NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
4.62 - 5.96 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Selenium | ND ND ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.02 | EMEG-child |
| Silver | ND - 0.011 ND ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
0.05 | RMEG-child |
| Sodium | 101 - 407 143 - 151 12 - 78 |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
101 - 110 | background samples WS-1A FIT, WS-36A FIT |
| Trichloroethylene | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
0.0032 | CREG |
| Trichloropro- pylene |
ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Trimethylpentane | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
none | none |
| Vanadium | ND ND NA |
5-86 3-88 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) OSHD (33) |
0.03 | IEMEG-child |
| Zinc | 0.005 - 0.089 ND - 0.045 ND |
5-86 3-88, 12-95 2-90 |
FIT (1) TAT (3) ,ODEQ (39) OSHD (33) |
3 | RMEG-child |
| Table C17. Radioactivity in Off-Site Surface Water | ||||
| Measurement | Range pCi/L |
Sampling Date | Reference | Proposed Primary Drinking Water Standard |
| Gross Alpha | 1.0 to 4.0 8 to 13 |
10/89 to 4/90 12/95 |
OSDH-ponds (33) ODEQ-creek (39) |
15 pCi/L |
| Gross Beta | 2.0 to 4.0 13 to 14 |
10/89 to 4/90 12/95 |
OSDH-ponds (33) ODEQ-creek (39) |
50 pCi/L |
| Radium-226 | -0.1 to 0.0 0.5 to 5.4 |
10/89 to 4/90 5/86 |
OSDH-ponds (33) FIT-Skull Creek and Tributaries (1) |
20 pCi/L |
| Radium-228 | -0.6 to 8.1 | 5/86 | FIT (1) | 20 pCi/L |
| Uranium-233+234 | 1.3 to 12 | 5/86, 12/95 | FIT (1) , CORE (38) | None |
| Uranium-235 | <LLD to .02 | 5/86, 12/95 | FIT (1) , CORE (38) | None |
| Uranium-238 | 0.6 to 13 | 5/86, 12/95 | FIT (1) , CORE (38) | None |
| Thorium-232 | <LLD to 3.1 | 5/86, 12/95 | FIT (1) , CORE (38) | 92 pCi/L |
| Thorium-230 | 0.76 to 2.2 | 5/86 | FIT (1) | 83 pCi/L |
| Thorium-228 | <LLD to 2.8 | 5/86, 12/95 | FIT (1) , CORE (38) | 153 pCi/L |
| Thorium-227 | -0.01 to 0.26 | 5/86 | FIT (1) | 662 pCi/L |
| Lead-210 | -0.2 to 6.7 | 5/86 | FIT (1) | 1 pCi/L |
| Polonium-210 | 0.3 to 31 | 5/86 | FIT (1) | 14 pCi/L |
1. Proposed limits - For uraniums and thoriums, the value listed is the concentration in water for a lifetime mortality risk of one in ten thousand (1 x 10-4). For lead, the value listed is the concentration in water for 4 mrem effective dose equivalent per year assuming 2 liters daily intake.
2. Maximum contaminant level.
D1     On Site -- Completed Exposure Pathways
D2     Off-Site -- Completed Exposure Pathways (NonPropertyA)
D3     Off-Site -- Property A Completed Exposure Pathways
D4     Potential Exposure Pathways
NOTE: Identification of an exposure pathway in these lists does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur.
| Table D1. On-Site -- Completed Exposure Pathways NOTE: Identification of an exposure pathway in this list does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur. | ||||||
|
ON-SITE PATHWAY NAME |
ON-SITE -- COMPLETED EXPOSURE PATHWAY ELEMENTS | TIME | ||||
| LIKELY SOURCE | MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE | ROUTE OF EXPOSURE |
EXPOSED POPULATION |
||
| Sludge | Waste Pits (and Nuclear Processing) |
Sludge | On-site Pits | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation Surface Radiation |
Operations and Remedial Workers |
Past Present Future * |
| Soil | Waste Pits; Refinery Operations & Storage; Nuclear Processing |
Soil | Vicinity of Pits, Tank Farm, Refinery, Nuclear Processing |
Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation Surface radiation |
Operations and Remedial Workers, Future site users |
Past Present Future |
| Nuclear Processing Buildings |
Nuclear Processing | Structures | In and Adjacent to Process Buildings |
Surface Radiation | Processing and Remedial Workers, Future Structure Users |
Past Present Future |
| Surface Water | Waste Pits; Refinery Operations & Storage |
Water | Skull Creek | Incidental Ingestion | Operations and Remedial Workers, Future site users |
Past Present Future |
| Sediment | Waste Pits; Refinery Operations & Storage |
Sediment | Skull Creek | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact |
Operations and Remedial Workers, Future site users |
Past Present Future |
| Ambient Air | Refinery Operations On site | Air | On site | Inhalation | Workers and a few on-site Residents |
Past |
| NOTE: Identification of an exposure pathway in this list does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur. * Until sludge is placed in engineered disposal cell | ||||||
| Table D2. Off-Site -- Completed Exposure Pathways (NonProperty A) NOTE: Identification of an exposure pathway in this list does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur. | ||||||
| OFF-SITE PATHWAY NAME |
OFF SITE --COMPLETED EXPOSURE PATHWAY ELEMENTS (NONPROPERTY A) | TIME | ||||
| LIKELY SOURCE |
ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA |
POINT OF EXPOSURE |
ROUTE OF EXPOSURE |
POTENTIALLY EXPOSED POPULATION |
||
| Soil | Likely Naturally Occurring | Soil | Off-site other than Property A |
Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Area Residents & Workers |
Past Present Future |
| Surface Water (Creek and ponds) |
Waste Pits; Refinery Operations & Storage, also Naturally occurring |
Surface Water | Off-site in Skull Creek |
Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact |
Occasional Recreational Users |
Past Present Future |
| Sediment (Creek and ponds) |
Waste Pits; Refinery Operations & Storage; Nuclear Processing also Naturally Occurring |
Sediment | Skull Creek | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Surface Radiation |
Occasional Recreational Users |
Past Present Future |
| Private Wells | Likely naturally occurring | Groundwater (Private Well) |
Residences | Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Users of Some Private Wells |
Past Present Future |
| Ambient Air | Refinery Operations & Storage |
Air | Area beyond Site Boundary |
Inhalation | Residents Workers |
Past |
| Public Wells | Likely Naturally Occurring | Groundwater | Area Residences and Businesses |
Ingestion Skin Contact |
Residents Workers |
Past Present Future |
| NOTE: Identification of an exposure pathway in this list does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur. | ||||||
| Table D3. Off-Site -- Property A Completed Exposure Pathways NOTE: Identification of an exposure pathway in this list does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur. | ||||||
| OFF-SITE: PROPERTY A PATHWAY NAME |
OFF SITE -- PROPERTY A COMPLETED EXPOSURE PATHWAY ELEMENTS | TIME | ||||
| LIKELY SOURCE | MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE |
ROUTE OF EXPOSURE |
EXPOSED POPULATION | ||
| Sludge | Refinery operations on property A | Sludge | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact |
Operations Workers on Property A | Past |
| Sludge | Refinery operations on property A | Sludge | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact |
Residents of property A | Past Present Future |
| Soil | Refinery operations on property A, Naturally occurring |
Surface Soil | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Site Workers on property A | Past |
| Soil | Refinery operations on property A, Naturally occurring |
Surface Soil | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Residents of Property A | Past Present Future |
| Sediment (Ponds/drainages) |
Refinery operations on Property A, Naturally occurring |
Sediment | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Site Workers on Property A | Past |
| Sediment (Ponds/drainages) |
Refinery operations on Property A, Naturally occurring |
Sediment | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Residents of Property A | Past Present Future |
| Surface Water (Ponds/drainages) |
Refinery operations on Property A, Naturally occurring |
Sediment | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Site Workers on Property A | Past |
| Surface Water (Ponds/drainages) |
Refinery operations on Property A, Naturally occurring |
Sediment | Property A | Incidental Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Residents on Property A | Past Present Future |
| Ambient Air | Refinery operations on Property A; also likely from Kerr McGee |
Air | Property A | Inhalation | Workers and Residents on Property A | Past |
| Private Well | Naturally occurring, possibly Refinery operations on property A |
Groundwater | Residences on property A |
Ingestion Skin Contact Inhalation |
Users of property A private well | Past Future |
| NOTE: Presence of an exposure pathway in this list does not imply that the exposure is substantive or that an adverse health effect will occur. | ||||||
| Table D4. Potential Exposure Pathways | ||||||
| PATHWAY NAME |
POTENTIAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY ELEMENTS | TIME | ||||
| LIKELY SOURCE |
ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA |
POINT OF EXPOSURE |
ROUTE OF EXPOSURE |
POTENTIALLY EXPOSED POPULATION |
||
| Sludge | Waste Pits, if not fully and adequately remediated |
Sludge and affected soils |
On-site in vicinity of pits |
Ingestion | Future residents Future workers |
Future |
| Aquatic Biota | Waste Pits, Refinery Operations & Storage, plus Naturally Occurring |
Aquatic Biota in nearby Ponds and Skull Creek |
Residences | Ingestion | Fish consumers | Past Present Future |
| Terrestrial biota | Waste Pits, Refinery Operations & Storage |
Terrestrial Biota | Future Residences On-Site |
Ingestion | Garden Produce and Homegrown Beef Consumers |
Past Present Future |
| Terrestrial Biota | Waste Pits; Refinery Operations & Storage |
Terrestrial Biota | Residences | Ingestion | Hunters Who consume Quail or Deer |
Past Present Future |
Appendix E--Overview of Radioactivity and Health
Elements are composed of tiny particles called atoms. Atoms are composed of smaller sub-atomic particles. In the center of the atom is the nucleus which contains two types of sub-atomic particles: the proton having a mass of 1.673 x 10-27 kilograms or a relative mass of 1 (1 atomic mass unit, amu) and carrying a positive charge, and the neutron having a mass of 1.675 x 10-27 kilograms, an amu slightly greater than 1 and carrying no charge. All atoms of an element have the same number of protons in the nucleus. This is called the atomic number. Atoms of the same element having different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes of the same element. This changes only the atomic mass. Uranium with a mass of 235 and uranium with a mass of 238 are isotopes since each has the same number of protons (92) but differ in the number of neutrons (143 or 146, respectively).
Around the nucleus are very small negatively charged particles called electrons, with a mass of 9.11 x 10-31 kilograms. The electrons orbit the nucleus in cloud-like shells or energy levels and determine the chemical properties of the atom. When the electrons are arranged in their shells so that all available positions are filled, the element is very chemically stable. However, if electrons are removed and ions are produced (ionization), it can cause the breakup of molecules or other deleterious changes within a cell. The damage produced by successive ionizations, accompanied by some repair for certain types of injuries and by no repair for others, could become serious and produce injury to living matter.
The nuclear stability of an element, however, is a result of the balance of forces in the nucleus. An atom that is unstable or radioactive will release energy (decay) in various ways to try to achieve stability. New elements are formed after decay that may be stable or radioactive. Newly formed radioactive elements (daughter products) continue to decay until they become stable elements (end products).
Radionuclides are characterized by the type and energy level of the radiation emitted. Ionizing radiation emissions fall into two major categories: particulates capable of producing ions (e.g., alpha and beta particles) or electromagnetic radiation (gamma and x-rays).
An alpha particle consists of two protons and two neutrons emitted from the nucleus of the parent element (+2 charge). This emission reduces the atomic number by two and the atomic mass by four and produces a new element. As in the example of uranium 238, the radioactive decay emits an alpha particle and yields thorium 234 (atomic number 90) plus energy.
Each alpha emission has a characteristic energy release. The alpha particle has a comparably large size and, therefore, has a great ability to react or ionize other molecules but has very little penetrating power. Generally, they cannot penetrate a piece of paper or the outer layer of human skin. However, if inhaled or ingested, alpha particles react quickly in localized areas of soft tissues such as in the lungs or liver.
Beta particles carry a single negative charge. Radionuclides with an excess of neutrons in the nucleus achieve stability by beta decay (emission of a negatively charged particle resulting in a decrease in the number of neutrons but an increase in the number of protons by one with no change in the atomic mass). As an example thorium 234 (atomic number 90) emits a beta particle and yields protactinium 234 (atomic number 91) plus energy.
Beta emitting radionuclides can cause injury to the skin and superficial body tissue but are most destructive when inhaled or ingested. Beta emitters can be similar chemically to naturally occurring body elements and will tend to accumulate in certain specific tissues or organs (target organs). For example, strontium 90 mimics calcium and as a result accumulates in the bones. The health effects of beta particle emissions depend upon the function of the target organ, the radiosensitivity of the target organ, the quantity of radioactive material ingested or inhaled, and the retention time of the radioactive material in a specific organ or in the body. The beta emitting radionuclides at the Kerr-McGee Cushing site are daughter products of natural uranium and thorium.
Gamma emissions are simply the energy released during nuclear transformations. This has been shown in the previous equations as "+ energy". Gamma and x-rays behave similarly but differ in their origin: Gamma emissions originate in the nucleus and x-rays result from energy level changes with the orbiting electrons. The emission of gamma or x-rays does not change the atomic number or atomic mass.
Gamma radiation penetrates the body from the outside and does not require ingestion or inhalation to damage body tissue. Gamma radiation is not directly ionizing; that is, it is not the direct cause of tissue damage in the body as are alpha and beta radiation. Gamma emissions, which have no charge, can penetrate through a medium without interacting until, by chance, they collide with electrons or nuclei and can liberate charged particles. These charged particles then produce ionizations, and damage to the cell or tissue can be the result.
We receive gamma radiation all the time from naturally occurring radioactive decay processes going on in rocks in our environment, from radioactive materials naturally present inside our bodies, from atmospheric fallout from nuclear testing or explosions, and from space or cosmic sources. This contributes to what is called background radiation. Exposure to natural background radiation may contribute to a slight increase in the risk of cancer.
Radioactivity is measured in units of disintegrations per second (dps) called curies (Ci) or becquerels (Bq). One curie (the unit traditionally used) is equal to 3.7 x 1010 dps. One becquerel (the new International System of Units (SI) unit currently used) is equal to one dps. A picocurie (pCi) is a million millionth of a curie (1 x 10-12 Ci) and is commonly used to quantify radioactive material in the environment. One becquerel is equal to 27 pCi. These disintegrations are independent of the chemical nature and the mass of the compound. The number of dps does not relate to the harmful nature of the isotope. A unit of exposure to ionizing radiation, roentgen (R), is the amount of gamma or x-rays required to produce ions in air under certain conditions. The unit used to describe the absorbed dose in any medium is rad or gray (Gy). One Gy is equal to 100 rad. These units still do not relate well to the different types of radiation and how they react in the body. Since alpha particles are not very penetrating, they transfer their energy in a very localized area and can produce greater injury for a given absorbed dose. The factor used to express the effectiveness of this linear energy transfer is called the quality factor, which is highest for alpha particles, and the lowest for gamma and x-rays. When the absorbed dose in rad is multiplied by this quality factor and other modifying factors, the result is the dose equivalent expressed in rem, or sievert (Sv). (1 Sv = 100 rem)
External gamma measurements may be taken with a tissue equivalent measurement device which records the dose in microrem, or with a device that records the dose in roentgen (R). For the purposes of this study one µR was assumed to be equivalent to one µrem.
For more information please consult the references used for this discussion:
ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Uranium, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ATSDR, Atlanta, GA, 1990
Shapiro J. Radiation Protection, A Guide for Scientists and Physicians. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1981
Appendix F--Health Outcome Data
| Cancer Type and Sex | Age | Numbers of Cancer Deaths Observed in Population for 15 Year Period and Age Adjusted Mortality Rate (AAMR) per 100,000 | |||
| Cushing | Remainder of Payne County |
State of Oklahoma |
Significance of Comparison | ||
| Females: Total Population |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ |
19980 7920 5820 5355 7035 8625 6765 |
48465 19890 15210 12000 11085 9120 6315 |
9175800 3565950 2571735 2315175 2232420 1914750 1452945 |
--- |
| Females: All Cancers |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
1 2 7 11 25 42 66 154 175 |
2 3 6 21 28 54 59 173 157 |
417 507 1512 3810 7690 11138 14681 39755 171 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD Note: NSD = no significant difference |
| Females: Pancreatic (157) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 3 0 3 5 11 13 |
0 0 0 2 0 1 8 11 10 |
0 6 28 121 350 662 1003 2170 9 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Breast (174) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 2 3 4 11 11 31 36 |
0 1 1 7 4 10 7 30 27 |
8 129 491 1019 1551 1776 1801 6775 29 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Lymphatic (200-203) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 0 1 3 4 8 8 |
0 0 2 0 0 5 8 15 14 |
42 42 57 161 394 701 986 2383 10 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Female: Genitourinary (179-184) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 1 1 1 5 5 8 21 25 |
0 0 1 3 3 8 5 20 18 |
19 81 227 505 908 1302 1475 4517 19 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Bladder (188) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 |
2 1 3 10 52 122 337 527 2 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Kidney (189) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
0 0 0 0 3 1 0 4 4 |
10 6 22 62 137 210 287 734 3 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Gastrointestinal (151-156) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 2 8 9 15 34 37 |
0 0 1 3 6 9 16 35 32 |
33 48 149 413 1012 2005 3830 7490 32 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Lung (162) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 1 0 4 7 12 24 25 |
0 0 0 2 9 13 9 33 30 |
8 15 199 851 1948 2456 1821 7298 31 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Females: Leukemias (204-208) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3 4 |
1 0 0 3 0 2 4 10 9 |
122 55 59 99 180 343 701 1559 7 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Total Population |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ |
21030 7425 5790 5115 5550 5460 3930 |
51825 20775 14535 13140 10725 7950 4920 |
9675960 3567660 2486565 2165775 1980420 1456245 817950 |
--- |
| Males: All Cancers |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
3 1 4 13 34 53 70 178 225 |
2 3 5 20 37 86 88 241 190 |
621 456 1195 3920 10627 16102 16602 49523 223 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne significantly less than OK. Alpha =.025. Qualifying tests for MHD not passed. |
| Males: Pancreatic (157) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 0 0 4 4 8 9 |
0 0 0 0 4 3 7 14 11 |
3 9 49 182 467 778 777 2265 10 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Prostate (185) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 0 3 5 22 30 32 |
0 0 0 3 0 11 14 28 22 |
9 0 0 36 432 1547 3139 5163 24 |
Cushing significantly
higher than OK,
Alpha =0.10.
Qualifiying tests for
MHD not passed. Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Lymphatic (200-203) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
1 0 0 0 0 3 2 6 8 |
0 1 1 1 1 5 8 17 13 |
71 64 106 218 461 739 552 2211 10 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Bladder (188) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 1 2 2 2 7 9 |
0 0 0 0 1 1 4 6 5 |
1 2 6 42 152 379 599 1181 5 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Kidney (189) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 |
0 0 0 1 2 4 1 8 6 |
7 13 58 139 327 367 293 1204 5 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Gastrointestinal (151-156) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 1 1 3 11 9 25 30 |
0 1 0 2 2 13 21 39 30 |
23 59 178 496 1379 2315 2807 7257 33 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
| Males: Lung (162) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
0 0 1 8 16 23 19 67 88 |
0 0 2 6 16 31 20 75 60 |
9 37 353 1758 5031 6787 4676 18651 84 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; signifi-cantly less than OK, Alpha >0.05. Data passed qualifying tests. |
| Males: Leukemias (204-208) |
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65-74 75+ Total AAMR |
1 0 1 0 0 2 2 6 8 |
1 0 1 0 2 9 3 16 13 |
204 58 79 147 310 577 671 2046 9 |
Cushing/OK; NSD Payne/OK; NSD |
The public health assessment was available for public review and comment in the local library for a period ending December 2, 1996. The comment period was published in the local paper, and notices were mailed to nearby residents. In addition, the document was sent to several agencies and persons. Specific comments -- except for those addressing grammar or punctuation -- and responses are summarized below. Where appropriate, the text presented in this final version has been changed. Any page numbers mentioned in the comments below refer to pagination in the October 16, 1996 public comment version of the document.
1. COMMENT: Property A is not part of the Kerr-McGee site and should be separated from it.
2. COMMENT: On Page 3; the waste volume has been estimated to be closer to 400,000 cubic yards.
3. COMMENT: On Page 8; Sandstone lenses of the Vanoss Group have been documented to occur as shallow as 10 feet below ground surface.
4. COMMENT: On Page 10; The Cushing Public Works Department no longer discharges treated effluent into Skull Creek.
5. COMMENT: Page 14; The subject well was resampled by ODEQ on July 18, 1995. Two samples (from well and tap) were obtained. Both samples were analyzed for organic pollutants and priority pollutant metals, which include lead. None of the pollutants exceeded Primary Drinking Water Regulations or health risk-based standards as set by the U.S. EPA.
6. COMMENT: Page 17; An explanation should be furnished distinguishing dose related (non-stocastic) and non-dose related (stochastic) health effects, since cancer is associated with non-dose effects (stochastic).
7. COMMENT: Page 17, Paragraph 1; Please specify if the organ damage is referring to dose or non-dose related health effects. An explanation may also be in order that non-dose health effects are documented at relatively high doses and rates. Moreover, due to radiation safety standards, the risk from low-level radiation is estimated from the high-dose cases. In addition, when referring to cancerous health effects, dose should be addressed in units of rem while non-cancerous effects should be in units of rads.
8. COMMENT: Page 18; Since all radioactive material produces ionizing radiation of some type, the sentence in paragraph 2 should be revised to state: "...contain elevated levels of both ionizing gamma radiation and radioactive material."
9. COMMENT: Please specify the method (e.g., zip code or other) used in distinguishing population as being Cushing or Stillwater residents.
10. COMMENT: Page 21; Property A already has residential population.
11. COMMENT: Page 23; The sentence should read, "Water samples obtained from that pond do not show..."
12. COMMENT: Page 23 and 24; These pages mention the Colby public water system. Please discuss what that system is, where it is located, and who it serves.
13. COMMENT: Page 45; In discussing the off-site sludges, please clarify whether they are believed to be from activities attributed to Property A or from the Kerr-McGee Refinery.
14. COMMENT: Pages 53-57, Table C1 lists the range of contaminant concentrations in column 2. Please explain what is meant by the 'ND', in this situation.
15. COMMENT: Page 114, Table D1; A future pathway should be designated as a potential completed pathway.
16. COMMENT: Page 118, Paragraph 1; The correct mass of a proton is 1.6725E-27 kg while the correct mass of a neutron is 1.6748E-27 kg. The sentence may need to be revised to state; " the proton having a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu) and the neutron having a mass of approximately 1 amu...". A definition of atomic mass unit may also be in order.
17. COMMENT: Public health risks associated with Property A, which was never either owned or operated by Kerr-McGee should be deleted from this report. The title of the assessment names the Kerr-McGee refinery site. At the least it is confusing when potential health hazards associated with another site are addressed in a report dealing with the Kerr-McGee site, and it could result in claims being wrongfully directed at Kerr - McGee.
Additionally, although it may be appropriate to mention the elevated levels of naturally occurring elements (e.g., iron and sodium) in groundwater and drinking water supplies as a potential health risk, they would best be addressed in a separate report. It's believed that some local residents interpreted the assessment as an allegation that Kerr-McGee is responsible for these potential public health hazards.
18. COMMENT: Some statements alarm rather than inform. For example, on Page 1, the Summary
states, "the Kerr-McGee site is considered a public health hazard because...(emphasis by
commenter). The remainder of the sentence contains actions that would make the site a public
health hazard;
Read in full context, a person trained in technical issues may say that this sentence does not say that the site is a hazard, rather it could be a hazard if a series of highly unlikely circumstances occurred in the future. However, local citizens can easily receive the impression that the site is currently a public health hazard! ATSDR does itself and Kerr-McGee a disservice in presenting its conclusions in such an alarming and misrepresentative manner.
This sentence could be equally accurate and more precisely describe the actual hazard if written more like the following:
19. COMMENT: In a Site Decommissioning Plan submitted in April 1994, Kerr-McGee proposed to bury some licensed radioactive material that exceeds existing limits for unrestricted use in an on site disposal cell. Since then, the plan has been revised, and a contract has been executed with a licensed disposal facility to receive that material. NRC and ODEQ were notified of this change in September, 1996.
20. COMMENT: ATSDR has recommended that dust control measures be implemented during remedial activity. Instead, the assessment report should state that dust control measures have been and are being implemented in all remedial activity currently being performed, and all that has been performed to date. Asbestos removal and radioactive soil cleanup have been performed and air monitors have shown no measurable dust emissions. Dust control measures are being employed for the ongoing acid sludge remediation and disposal cell construction. State-of-the-art monitoring equipment is documenting the fact that dust control measures are effective.
21. COMMENT: This report appears to be several years past due as it seems it was to be completed in 1991. Why such a delay?
22. COMMENT: A resident expresses several contamination concerns:
COMMENT: One resident stated that most people will agree the ground water will be poisonous for several years to come. I'm extremely concerned about my drinking water.
COMMENT: One resident stated that over the years tumors, stomach problems, birth defects, and cancer were rampant in the community and asked whether or not the contaminants at the site could be responsible.
COMMENT: One resident stated that he or she worked at Kerr-McGee, swam and fished in the ponds, and hunted in the area. The resident wanted to know whether or not the fish, frogs, quail, and deer are contaminated.
COMMENT One resident stated that they had worked at Kerr-McGee in the 1970s in various activities.
COMMENT: One resident was concerned about health effects since the resident has a child that was born with a birth defect.