PRELIMINARY PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
MONARCH TILE, INC., FLORENCE DIVISION
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, ALABAMA
The site is categorized as a indeterminate public health hazard based on an indeterminate amount of exposure to substances in the northern and southern ditches. Furthermore, there is a limited amount of data present to evaluate all media and no surface soil testing either on-site or off-site to evaluate. The health concerns should be reevaluated should more comprehensive testing be done.
From 1954 to 1960, Stylon discharged wastewater containing a number of heavy metals into the nearby drainage ditch. After 1960 Stylon discharged the wastewater into nearby settling ponds. In 1973, the site was leased to Monarch Tile, Inc., who continued to use glazing compounds containing heavy metals until 1979. The medium most heavily impacted from these practices is sediment in the ditches leading away from the site. No significant human exposures were determined from the current data. The extent of contamination in off-site surface soils is still unknown.
The health questions from the community surrounding the Monarch site are summarized and addressed in the Public Health Implications section. According to the available data, there does not appear to be an association between the contamination at the site and concerns raised by the community.
Environmental data for surface soil (less than or equal to three inches deep) does not adequately characterize the extent or amount of contamination found on- and off-site. Additional sampling of the sludge trench and sediment ponds may be needed to characterize worker exposure.
On the basis of the material contained in this Preliminary Public Health Assessment, the following recommendations are made:
Cease/Reduce Exposure Recommendations
Sediments in the ditches both on- and off-site should be remediated to prevent migration.
Site Characterization Recommendations
Sample on- and off-site surface soils (less than or equal to three inches deep) to determine any migration of contaminants.
Resample the northern drainage ditch to determine the effectiveness of earlier remediation.
Health Activities Recommendations Panel (HARP) Recommendations
In accordance with CERCLA, as amended, the data and information contained in the Monarch
Tile, Inc., site Preliminary Public Health Assessment have been evaluated by the ATSDR Health
Activities Recommendations Panel for appropriate follow-up with respect to health actions. No
follow-up health activities are indicated at this time because there is no evidence that people have
been or are currently being exposed to contaminants associated with the site. If information
becomes available indicating exposure at levels of concern, ATSDR will evaluate that information
to determine what actions, if any, are necessary to protect human health.
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Monarch Tile, Inc., site contains a description of
actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) to
mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances on or near the site. Based on the recommendations made in the preliminary public
health assessment for Monarch, no public health actions are indicated at this time because there is
no evidence of past of current exposures. ATSDR and ADPH will review any additional information as it becomes available.
Brian J. Hughes, Ph.D.
Environmental Toxicologist
Alabama Department of Public Health
ATSDR Regional Representative:
Robert Safay
ATSDR Region IV
ATSDR Technical Project Officer:
Richard R. Kauffman, M.S.
Toxicologist
ATSDR
CERTIFICATION
This Monarch Tile, Inc., Florence Division Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Alabama Department of 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.
Richard R. Kauffman, M.S.
Technical Project Officer
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC)
ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health assessment, and concurs with its findings.
Robert C. Williams, P.E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Arsenic. Atlanta: April 1993.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Barium. Atlanta: July 1992.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Cadmium. Atlanta: April 1993.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Chromium. Atlanta: April 1993.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Lead. Atlanta: April 1993.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Nickel. Atlanta: April 1993.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Zinc. Atlanta: October 1992.
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