PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
OUTBOARD MARINE CORPORATION
WAUKEGAN, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
On the basis of the information reviewed, the IDPH has concluded that this site is a public health hazard because humans have probably been exposed to PCBs at concentrations which could result in adverse health effects. The chemicals of concern, contaminated media, exposure pathways, and possible receptors for each area of the site are summarized in Table 12. The primary concern is that anglers and their families have probably been exposed and might continue to be exposed to PCBs via the consumption of contaminated fish. PCBs can cause liver cancer in rats, and the EPA considers them probable human carcinogens. Smaller size at birth and neurological effects could occur in the infants of women who eat large quantities of PCB-contaminated fish. However, the effects observed in various studies were not always consistent. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether PCBs caused the reported effects. Immunological depression and more serious reproductive effects have been observed in animals after the animals consumed food with PCB levels similar to those of some fish from Waukegan Harbor and Lake Michigan. In some studies, however, other chemicals might have confounded the results. The greatest human risk would be for people who regularly eat (or ate) fish from the harbor itself. The risk from eating fish obtained further from the harbor should be lower than the risk from eating fish from waters closer to the harbor. Whether the somewhat elevated, non-site-related levels of cadmium in the harbor sediments have contaminated fish is unknown. It is also not known whether fish have been contaminated with polychlorinated dibenzofurans, which generally contaminate commercial PCB mixtures.
At this time, the exposure of people to PCBs via inhalation or the ingestion of surface water is probably negligible. However, remediation might have increased volatilization. A remediation plan is underway to clean the site permanently. The plan involves draining the highly contaminated Slip 3 and placing dredged sediments into containment cells. The sediments are de-watered, and the effluent water is treated on site. Harbor sediments with more than 500 ppm of PCBs and soil with more than 10,000 ppm of PCBs are treated using a high-temperature extraction process to remove at least 97% of the PCBs before disposal. The PCBs extracted in this process are sent to an approved off-site disposal facility. Extraction wells maintain an inward hydraulic gradient to help prevent the escape of PCBs from the containment cells. Community concerns have been expressed regarding possible dioxin formation during the extraction process. Additional health concerns involve fear of eating PCB-contaminated fish from Lake Michigan and possible contamination of the Waukegan municipal water supply.
At this time, public exposure to PAHs from the site is probably negligible. Remediation might cause increased exposure to on-site workers and possibly also to off-site workers and the public via dermal contact, inhalation, and/or ingestion. Public exposure is most likely at Waukegan Harbor or off site. This possible exposure is of concern because many PAHs are suspected human carcinogens and might also have reproductive effects.
Remedial workers at the New Slip are the people most likely to inhale or contact phenols. At this time, the likelihood of exposure for other people is unknown but is probably negligible. During remediation, liberated phenols could cause respiratory irritation, and contact with contaminated soil or groundwater could possibly cause skin irritation.
On- and off-site, groundwater is not used for any purpose; consequently, remedial workers are
the only people likely to be exposed to it. Dermal contact is the most likely route of exposure to
groundwater.
a. Encourage preparation of new guidelines for people who eat average and large amounts of Lake Michigan fish.
a. Maintain an inward hydraulic gradient.
b. Maintain the cap regularly to ensure its integrity.
c. Use institutional controls to ensure that no one constructs buildings on the disposal cells.
Health Activities Recommendation Panel Statement
In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, the OMC/Waukegan Harbor site has been evaluated for appropriate follow-up with respect to health activities. Anglers and their families have been exposed to PCBs via the consumption of contaminated fish. Action should be taken to reduce public exposure to PCBs, including replacement of the signs at Waukegan Harbor warning people about the hazards of consuming its fish. The Great Lakes Initiative is conducting an ongoing epidemiologic study of Lake Michigan fish eaters. If additional site information (e.g., the completed Remedial Investigation for the New Slip), suggests that exposure to other hazardous substances (e.g., PAHs) has occurred at levels that could cause adverse health effects, IDPH, in conjunction with ATSDR, will reevaluate this site for any indicated followup.
Health professionals in the Waukegan Harbor area should be educated about the health effects of the site contaminants.
Further environmental characterization and sampling of the New Slip during the RI/FS and fish monitoring studies should be designed to address the environmental and human exposure pathways discussed above. Additional information and data that become available (e.g., the completed New Slip RI/FS) will form the basis for further assessment by IDPH or ATSDR.
Based on the recommendations made in the health assessment, the following public health actions have been or will be undertaken:
IDPH/ATSDR will reevaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan when needed. New environmental, toxicological, or health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions and recommendations may determine the need for additional actions at this site.
The Outboard Marine Corporation Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Illinois 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.
William Greim
Technical Project Officer
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
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| Preparer: | Thomas A. Baughman, ABD Environmental Toxicologist IDPH - West Chicago Regional Office |
| Reviewers: | Ken McCann Environmental Toxicologist Bruce C.Barrow Environmental Toxicologist |
| ATSDR Regional Representative: | |
| Louise Fabinski Regional Operations, Region V Office of the Assistant Administrator |
|
| ATSDR Technical Project Officer: | |
| William Greim Environmental Health Scientist Division of Health Assessment and Consultation |
|
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