PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
PALMETTO WOOD PRESERVING, INC.
CAYCE, LEXINGTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Palmetto Wood Preserving Site is a National Priorities List (NPL) facility located near the town of Columbia, South Carolina. This 5-acre site was used as a wood preserving facility between 1963 and 1985. In 1963, the facility used two processes for its operation: a fluoride-chromate-arsenate-phenol and an acid-copper-chromate process. In 1980, Eastern Forest Products took over and switched to a chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA) process. Operations consisted of treating wood with a CCA solution under high pressure and allowing the wood to dry under normal conditions.
The site is located in a rural area with an approximate population of 422 for a 1-mile radius. The community had not expressed any concerns about the site since 1982 when they complained about a "green liquid" spilling into adjacent land and roads. In 1981, residential wells were tested because the "green liquid" had spilled off-site. One private well was found to contain high levels of chromium; at that time, the facility provided drinking water to this residence. In 1992, local residents expressed concerns about whether their water may be contaminated as no recent sampling had been conducted in the area.
The site is being addressed in two stages: immediate actions, and a long-term remedial phase focusing on cleanup of the site. The immediate actions began in 1985, when EPA provided a temporary alternative drinking water supply to a residence adjacent to the site until municipal water was provided for this residence. In 1990, a municipal water line was installed. The long-term remedial phase included soil cleanup which began in 1989. Approximately 12,685 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated, treated, solidified, and placed in containment areas on-site to eliminate off-site contaminant migration. This portion of the cleanup was completed in the same year. Groundwater cleanup is underway.
This site is classified as being an indeterminate public health hazard because of insufficient groundwater and soil data. The data currently available do not indicate that persons are being exposed to contaminants at levels which could result in adverse health effects. If additional data should become available, this classification may change.
We recommend that the environmental fate and transport of site-related groundwater contaminants be fully characterized; that all possible sources of contamination in the area unrelated to the site be identified; and that surface soil sampling be conducted. We also recommend additional sampling of the private wells in the area to better characterize the extent of contaminant migration.
This public health assessment has been reviewed by the ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel, and the panel has determined that no follow-up activities are indicated at this time.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will perform additional sampling of the
groundwater, temporary wells, surface
water, and on-site soil. South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will
evaluate the additional data
as it becomes available and will remain available to answer any questions the community may have
about the site.
A. Site Description and History
The Palmetto Wood Preserving (PWP) site is a decommissioned wood preserving facility located at latitude 33 55' 06", and longitude 81 03' 09" in the rural community of Dixiana, Lexington County, South Carolina (Figure 1, Appendix A). It is located approximately 1.5 miles southeast of West Columbia, 6.4 miles southwest of Columbia, and 1.7 miles west of the confluence of Congaree Creek and the Congaree River (Figures 1, 2, & 3).
PWP occupies approximately 5 acres of land, 3.67 acres of which are owned by a private citizen and the remainder is owned by the South Carolina Electric and Gas Company. The site is secured by an 8-foot high chain-link fence. There is one building and four above ground pools on the site.
In 1963, the facility used two processes for its operation: a fluoride-chromate-arsenate-phenol and an acid-copper- chromate process. In 1980, Eastern Forest Products took over and switched to a chromated-copper-arsenate (CCA) process.
During the wood treatment process, wood was pressure impregnated with the solution then removed and allowed to dry, either in a drip shed or out in the open. It was during this drying process that excess solution dripped onto the ground and into the soil.
The site consisted of the plant structure, equipment, and stacks of treated and untreated wood. The equipment included a pressure vessel, narrow gauge rail line, and solution storage tanks. On-site structures include a drip shed and a storage and office building (Figure 4). All equipment was removed from the site in 1985.
The Seaboard Railroad tracks are adjacent to the southeastern boundary of the plant property. Untreated wood was delivered by rail and truck; treated lumber was generally removed by truck.
During 1981, and occasionally in 1982, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) received complaints, from residents and a nearby manufacturing company, concerning "green liquid" that was running off the site and puddling on adjacent property and on the roads during heavy rains. SCDHEC investigated these complaints by inspecting the site and collecting on-site surface soil samples and water samples from private drinking wells of varying depths in the immediate vicinity of the site. The private well sampling showed no contamination. Two soil samples detected chromium and pentachlorophenol (PCP), which was listed as being used prior to 1982 during the wood preserving process. The plant foreman stated that PCP had not been used under their management because it was a fuel oil based preservative and that dinitrophenol, a water soluble product, had been used. SCDHEC confirmed this report through sample analyses which showed the presence of PCP and dinitrophenol.
In November 1982, SCDHEC received another complaint about liquids migrating off the site. The investigation on this occasion revealed that flowing liquid from freshly treated lumber was puddling on adjacent property. This prompted SCDHEC to issue a Notice of Violation to the plant on March 29, 1983. This also prompted numerous conferences between the plant management and SCDHEC. These conferences were used to discuss soil cleanup on-site and the installation of a concrete drip pad to be used to collect and recycle CCA drip solution. This idea was never implemented as SCDHEC and the plant owners never reached an agreement on how to clean up the contaminated soil upon which the drip pads would be placed.
In April, 1983, a new drinking water well was installed for a private citizen (PW-1, Figure 5) approximately 200 feet downgradient of the site as the existing well was producing "yellow" water. During the initial pumping of the well, the water turned bright yellow and didn't clear for several hours of pumping. The water was analyzed and found to contain chromium. Following this discovery, the plant began to supply the residence with drinking water by running a hose from the plant's own private well until it closed in 1985. EPA then provided bottled water and eventually had the residence hooked up to the City water system. From May 4 to 5, 1983, SCDHEC sampled private wells within the surrounding area of the site. Sampling data revealed no contaminants in any other wells.
SCDHEC issued a Consent Order requiring PWP to determine the extent of contamination and to develop a plan for disposing of the contaminated materials. The plant hired Law Engineering Testing Company (LETCO) to perform a preliminary assessment of the suspected site contamination. The study, released in November 1983, indicated contamination of soil and groundwater underneath the main process area of the site. The private well previously tested off-site and found to be contaminated was re-sampled and the well was found to contain levels of chromium significantly lower than the original analysis indicated. The results from the SCDHEC and LETCO investigations led to speculation by SCDHEC and the plant owners that vandalism could have caused the initial contamination discovered in the private well.
At the end of 1983, SCDHEC turned over responsibility for further work on the site to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PWP was proposed for inclusion to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September, 1983. At that time, SCDHEC discontinued sampling of private wells in the area (NUS 1985).
On June 25, 1985, EPA issued a work assignment for a Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS) on the site. EPA assumed lead responsibility for the site when it was added to the NPL in September, 1984.
A Preliminary Assessment (PA) was completed and all buildings and facilities were removed from the site in 1985. The RI was conducted in 1986 and the findings of contamination from the lumber treatment were documented. The FS was then conducted to analyze remedial activities.
In August, 1987, the selected clean-up was outlined in the Record of Decision (ROD). A ROD is a public document that records a brief history of the respective NPL site, the results of the RI/FS, evaluation of all remedial alternatives considered for the site remediation, and EPA's final selection of a cleanup alternative. The ROD outlined that soil and groundwater would be remediated separately. The Remedial Design/Remedial Action Phase of the Superfund process began in 1987. Soil cleanup included excavation and treatment of 12,685 cubic yards of contaminated soil. The soil was solidified and then placed to eliminate off-site contaminant migration. This portion of the cleanup was completed in the same year. Groundwater cleanup is underway via a water treatment plant.
In November 1987, Keith Lindler and Melvin Blackwell of SCDHEC conducted a site visit to inspect the condition of the site. At that time, the site was not secured by a fence. It was apparent that the site was used as a playground by neighborhood children. It was also evident that the site was used as a shooting range or bird hunting field as there were spent shot gun shells on the ground.
The staff noted two 12" pipes sticking up from the ground that were not capped and had standing water in them. They also noted several 1 1/2" PVC pipes sticking up around the site, and three areas approximately 4'x 4' that were fenced by chicken wire, one of which had damage to the fence.
After this site visit, a memorandum was written of the findings with attachments sent to EPA. A meeting was requested with EPA, Peer Consultants, and SCDHEC prior to construction of the groundwater remediation process.
In June 1992, SCDHEC staff consisting of Lovyst Howell and Todd Going conducted another site visit. At this time, the site was completely secured by an 8-foot high chain-link fence. An EPA and SCDHEC sign was posted on the fence indicating this site to be an NPL site. No evidence suggests that trespassing has occurred; however, we saw many cigarette packages and beverage containers along the length of the railroad tracks.
The site contained a blue building approximately 30 feet by 15 feet located near the center of the site. We also noted four above ground pools approximately 15 feet in diameter. Local residents said the building was built approximately two years ago.
The area adjacent to the site was very rural, with overgrown weeds. We saw an old abandoned truck along the northwestern corner of the site. On the other side of the railroad tracks, there was an abandoned home with three small storage buildings and an old trailer which appeared to be unused for some time.
We saw two homes approximately 350 feet from the southeastern border of the site, across the railroad tracks. The homeowners talked to us and expressed concerns about the quality of their water supply as they are still utilizing private wells. There was another home approximately 1,000 feet from the southeastern corner of the site and the homeowners expressed a desire to have their water tested as it didn't taste good and had a "rust color" to it, they also indicated that during periods of rain there is a "green liquid" that washes down the road toward their property. All three residences had small vegetable gardens. There were several blackberry bushes near these homes and adjacent to the fence by the southern corner of the site. The previous site of the Manufacturing Company is now vacant. Local residents said the company had moved closer to town.
We saw several middle income homes, a church, and an operating South Carolina Electric & Gas facility within a 1-mile radius of the site. We also saw a newly constructed Industrial park just beyond the 2-mile radius of the site.
This site visit prompted us to call the City of Cayce Municipal Water Company. We found that municipal water is available in this area. However, the local residents to the south of the site told us they use their private wells.
C. Demographics, Land Use, and Natural Resource Use
Demographics
The Palmetto Wood Preserving site is located in a rural community approximately 6 1/2 miles northwest of Columbia in Lexington County. The city of Columbia, with a 1992 Census population of 98,052 is located in Richland County. Current Census figures for Lexington County are 167,611.
A visual survey of the area within 1-mile of the site revealed no pattern of housing by income. The census data indicate a contrast in the value of the homes in the area. The homes in this area are single-family dwellings. Four percent of the owner occupied housing units in this area are homes valued at $25,000 or less, while 25% of the homes are valued between $60,000 and $74,999 per home. Of all the homes in the area, 20% are renter occupied units and 80% are owner occupied.
Two other NPL sites, Dixiana and Lexington County 321 Landfill, are located within 1 mile
of the site.
TABLE 1: PALMETTO WOOD PRESERVING SITE
DEMOGRAPHICS
| A*. | Demographics for 1-mile radius | |
| Total Population | 422 | |
| Median Age | 33 | |
| B*. | Demographics for 2-mile radius | |
| Total Population | 3,781 | |
| Median Age | 38 | |
| % White |
% Black |
% Other |
% <10 yrs |
% 65+ yrs |
% Rental Units <$150/ month ** |
% Houses <$25,000 |
% Renter- Occupied |
| A* 97 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 20 |
| B* 80 | 18 | 2 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 27 |
Lexington County
Total Population
167,611
Land Use
This is a rural community and some of the residents use their land for small crops. South Carolina Electric & Gas has an operating plant adjacent to the site. The only other businesses in the area are located approximately three miles away.
The land in this area, historically, has been used for cultivating timber and wood products.
Natural Resource Use
The natural resources in this area are limited to wood pulping, groundwater in the surficial and semi-confined and confined aquifer, and sand production along the Congaree River in Dixiana. At the time of the RI, the shallow groundwater aquifer was used for private drinking wells by local residents downgradient of the site. At one time four wells were being used as potable water sources of which one has since been abandoned. A large commercial sand production facility is located three miles south of the site.
No health outcome data are available for review for the Palmetto Wood Preserving site or for
the community of Dixiana
as of June, 1992. We contacted the Lexington County Health Department, the Environmental
Control District Office, and
the Central District Office for information on health outcome data relevant to the site area. These
offices and the State
Health Office had no health outcome data.
During December 1981 and occasionally during 1982, the area residents and a nearby manufacturing company complained of green liquids running off the site and puddling on the adjacent property and roads. They were concerned about their drinking water and soil contamination due to the liquid running off-site and the health effects associated with the liquid.
During the 1992 site visit, some local residents expressed a concern about having their private wells tested as it has not been done in a long time and this is their primary source of water. They also talked about a "green liquid" that comes toward their property during rainy periods and they are concerned about what contamination this may pose to them, their water, and gardens.
The Palmetto Wood Preserving Site Public Health Assessment was available for review and public comment from December 23, 1992 to January 29, 1993. Copies of the public health assessment were available to the community/interested parties at the Lexington County Administration Building, Lexington Town Hall, the Lexington County Library, and the Division of Health Hazard Evaluation at SCDHEC in Columbia. Additionally, news releases were sent to all the weekly and daily newspapers in the state, all television networks in the state, the Associated Press, and the South Carolina Radio network. This comment period was intended to give the public and/or interested parties an opportunity to voice additional concerns or make comments pertaining to the Palmetto Wood Preserving Site Public Health Assessment. The office of Health Hazard Evaluation of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control received comments during this period. The response to these comments are included in Appendix B.
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