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PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

USMC MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT
(a/k/a PARRIS ISLAND MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT)
PARRIS ISLAND, BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA


APPENDIX
ATSDR Assumptions and Methodology

ATSDR reviewed the fish and shellfish data as presented in the Extended Site Inspection Report Causeway Landfill, August 1993. We calculated a safe seafood consumption rate using the following assumptions. Although the calculations below imply a certain amount of precision, they are estimates using a range of values that include several safety factors. In other words, when there is uncertainty, they over-estimate rather than under-estimate risk by a factor of 10 to 1,000. Thus, the consumption rates we calculated are highly protective of the public's health. Therefore, based on the low level of chemical contamination, we believe that seafood can be consumed at these rates without any adverse health effects.

A. Causeway Landfill Areas

    We evaluated the level of chemical contaminants detected in fish and shellfish at the Causeway Landfill (pond and tidal marsh) and determined that PCBs represented the greatest human health concern. However, for recreational consumers, the level of PCBs in fish and shellfish were not a health hazard. We used the following methodology.

The following formulas were used to calculate our maximum recommended consumption frequency.

For Non-cancerous Effects:

ATSDR's
Maximum Recommended
Consumption Frequency
(days/year)		 = Body weight (kg) x Reference Dose (mg/kg/day) x 365 (days/year)
Mean Chemical Concentration (mg/kg) x Ingestion Rate (kg/day)

For Cancerous Effects:

We derived dose that gives cancer risk goal.
Dose
(mg/kg/day)		 = 1 x 10-5
Cancer Slope Factor (mg/kg/day)-1 x Exposure Duration / 70 year lifetime


ATSDR's
Maximum Recommended
Consumption Frequency
(days/year)		 = Body weight (kg) x Dose (mg/kg/day) x 365 (days/year)
Mean Chemical Concentration (mg/kg) x Ingestion Rate (kg/day)

RESULTS:

Recreational harvesters (adults, including pregnant women) could eat as much as two - 4 ounce meals per week as often as 50 weeks per year. [Calculated value = 102 meals per year.] Children could eat as much as one - 4 ounce meal once every two weeks per year. [Calculated value = 23 meals per year.]

B. Rifle Range Areas

    We evaluated the level of chemical contaminants detected in oysters from Ribbon, Edding, and Archers Creeks and near the impact berm area of the Rifle Range and determined that lead represented the greatest human health concern. However, the level of lead in oysters were not a health hazard for children, pregnant women or other adults. We used the following methodology.

The following formula was used to calculate our maximum recommended consumption frequency.

    ATSDR's
    Maximum Recommended
    Consumption Frequency
    (days/year)    		 = Body weight (kg) x Tolerable Dose (mg/kg/day) x 365 (days/year)
    Chemical Concentration (mg/kg) x Ingestion Rate (kg/day)

    RESULTS:

    Based on chemical contaminant levels, oysters are safe to eat by all consumers. The calculated values are as follows. Children can eat as much as 435 - 4 ounce meals per year. Pregnant women, 1,705 - 4 ounce meals per year. Other adults, 5,213 - 4 ounce meals per year.


REFERENCES

  1. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, Community Relations Profile, 1995.

  2. Navy Energy and Environmental Support Activity, Initial Assessment Study of Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, September 1986.

  3. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Site Visit Notes, June 20, 1995.

  4. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, ATSDR Site Visit, Site Summary and Information Package, Received June 19, 1995.

  5. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Hazard Ranking System II, August 1994.

  6. Department of Navy Environmental Restoration Plan for Fiscal Years 1995-1999.

  7. Rupp EM, Miller FL, and Baes CF. Some Results of Recent Surveys of Fish and Shellfish Consumption by Age and Region of U.S. Residents, Health Physics 39:165-175, 1980.

  8. ABB Environmental Services, Inc. Tallahassee, Florida, Extended Site Inspection Report Causeway Landfill, August 1993.

  9. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Record of Communication with Jim Clark, Parris Island, February 9, 1996.

  10. Low Country Council of Governments, Marine Recreational Fishing in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Regional Tourism Program, 1991.

  11. Protocol for a Uniform Great Lakes Sport Fish Consumption Advisory, September 1993.

  12. Reclamation Services, Inc., Central City, Kentucky, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island Sampling Data of Surface Water, Oysters, Mud, and Spartina from Ribbon Creek, Archer Creek, and Impact Area of Rifle Range, May 1995.

  13. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Guidance Document for Lead in Shellfish. August 1993.

Other Documents Reviewed


PREPARERS OF THE REPORT


    Carole D. Hossom
    Environmental Health Scientist
    Defense Facilities Assessment Section
    Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
    Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

    Lorna Bozeman
    Environmental Health Scientist
    Defense Facilities Assessment Section
    Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
    Division of Health Assessment and Consultation


    Reviewer:

    Diane Jackson
    Chief, Defense Facilities Assessment Section
    Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
    Division of Health Assessment and Consultation




Figure 1
Figure 1. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina

Figure 2
Figure 2. Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina

Figure 3
Figure 3. Sampling Locations at Causeway Landfill (Site 3) MCRD, Parris Island


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