POOLS PRAIRIE SITE
(a/k/a Neosho Wells)
NEOSHO, NEWTON COUNTY, MISSOURI
CONCLUSIONS
Residents were exposed to VOCs in their private wells for an unknown period
of time until the fall of 1995 when bottled water was provided to lessen that
exposure. Because contaminant levels are unknown for past exposures (possibly
from 1956 until the fall of 1995), and consequently the amount of exposure residents
received from their potentially VOC contaminated private wells for this time
period is unknown, the Pools Prairie site is classified as an Indeterminate
Public Health Hazard for past exposures. By April 1998, residents with
contaminated private wells above or equal to the MCL had been provided a whole-house
filtering system that eliminated their exposure to VOCs. The public water system,
scheduled to be completed during the year 2000, will eliminate future exposures
in the known and potentially contaminated areas as long as residents connect
to the system. Because the exposure pathways were eliminated by the whole-house
filtering system and, ultimately, by connection to the public water system,
the Pools Prairie site is currently classified as a No Apparent Public Health
Hazard for residents connecting to the public water supply. For those
not connected/connecting to the public water supply, the Pools Prairie site
is currently classified as a Public Health Hazard. The Pools Prairie
site is classified as A Public Health Hazard for the future because: contaminated
groundwater remains at the Pools Prairie site; some residents may not connect
to the public water system and/or not properly maintain their whole-house filtration
system; new wells may be drilled in the contaminated aquifer; the contamination
plume may move or increase in concentration; and the source areas have yet to
be remediated. These classifications are based on the following conclusions:
Due to the lack of historical data on the levels of contamination residents may have been
exposed to (from possibly as early as 1956 until the fall of 1995 when the groundwater
contamination was discovered), it is not possible to assess that potential exposure or its
health effects. However, based on the known recent past exposures since 1995, using an
extremely conservative exposure scenario, the exposure to contaminated groundwater is not
believed to have caused adverse health effects from past exposures.
With the installation of the public water system, those residences with contaminated wells
and those residents potentially affected in the areas of groundwater contamination will be
assured of a safe long-term water supply, provided that residents connect to the system.
Residents not connecting to the public water supply and residents outside the area supplied
by the new public water system could be affected in the future if their private wells become
contaminated. In addition, new wells for future residences drilled in the contaminated plume may allow residents to be exposed.
High levels of contaminants are present at the source areas that have yet to be remediated,
therefore, exposure may occur to remediation workers, trespassers, and others that may
occupy or work on the site (including future construction, utility workers, etc.). Exposure
could also occur if the area is developed or used for other purposes before it is completely remediated.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Continue to take measures to eliminate exposure to contaminated groundwater
at this site.
Continue to take steps to mitigate the groundwater contamination.
Sample private wells bordering the area supplied by the new public water
system on a regular basis to monitor if the contamination plume has moved
and may be affecting other residents.
Take measures to prevent human exposure from the four source areas.
Ensure that remediation workers are provided with and use the appropriate
personal protection equipment and follow standard health protective procedures
when working with the contaminated materials.
The Missouri Department of Health will review additional information when it becomes available
and respond appropriately to any request for additional information or action.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Pools Prairie site contains a description of actions to
be taken by the Missouri Department of Health (DOH), the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR), and others. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public
health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but provides an action plan to mitigate
and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from past, present, and/or future exposures to
hazardous substances at or near the site. Included is a commitment from DOH and/or ATSDR to
follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented
by DOH, ATSDR and/or cooperators are as follows:
DOH/ATSDR held a public availability session during the public comment period for the
Pools Prairie Site Public Health Assessment (Public Comment Version) on December 14,
1999. The purpose was to present the public health assessment to the public, answer health
questions they may have, and determine if there are additional health concerns. No
additional health concerns were presented at the public availability session or received in the
mail. Some technical comments were received and are addressed in Appendix D. The Pools
Prairie Public Health Assessment will be available for public viewing at repositories in the area.
DOH/ATSDR will coordinate with the appropriate environmental agencies to implement the recommendations in this public health assessment.
DOH/ATSDR will provide follow-up to this PHAP as necessary. If a follow-up report is
needed, it will be placed in the repositories that contain this public health assessment.
DOH/ATSDR will evaluate any further data that become available about human exposure
or contaminants at the site.
DOH/ATSDR will discuss with the environmental agencies the need to conduct future
sampling of private wells outside of the public water system to monitor the movement of the contamination plume to ensure that other residents aren't exposed.
PREPARERS OF THE REPORT
Arthur Busch
Environmental Specialist
Missouri Department of Health
Scott Clardy
Environmental Section Chief
Missouri Department of Health
Brian Quinn
Public Information Specialist
Missouri Department of Health
ATSDR Technical Project Officers
Roberta Erlwein
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Dee Williamson
Epidemiologist
Division of Health Studies
Teresa Nastoff
Health Educator
Division of Health Education and Promotion
ATSDR Regional Representative
Denise Jordan-Izaguirre
Senior Regional Representative
EPA Region VII
REFERENCES
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Health Consultation, Neosho Well TCE
Site, Neosho, Newton County, Missouri. Atlanta: ATSDR, February 16, 1995.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Expanded Site Inspection Report, Neosho
Wells Site, Newton County, Missouri. September 27, 1996.
Ecology and Environment, Inc., Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team.
Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for the Pools Prairie Site, Neosho, Missouri. October 1997.
U. S. Corps of Engineers. Trichloroethene (TCE) Results, Former Fort Crowder, Neosho,
MO. Residential Sampling by Corp. of Engineers, K. C. District, Draft. Faxed April 16,
1997.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Water Samples (Splits) Results of August 13, 1996 of Pools Prairie Residences. August 26, 1996.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Health Consultation, Neosho Wells,
Neosho, Newton County, Missouri, Recommended Action Level. Atlanta: ATSDR, May
21, 1997.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Health Consultation, Neosho Wells,
Neosho, Newton County, Missouri, Evaluation of Water Supply Method. Atlanta: ATSDR,
July 31, 1997.
Telephone conversation with Brian Mossman, Rocketdyne Propulsion & Power on details of
the Administrative Order of Consent for the Public Water System. October 21, 1999.
Environmental Protection Agency. Administrative Order of Consent, Pools Prairie Site,
Whole-House Treatment Unit Removal, EPA Docket No. VII-98-F-0004. February 27,
1998.
Environmental Protection Agency. National Priorities List Site Narrative at Listing, Pools
Prairie Site, Neosho, Missouri. January 19, 1999.
Ecology and Environment, Inc. Memorandum to EPA, Removal Assessment Report: Pools
Prairie Site (Quince Road Area), Neosho, Missouri (Formerly Neosho Wells Site). October
21, 1997.
Ecology and Environment, Inc. Site Investigation Report of the Crowder College Test site
located near Neosho, MO. TDD #R-07-8506-11A. July 7, 1986.
Rust Environment & Infrastructure. Final, Site Investigation, Former Air Force Plant #65,
Rocketdyne Test Site, Neosho, Missouri. December 1993.
Ecology and Environment, Inc. Memorandum to EPA, Preliminary Assessment of Crowder
College Test Site, Neosho, Missouri. TDD #R-07-8502-06. March 29, 1985.
Ecology and Environment, Inc. Removal Assessment of the Neosho Wells Site, Neosho,
Missouri. TDD: S07-9606-030B. March 1997.
Telephone conversation Jalal El-Jayyousi, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, on
present activities at the Engine Test Area and Component Test Area. October 21, 1999.
Fluor Daniel GTI, Inc. Time Critical Removal Action Work Plan, Component Test Area,
Pools Prairie Site, Neosho, Missouri. September 1998.
Ecology and Environment, Inc. Memorandum to EPA, Site Investigation: Pools Prairie Site
(Operable Unit #6 Sub-site), Neosho, Missouri (Formerly Neosho Wells) . TDD No.: S07-9805-019B. March 30, 1999.
State of Missouri Official Manual. Missouri Cities and Counties Municipal Information. 1995-1996.
U.S. Census Bureau. 1990 U.S. Census Data, Data Base C90STF3B. From Internet Data
Base. July 7, 1998.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Geological Information System Spatial
Analysis Activity for Neosho Wells, Neosho, Missouri. Atlanta: ATSDR, October 1998.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. ATSDR Public Health Assessment
Guidance Manual. Atlanta: ATSDR, 1993.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for
Trichloroethylene, Update. Atlanta: ATSDR, September 1997.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. National Exposure Registry
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Subregistry Baseline Technical Report, Revised. Atlanta:
ATSDR, December 1994.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. National Exposure Registry
Trichloroethylene (TCE) Subregistry Baseline Through Followup 3 Technical Report.
Atlanta: ATSDR, October 1999.
CDM Federal Programs Corporation. Final Site Investigation Summary Report, Round 1
Sampling Event, Fort Crowder, Neosho, Missouri. Contract No. DACW41-93-D-9004.
March 1997.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Carbon
Tetrachloride, Update. Atlanta: ATSDR, May 1994.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Comparison Values Tables. Atlanta:
ATSDR, Expires 3/31/2000.
Environmental Protection Agency. Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume 1,
Human Health Evaluation Manual (Part A). EPA/540/1-89/002. December 1989. .
American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures - 1995. American Cancer Society,
Atlanta, Georgia. 1995
Massachusetts Department of Health, Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment.
Woburn Childhood Leukemia Follow-up Study, Final Report. July 1997.
CERTIFICATION
The Pools Prairie Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Missouri Department of Health
under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR). It is in accordance with the approved methodology and procedures existing at the time
the public health assessment was initiated.
Roberta Erlwein
Technical Project Officer, SPS, SSAB, DHAC
The Superfund Site Assessment Branch of the Division of Health Assessment and Consultation,
ATSDR, has reviewed this public health assessment and concurs with its findings.
