PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
RAYMARK INDUSTRIES
STRATFORD, FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
Raymark Industries, Inc. operated in Stratford, Connecticut from 1919-1989. The facility manufactured brakes, clutch parts, and other friction based products. A system of lagoons were used in an effort to capture manufacturing waste. As these lagoons filled, they were dredged and waste material was used on and off-site as fill material.
The Raymark facility site posed a public health hazard to workers because of likely exposures to soil containing many compounds including volatile organic compounds, lead, asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Workers may also have been exposed to airborne asbestos. Workers were also likely exposed to a variety of compounds during manufacturing operations that likely required the handling of these materials and chemicals. Currently the facility is closed, site access is limited and much of the area is paved thereby reducing the potential for current exposures to site contamination, however, the site poses a health threat to people who trespass at the site. In addition, a health threat could exist at the site for workers or on-site personnel if current or future activities disturb contamination and precautions are not taken to prevent exposures from occurring.
Off-site locations presented a public health hazard in the past. These included the Wooster Junior High School/north playing field, Raybestos Memorial Field, Housatonic Boat Club, Short Beach Park, Wooster Park, Birds Eye Boat Ramp, Beacon Point Road, Spada Area/Commercial properties, Morgan Francis property, Del Buono property, Stratford Marina, and Salce property. Workers and recreational users were likely exposed to lead, asbestos, and PCBs through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact with contaminated surface soil. Interim actions including fencing, restricted access and covering have been taken at these locations to reduce the risk of any current or future exposures. A permanent remedy has been completed at Wooster Junior High School. Permanent remedies are being investigated for the other sites.
Some residential properties with surface soil contamination presented an imminent health threat in the past. Residents were likely exposed to lead, asbestos, and PCBs through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact with contaminated soils. No health threat currently exists at these properties. Interim measures were taken at all residential properties where waste was present prior to the excavation and removal activities. Excavation and removal, planned for all residential properties with levels of contamination posing a health threat, has been completed at the majority of the homes.
A public health threat currently exists for people who eat contaminated fish from Selby or Brewster Ponds. Elevated levels of PCBs were detected in American eels caught from Selby Pond. White catfish caught from Brewster Pond were found to have elevated levels of chlordane, a pesticide unrelated to Raymark waste. The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) and the Stratford Health Department posted signs warning anglers about the contaminated species.
In May 1993, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a Public Health Advisory stating that an imminent public health hazard existed from past, present and potential future exposures to Raymark waste containing lead, asbestos, and PCBs. Actions were quickly initiated to stop exposures, identify additional waste areas, and educate the public about adverse health effects associated with exposures. These activities involved the coordinated efforts of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ATSDR, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP), CT DPH, the Stratford Health Department and the town of Stratford.
Health outcome data including the results of a voluntary blood lead screening, cancer incidence and birth defects data were reviewed. The voluntary blood lead screening program did not identify a higher than expected number of elevated blood lead levels. These results can not be used to determine if people were exposed to Raymark waste or if Raymark waste affected people's health because the participants did not represent all Stratford residents and exposure to the waste had stopped at the majority of the locations. The cancer incidence rates in Stratford between 1958 and 1991 did not vary significantly from State rates for most cancer sites studied. The rates of bladder cancer, mesothelioma and all cancer sites combined for persons less than age 25 were higher in Stratford than the State. When the rates for all tumor sites combined, for all ages, were looked at in five-year time periods, the rate of cancer increased slightly for Stratford in comparison to the State. No birth defect stood out as being excessive in Stratford for the years 1983, 1985 and 1986. These are the only three years for which birth defects data is available. The findings of these investigations can be found in the Public Health Implications section of this document.
ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) has reviewed this Health Assessment and has made the following recommendations regarding follow-up health activities. The panel determined that community health education should be continued. Future community health education efforts should focus on informing the community on the health aspects of remedial activities at the Raymark site and other off-site locations and the results of on-going health studies. The panel also determined that the collaborative efforts between ATSDR, CT DPH and the Stratford Health Department should continue with these future educational efforts. The panel determined that the need for further follow up health activities should be considered once the results of on-going studies are available for review.
ATSDR and CT DPH recommend that efforts be taken to maintain all interim measures at sites where permanent remedies have not yet taken place. Furthermore, institutional controls need to be established for areas where a permanent remediation is not possible. CT DPH and ATSDR will continue to review post-excavation sampling results and any additional sampling data that are generated during the Stratford site investigations. CT DPH and ATSDR will continue to work with the Stratford Health Department to provide timely information to the public as activities in Stratford continue.
A. SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
Raymark Industries, Inc. is located at 75 East Main Street in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. The site covers approximately 33 acres and is owned by Raymark Industries, Inc.. It is bounded to the north by East Main Street, to the east by East Main Street and Ferry Boulevard, to the south by Longbrook Avenue and Barnum Avenue, and to the west by an active railroad corridor (See Appendix A-Site Map).
The buildings on site cover approximately 600,000 square feet and consist of formerly used office, production, and storage buildings. From 1919 until 1989, operations at the facility included the production of brakes, clutch parts, and other friction based products. During the manufacturing process, wastes generated included lead, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), ignitable and corrosive wastes, solvents, liquid adhesives, phenolic resins, alcohol, caustic phenolic mixtures, and dioxins/furans (EPA Region I, Pollution Report and RCRA file Information).
Raymark routinely disposed of waste containing more than 60 different contaminants on the facility property and at other locations in Stratford. From 1919 to July of 1984, Raymark used a system of on-site lagoons in an effort to capture the waste lead and asbestos. Over this 65 year period, these lagoon systems were located at numerous locations on the western and central portions of the site. As the lagoons filled, they were often dredged and the material was used as fill in locations on-site and around Stratford.
The Environmental Protection Agency Region I (EPA) has been involved with investigations at the Raymark Facility since 1984. In the fall of 1992, Raymark was ordered by EPA to stabilize its facility and the property; limit the potential for human contact to on-site contamination; and limit the potential for release of hazardous substances and contaminants from the site.
The site is fenced to prohibit access by the general public. Some office space at the facility was being used and the southern most building was being leased and used as a solid waste transfer station up until the summer of 1995.
Four lagoons on the site have been temporarily capped. These lagoons stopped receiving waste in 1984. One of the lagoons remained uncapped until the fall of 1994. It served as a collection basin and final discharge point for the facility's storm water runoff system. This lagoon drained into Ferry Creek, which flows south and east one half mile to the Housatonic River. Excavated waste removed from residential properties is being stored at the site. The majority of this waste is being stored in a secured and covered dome area. Some waste is also being stored in one of the buildings at the Raymark facility. In addition, contaminated soil has been placed in temporary piles outside and are covered with dust suppression foam routinely.
As a result of the dredging of the on-site lagoons and disposal of waste material throughout Stratford, many areas of off-site contamination have been identified and investigated. Maps in Appendix D show the location of these areas.
Based on historical town records, fourteen known or suspected waste disposal areas in the town were identified for evaluation. These areas included: Wooster Junior High School/playing fields; Raybestos Memorial Field; Morgan Francis Property on East Broadway; the Spada Property/commercial properties on Ferry Boulevard; Ferry Creek; the Housatonic Boat Club; Elm Street Lot K; the Airport Clear Zone; Forth and Fifth Avenue; the landfill on Dorne Drive; Short Beach Park; Lordship Boulevard; Honeyspot Road; and Beacon Point Road. Of the fourteen waste disposal areas, eight were prioritized for evaluation. Schools, recreational areas and locations easily accessed by the public were of greatest concern. The following is a description of the eight priority sites:
Wooster Junior High School: Wooster Junior High School is located on the corner of Freeman and Lincoln Streets. It is bordered by residential areas to the east and south. Wooster Park is located to the north and west. Bruce Brook is located along the western and northern boundaries of the school property. Wooster Pond is located north of the school property. Prior to the mid 1960's, the area that is now the north playing field was a pond. During the mid to late 1960's this area was filled.
Short Beach Park: Short Beach Park is located on Dorne Drive. The recreational areas including two softball fields, a little league field, a soccer field and a nine hole golf course cover approximately 50 acres. The area that is now known as Short Beach Park was a tidal wetland. Filling in this area began in the 1950's and 60's, and was actually part of the Dorne Drive landfill currently located across Dorne Drive. EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) reports indicate that Raymark waste was used as fill in this area during 1976-1979. The golf course and soccer fields were completed in the 1980's.
Vacant Lot/End of 4th/5th Avenue: This vacant lot is located at the end of 4th Avenue in the Lordship part of Stratford. The vacant lot covers approximately three acres and is surrounded by residential properties. A pond is located on the vacant parcel. It is believed that Raymark waste was used as fill in this area during the 1960's. A portion of this area is considered a tidal wetland by the DEP.
Spada Area/Commercial Properties on Ferry Boulevard: This area is located along Ferry Boulevard and is bisected by Ferry Creek. The eastern portion of Ferry Boulevard between Willow Avenue and Broad Street was at one time owned by Ernest Spada, a business developer, prior to its subdivision and development, thus the name Spada Properties. Commercial properties including Magic Mart, the Blue Goose Restaurant, Shopping Center, Housatonic Marina, Dan Perkin's Subaru, Veras Motors, Turnpike Spirits, and Ink Master are all located along the eastern side of Ferry Boulevard. Ferry Creek is located behind these commercial properties and residential properties are located on the opposite side of the creek. Prior to the mid 1960's this area was a tidal wetland but during the mid 1960's and early 1970's this area was filled. Residential properties on Housatonic Avenue and Willow Street were developed prior to the mid 1960's.
Morgan Francis Area: This area is located on East Broadway where it branches off from Ferry Boulevard. It is believed that waste was disposed in this area from approximately 1970-76. Ferry Creek borders this area to the east. A small tool shop is located on the property. A residential area is located to the north and west.
Lot K/Elm Street: This is an occupied private residence located on Elm Street.
Housatonic Boat Club: The Housatonic Boat Club is a private yacht club located between Shore Road and the Housatonic River. It is believed that the original shore line was located near what is now Shore Road. During the late 1960's and 70's fill was used to build up the area where the Boat Club is now located.
Raybestos Memorial Field and some adjacent properties: This field is located adjacent to the Raymark facility and covers approximately 13 acres. The area was used as a disposal site for Raymark waste as early as the 1940's through the 1980's. In the late 1970's clean fill was used to cover the disposal area. In 1989, asbestos materials were observed on the surface during an EPA site inspection. Under EPA orders, the area beyond the outfield was capped and fenced in 1992.
Additional Site Investigations
Adjacent Areas
In addition to the eight priority areas, investigations were initiated at the remaining six areas and residential, recreational, and commercial properties located near and within the priority areas. This included the investigation of approximately 25 commercial areas, approximately ten recreational and municipal areas, and approximately 350 residential properties.
Other
In response to concerns expressed by the public in May 1993, EPA also sampled day care facilities, parks, greens, and schools regardless of their proximity to a known waste area.
In 1989 the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) provided EPA with health consultations for the Raymark facility property, and for 12 areas of known asbestos waste disposal. These sites were evaluated for asbestos only. ATSDR concluded that the Raymark facility, Raymark Memorial Field, Stratford Square Shopping Center, Morgan Francis property, and the Spada property posed a potential health threat and recommended remedial action for airborne asbestos. ATSDR recommended monitoring and sampling programs for the Housatonic Boat Club, Beacon Point Road, Stratford Landfill, Short Beach Park, Fourth and Fifth Avenue, Honey Spot Road Extension and Wooster Junior High School Playing Field.
In February of 1992, ATSDR provided a health consultation for the Raymark facility, at the request of EPA. ATSDR concluded that the site posed a public health threat because of asbestos and PCBs.
ATSDR provided a health consultation in August 1992 regarding the removal activities being done by EPA at the Raymark Memorial Ball Field. ATSDR recommended that soil samples be collected at 0-3 inches and analyzed for lead and PCBs. In September 1992, ATSDR reviewed surface soil data for the ball field and concluded that the PCB levels did not pose a health threat because of restricted site access and the proposed covering of the area of concern.
In February 1993 the town of Stratford petitioned ATSDR for a Public Health Assessment to evaluate the human exposure risks posed by the presence of asbestos containing material at several locations within the town. This petition was accepted.
During this same month, EPA Region I requested that ATSDR evaluate dioxin analyses from soil samples collected on the Raymark facility property and to assess the potential health hazard. The results of on-going investigations at the Raymark facility revealed the presence of dioxin and furans beneath the surface in some areas. ATSDR concluded that the dioxin and furans at the site did not pose an imminent health threat because the surface was covered, there was restricted access to the site, and because it was an industrial setting. However, this finding prompted additional investigations of off-site areas in Stratford.
In May 1993, ATSDR reviewed screening results from the eight priority areas and issued a Public Health Advisory that concluded that an imminent public health hazard existed from past, present and potential future exposures to Raymark waste containing asbestos, lead, PCBs and other possible contaminants. In addition, ATSDR determined that a potential public health hazard may have existed due to indoor exposure. Asbestos, lead, PCBs and other possible Raymark waste contaminants may have been tracked inside residences via clothing, shoes and pets. ATSDR also concluded that the consumption of seafood caught in or near Ferry Creek may pose a health threat if Raymark waste contaminants were present at levels of health concern. ATSDR made the following recommendations in the May 1993 Public Health Advisory:
In September 1993, ATSDR and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) recommended a number of follow-up health activities. These recommendations were made after the review of environmental contamination at residential properties and were reviewed by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP). These recommendations included:
After the issuance of the May 1993 Public Health Advisory, EPA, DEP, ATSDR and the CT DPH and the Stratford Health Department expanded investigations and activities in Stratford. Emphasis was placed on the identification of new sites and the timely implementation of strategies to cease exposure and protect public health.
The environmental agencies took the lead on site investigations, environmental sampling and control measures to stop exposure. The health agencies reviewed sampling data, provided information regarding the public health implications of each area, and evaluated health outcome data.
In addition to these activities, public communication and education efforts were initiated. ATSDR provided for an on-site coordinator located within the Stratford Health Department to assist in maintaining effective lines of communication between the various agencies and the public, organize community wide informational and educational programs including meetings and fact sheets, and respond to incoming inquiries from the public.
A Medical Advisory Group was established to assist with specific medical questions posed by individuals in Stratford. In addition, this group assisted with outreach to health care professionals about the environmental contamination issues in Stratford.
An Interagency Communication Plan was developed to assist in the effective coordination and communication between the various agencies providing support in Stratford (See Appendix C-The Interagency Communication Plan).
B. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS TAKEN DURING HEALTH ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Since the issuance of the Public Health Advisory in May 1993, numerous activities have taken place to protect the public from exposure to contamination, to evaluate health outcome data and to communicate potential health risks to the public. The following provides an overview of these activities. Many of these actions were recommendations from the May 1993 Public Health Advisory and the September 1993 ATSDR and CT DPH recommendations.
Interim Actions and Permanent Remedies Taken at Priority Areas
As surface soil data became available, data were submitted by EPA and DEP to ATSDR and CT DPH. Health determinations were made for each property and submitted to EPA and DEP for appropriate action. A Health Implication Statement (HIS) was issued for each property. The HIS outlined the health determination and any recommendations for reducing exposures. Four classifications were used to characterize the sites. These classifications were: Imminent Health Hazard; Health Hazard; Potential Health Hazard; and No Apparent Health Hazard. These determinations were made based on the level of the contamination, the extent of the contamination and where the contamination was located on the property.
Wooster Middle School: In April 1993 a fence was constructed around the area of contamination and the north playing field was closed to the public. In the summer of 1993 a soil, gravel and geo-textile cover was placed over the North playing field for reinforcement and separation. This cover is at least 18 inches thick and blankets approximately nine acres. A permanent remedy was completed in the fall of 1995. This involved the excavation and removal of the contamination as well as landscaping and restoration of the fields.
Short Beach Park: In May 1993, access to the contaminated areas was restricted with the use of signs and snow fences. In the fall of 1993, a soil, gravel and geo-textile cover was placed on approximately three acres of the baseball/soccer field area. This cover is at least 12 inches thick. A fence was constructed around the covered area. A similar cover was placed in the area of the paddle ball courts. The permanent remedy at this site consists of a final cap of up to 3 feet of sand, gravel and topsoil placed over the existing cover.
Morgan Francis Property: A fence was installed around the perimeter of the Morgan Francis property to restrict access to the site. The gravel parking lot and sidewalk along East Broadway was paved with approximately four inches of asphalt.
Spada Properties:
Blue Goose Restaurant: During early 1994, a fence was placed along Ferry Creek and the back of this property to restrict access.
Shopping Center: A fence was installed along the eastern portion of the property to block access to Ferry Creek. Geo-textile and wood chips were placed over exposed soil in landscaped areas in the front of the property. Along the border between the Shopping Center and Housatonic Marina, exposed soil was covered with geo-textile and crushed stone.
Housatonic Marina: Geo-textile and wood chips were placed in the front of the property where there was exposed soil. A fence was already present to block access to Ferry Creek.
Dan Perkin's Subaru: Exposed soil in the front of the property along Ferry Boulevard was paved. A fence was placed next to the swale on the southern edge of the property. A fence already existed to block access to Ferry Creek. Geo-textile and wood chips were placed over exposed soil near the fences and on the parking lot islands.
Vacant Lot/4th/5th Avenue Area: In June 1993, a localized area of contamination was covered with clean fill. Residents living in the area have been advised to stay off this area, signs are posted to warn of environmental contamination. EPA placed additional temporary cover on this area in 1994. A permanent remedy was completed in the fall of 1995.
Lot K/Elm Street: Residents at this location were advised on reducing exposure to the waste. A removal action occurred at this location which involved the excavation of contaminated soil and removal back to Raymark.
Housatonic Boat Club: In May 1993, the town restricted the use of Shore Road. By November 1993, six inches of gravel had been placed over contamination in the boat storage area. A grass infield near the club had been paved and new cover and seed had been established closest to the club house. Crushed stone was used to cover areas along the east side of Shore Road and the landscaped island near the boat club entrance had been covered. In October 1994 fabric and compost was used along the west side of Shore Road. At this time the Town reopened Shore Road to all traffic.
Raybestos Memorial Field: The field has been closed to restrict access to the general public. The area outside of the ballfield has been capped by EPA.
In addition to the eight priority sites, additional sites were identified during sampling of adjacent properties. As these new sites were identified, interim actions were taken to prevent any additional exposures from occurring. These actions focused primarily on covering and fencing. Interim measures were selected based primarily on land use, site access, and extent of contamination.
A Health Implication Statement (HIS) was issued for every residential property evaluated. The HIS outlined the health determination made for the specific property which included recommendations for further investigation and recommendations for reducing exposure, if necessary, until interim and/or permanent measures could be taken. For all residential properties classified as a Health Hazard, or Imminent Health Hazard, a representative from the health agencies and the environmental agencies, hand delivered the sampling data and the HIS and answered questions from the residents. Interim measures were taken at all of these properties to stop exposure. These measures included, temporary fencing, covering, and restricted land use (i.e. no gardening, no landscaping, no digging.)
Permanent remediation of residential properties, directed by EPA, has focused on excavation and removal. As of October 1995, removal activities have occurred at approximately 45 residential properties. ATSDR and CT DPH have reviewed post excavation sampling of soil and issued Post Excavation HIS. In all cases, the post excavation sampling has cleared the properties of current health threats. For a few properties where waste had to be left in place, a future land-use notification system will be developed by the town to ensure protection of public health. Future property owners will be instructed not to breach the area(s) where waste remains. In some cases waste had to be left in place because excavation would have compromised the structural integrity of the foundation; or because of the presence of the utility line; or because the height of the water table made digging difficult.
The CT DPH and the Stratford Health Department issued warnings, posted signs and wrote fact sheets regarding fish contamination identified in Selby and Brewster Ponds. See Appendix E for the press release and fact sheets.
The Stratford Health Department offered free blood lead screening clinics from June through August of 1993. Residents concerned about exposure to lead could receive a blood lead test. Any confirmed blood lead level of 10 ug/dL or greater was followed up the Stratford Health Department. When possible, sources of lead in the persons environment were identified and recommendations were made to reduce exposure.
Clinical Evaluation of Stratford Residents
A study to investigate the health status of Stratford residents living in homes evaluated for the presence of Raymark waste in surface soil is underway. The University of Connecticut (UCONN) has been awarded funding from ATSDR to evaluate biomarkers of exposure in groups of individuals with varying degrees of risk associated with exposure to Raymark contaminants.
All persons living on residential properties where surface soil samples were taken have been asked to participate. All participants are asked to complete a questionnaire to determine general health status; have a brief medical examination; give a blood sample for lead, PCB, lipid and blood count analysis; and have a chest x-ray if over the age of 18. These data will be evaluated and compared across exposure categories defined by levels of contamination found in surface soil at the residence. The presence of a dose-response relationship will be explored for each of the biomarkers of exposure and exposure categories.
Clinical Evaluation of Public Works Employees
Public works employees were offered an opportunity to participate in a medical evaluation given their potential past exposure to Raymark waste at town-owned properties. These exposures may have occurred during maintenance of parks, roads, and school grounds. The medical evaluation included blood lead measurement, a medical and occupational history, and a physical examination. Efforts focused on detecting symptoms or conditions that may be related to exposure to lead, asbestos, or PCBs. Participation was voluntary and open to all current employees of the Public Works department with the exception of office staff who have no history of working in the field during their tenure with the department. Evaluation of this data has not been completed.
ATSDR has funded CT DPH to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology or computerized mapping to conduct a study of birth weight and selected types of cancer in relation to living near waste sites in Stratford, CT.
GIS will be used to locate the address as listed on the birth certificate for births occurring to Stratford residents between 1983 to 1992. These locations can then be used to assign environmental scores based on distance from the nearest hazardous waste location in the town. The distance from the waste, and other variables as listed on the birth certificate will be analyzed to determine if living near waste is predictive of birth weight.
Cancer cases diagnosed to Stratford residents will also be studied using GIS. Bladder cancer, mesothelioma, all tumors in individuals less than 25 years of age and testicular cancer were selected for further study because of citizen concern for that tumor site or because preliminary analysis indicated that the incidence in Stratford was higher than what would be expected based on State of Connecticut rates. The following provides a list of the tumors that will be investigated further based on earlier reviews of the tumor data.
These follow-up GIS studies will not be able to prove that the waste caused any disease, but they will help evaluate whether or not there was an association with living near the waste and decreased birth weight or increased risk of cancer.
Enhanced Site Evaluations Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Stratford and CT DPH were selected by ATSDR to participate in a demonstration project with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to explore the use of GIS in the health assessment process. GIS provides a way to analyze data in relation to its geographic location. Population data were gathered from the 1990 Census; information on natural resources and roadways was obtained from the DEP; environmental sampling data were obtained from EPA; and health data were gathered by the Stratford Health Department and CT DPH.
All of these data elements were assigned geographic locations for use in analysis and map generation. ORNL collaborated with CT DPH on the information gathered, and for map generation. The GIS was found to be very useful in several areas:
1) mapping the location of the Raymark waste;
2) identification of natural resources and possible exposure pathways;
3) enumeration and identification of sensitive populations; and
4) evaluating health outcome data.
C. DEMOGRAPHICS, LAND USE AND NATURAL RESOURCES USE
According to the 1990 census, the Town of Stratford has a population of 49,389. There are 3442 children less than age six in the town. Approximately 12% of the population are minorities. Approximately 3.5% of the total population live below the poverty level.
GIS was used to further evaluate sensitive populations around known waste sites. Sensitive populations are groups of people recognized as being more sensitive to exposure to environmental contamination. These populations include children and pregnant women. By mapping environmental contamination and census data, the populations closest to the waste areas were better identified. Maps in Appendix D represent population densities in Stratford and around the eight known waste areas. Table 1 describes the populations living within a quarter mile of the Raymark facility and eight priority areas. Minority populations are listed to help evaluate environmental equity issues.
Table 1
DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS around the RAYMARK FACILITY
and EIGHT PRIORITY AREAS
STRATFORD, CT
| SITE | TOTAL POPULATION WITHIN 1/4 MILE | CHILDREN LESS THAN AGE SIX WITHIN 1/4 MILE | MINORITY POPULATION WITHIN 1/4 MILE |
| WOOSTER JR HIGH SCHOOL | 4150 (8.4%)* | 281 (6.8%)** | 176 (4.2%)** |
| RAYMARK FACILITY | 3310 (6.7%) | 276 (8.3%) | 168 (5.1%) |
| HOUSATONIC BOAT CLUB | 2951 (6.0%) | 225 (7.6%) | 315 (10.7%) |
| SPADA PROPERTIES | 1673 (3.4%) | 115 (6.9%) | 111 (6.6%) |
| MORGAN FRANCIS | 1963 (4.0%) | 140 (7.1%) | 180 (9.2%) |
| SHORT BEACH PARK | 1349 (2.7%) | 85 (6.3%) | 69 (5.1%) |
| 4TH/5TH AVENUE VACANT LOT |
1385 (2.8%) | 86 (6.2%) | 58 (4.2%) |
| LOT K/ELM ST | 3454 (7.0%) | 318 (9.2%) | 1179 (34.1%) |
| RAYBESTOS MEMORIAL FIELD | 2940 (6.0%) | 252 (8.6%) | 152 (5.2%) |
*Percentages reported as percent of total population.
**Percentages reported as percent of total population living within a quarter mile of the site.
Children living near known waste areas are of particular concern. Children are most likely to be exposed to contamination in soil due to their increased hand to mouth activity. In addition, children are, in general, more susceptible to the adverse effects associated with exposure to environmental contamination. This is because children are still growing and developing and the body's mechanisms for processing and excreting toxic substances are not as developed.
People living, playing or working in the known waste areas are at greatest risk of exposure to contamination. A more detailed description of the populations most likely to be exposed is presented in the Exposure Pathways section.
GIS was also used to help identify land use and natural resources near the known waste sites. By mapping areas of known contamination, sensitive areas including ponds and rivers could be easily identified. In addition, GIS easily characterized land use around the known waste areas. Land use in and around the known waste areas includes residential, commercial, industrial and recreational.
The town of Stratford has 19 day care facilities, 13 public schools and 16 parks and greens.
Stratford is bordered to the south by Long Island Sound and to the East by the Housatonic River. There are 5 ponds in Stratford. A profile of fishing in these different water bodies was evaluated and can be found in Appendix E. Subsistence fishing does occur in a number of water bodies in Stratford. The species primarily fished is the American eel. Swimming, boating and fishing occur in Long Island Sound.
Potable water in Stratford is provided by Bridgeport Hydraulic Company from the Trap Falls Reservoir located in Shelton, CT. A private well water survey was conducted by the CT DEP to determine if anyone was using a private well for potable purposes within areas potentially affected by Raymark waste. Only 15 private wells were identified. A summary of this can be found in Appendix F.
Voluntary Blood Lead Screening
Because lead was a primary component of the waste, one of the recommendations of the Public Health Advisory was to conduct blood lead testing among Stratford residents. As described previously, the Stratford Health Department instituted free, voluntary blood lead testing in conjunction with the CT DPH. The purpose of the blood lead screening program was to: 1) identify cases of lead poisoning so that further investigation could occur to identify probable sources of lead, 2) provide a tool to evaluate the association between known lead risk factors and lead poisoning and 3) target prevention activities. Eleven clinics were offered for blood lead screening between June and August of 1993.
The CT DPH used the Connecticut Tumor Registry to gather data on the occurrence of lung, testicular and breast cancer; and non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, mesothelioma, leukemia, and soft tissue sarcoma. It is required by Connecticut law that all tumors diagnosed to Connecticut residents be reported to the CT DPH Tumor Registry. This is a population based registry that participates in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program and tabulates statistics on cancer incidence for the National Cancer Institute. The Tumor Registry has been in existence since 1935. The Tumor Registry collects data from reporting physicians, and also has an active surveillance program which reviews hospital records to ensure complete reporting of tumors. The Tumor Registry also has cooperative agreements with neighboring states so that tumors diagnosed in these states are reported to the Connecticut Tumor Registry.
Age specific cancer incidence rates were generated for Connecticut and Stratford for the 34 year period 1958-1991.
The number and rate of birth defects in Stratford and the State were evaluated using data from the Connecticut Birth Defects Surveillance Program (CBDSP). Birth defects data for 1983, 1985, and 1986 were reviewed to compare the rates of specific birth defects in Stratford with Connecticut rates. These three years are the only years for which data is available. The CBDSP used information gathered from the birth certificates, death certificates, and hospital discharge data.
A summary of these studies can be found in the Health Outcome Data Evaluation section.
E. RESPONDING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS
In response to the issuance of the Public Health Advisory, citizens in Stratford raised a number of concerns regarding health issues and environmental activities in town. In an effort to identify community concerns and respond to citizen concerns, a number of different initiatives have been explored. The following summarizes these efforts and the corresponding Appendices provide an overview of the questions raised by the citizens and the responses.
Public Meetings
On May 27, 1993, a public meeting was held to present the findings and conclusions of the ATSDR Public Health Advisory. More than 400 citizens of Stratford attended this meeting. Many, but not all, citizens had the opportunity to ask questions. Representatives from ATSDR, EPA, DEP, CT DPH, the Medical Advisory Committee, and the town were present. In an effort to respond to all the concerns raised by those in attendance, citizens wrote their questions on index cards. Responses to these questions were prepared by the appropriate agencies and were printed in a local newspaper. A listing of the questions can be found in Appendix G.
As the environmental investigations progressed, a series of neighborhood forums were held.
These meetings were organized in neighborhoods directly affected by the investigations and the
activities surrounding those investigations. These meetings were smaller and provided a better
forum in which to address the immediate concerns of those impacted. Representatives from the
town, health and environmental agencies attended. The following is a listing of the neighborhood
forums held to date:
8/19/93-4th/5th Avenue Area
8/26/93-Wooster School Area
9/1/93-Wooster School Area/Medical Issues
9/7/93 Elm Street Area
9/9/93-Morgan Francis Area
9/28/93-Clinton, Patterson Area
10/21/93-4th/5th Avenue Area
8/16/94-Sidney Street Area
9/20/94-Willow Street Area
12/10/94-Main Street Area
1/12/95-Elm Street Area
1/31/95-Stratford Avenue Area
4/8/95-Raymark Industries, Inc.
4/11/95-Raymark Industries, Inc.
6/8/95-Wooster School Area
9/13/95-Raymark Industries, Inc.
Appendix H includes fact sheets that were provided at these forums.
Data Package Delivery
For all properties where contamination was identified at levels of concern, data packages were hand delivered by representatives from the health and environmental agencies. During this time, sampling data were reviewed, the health determination was reported and residents and/or owners of the property were provided with an opportunity to ask questions. During this time, a number of citizen's concerns were responded to on an individual basis.
Citizen Advisory Council
In June 1993, the Stratford Citizens Advisory Council (SCAC) was established. The Stratford Health Department and the CT DPH encouraged the development of this citizens group and assisted in its formation. Eventually SCAC became an independent group. Membership in SCAC is voluntary and there is a current membership of approximately 14. The group established a number of goals including the dissemination of factual information to the public about hazardous waste in town, ensuring that the agencies involved made Stratford a top priority, seeking out community concerns and input about the sites and the work being done and communicating this to the various agencies and assisting with community education. SCAC issued newsletters and disseminated them throughout town. Representatives from the environmental and health agencies were often invited to present updates and respond to the group's questions.
Stratford Newsletter
In June 1993, the town, EPA, DEP, ATSDR and CT DPH developed a newsletter to provide the community with information about environmental contamination and the effects on people's health. Newsletters were originally sent to all residents of Stratford and eventually a mailing list was developed. Six issues have been published (See Appendix I-Stratford Environmental Update).
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