RIPON CITY LANDFILL
RIPON, FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WISCONSIN
CONCLUSIONS
The Ripon FF/NN landfill has caused environmental contamination both on and off-site. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have migrated from the landfill to the groundwater near the site. Leachate from the landfill has seeped into a depression adjacent to the landfill.
A private water supply approximately 500 feet south of the site was contaminated with VOCs. Vinyl chloride levels in the water supply wells at this residence posed a public health hazard to the residents. Such an exposure can cause an increased cancer risk and possible liver damage. Both water supply wells on this property have been abandoned and the home is no longer occupied.
There are currently no exposures to contamination from this site. Existing private wells in the area have been tested and are not impacted by the site. Though the potential is quite low, a public health hazard could exist in the future if contaminated groundwater migrated to other private wells at levels of health concern. Future exposures to the leachate seeps on-site pose an indeterminant public health hazard.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the conclusions developed in this report the WDOH and ATSDR make the following recommendations:
NEED FOR FOLLOW-UP HEALTH ACTIVITIES
The WDOH and the ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel evaluated the data on this site to determine what needs exist for additional research and/or local education about health related concerns. Such activities could include conducting further studies on cases of disease in the area or providing information about exposure to toxic chemicals.
The WDOH will provide community education about this site as part of its ongoing efforts at Wisconsin's Superfund sites. The Health Activities Recommendation Panel determined that follow-up health studies are not appropriate for the single residence exposed to vinyl chloride in the past. If the remedial investigation of this site shows that exposure to toxic substances is more widespread than previous sampling found, the Wisconsin Division of Health and ATSDR will reconsider the need for other activities.
If future WDOH evaluations indicate that additional completed exposure pathways exist or that the community has expressed specific health concerns, then WDOH will consider reviewing health outcome databases.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN
The WDOH, in cooperation with ATSDR, will conduct the following activities to respond to the recommendations of this assessment:
Preparer of the Report:
ATSDR Regional Representatives
ATSDR Technical Project Officer
The Ripon FF/NN Landfill Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Wisconsin Division of 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.
Richard Gillig
For Robert C. Williams, P.E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
RESPONSE TO PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following comments were received durring the public comment period for the public health assessment. After each comment is an explanation of how it has been addressed in bold type.
WDOH will discuss this recommendation with the WDNR. A groundwater monitoring plan will be developed by the responsible party group and must be approved by the DNR and DOH. If this monitoring plan doesn't include appropriate sampling frequency of private wells to be protective of public health, DOH will recommend the appropriate changes.
The water quality problem in local private wells is not related to this or other landfill sites.
Additional monitoring wells have been added that now sufficiently monitors this area.
APPENDIX
RMEG - Reference Media Evaluation Guide derived from EPA Reference dose concentration. This concentration was calculated from an exposure dose below which no adverse health effects are expected. This value is lower for children than for adults and can be considered protective for both.
LTHA - EPA's drinking water Lifetime Health Advisory.
EMEG - Environmental Media Evaluation Guide. This concentration has been developed as a threshold level below which no adverse systemic health effects are expected. This value is lower for children than for adults and can be considered protective for both.
MRL - ATSDR Minimal Risk Level.
Rfd - Reference dose. This concentration was calculated from an exposure dose below which no adverse health effects are expected. This value is lower for children than for adults and can be considered protective for both.
CREG - Cancer Risk Evaluation Guide. Exposure to this level over a lifetime may increase a
persons risk of developing cancer by a factor of 1 in 1,000,000.
REFERENCES
