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  1. ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

SAND GRAVEL AND STONE SITE
ELKTON, MARYLAND


CONCLUSIONS

  1. The Maryland Sand, Gravel, and Stone site currently poses no apparent public health hazard if implementation of the ROD continues; however, in the past, the site did pose a public health hazard. Elevated levels of surface contaminants appear to be confined to the Eastern Excavated Area, which is fenced and monitored by a 24-hour-a-day guard. In the past, access to the EEA was unrestricted and there was ample evidence of site trespass, including vandalism and on-site use of recreational vehicles.

  2. Recent private well sampling data indicate that one private well west of the site contains low levels of VOCs. The contamination is not believed to be related to the site. The resident is supplied bottled water. However, exposure continues through inhalation of volatilized constituents and through dermal contact with contaminants in the water when the resident showers and performs other household chores.

  3. Exposure to airborne contaminants is considered a completed exposure pathway because of past complaints by local residents and site inspectors of physical discomfort resulting from exposure to airborne contaminants. If individuals entered the site in the past, it is possible that they would have been exposed to contaminants by inhalation, incidental ingestion of soil, or by direct dermal contact with soils, sediments, or surface water. It is possible, however, that drinking water wells could become contaminated in the future. At greatest risk are wells that are directly downgradient (south) of the site. The Record of Decision for the Phase II investigation requires periodic monitoring of off-site wells.

  4. Data gaps exist with respect to the characterization of contamination in shallow on-site surface soils (i.e., the top 3 inches of soil) and in on- and off-site air. Data are also incomplete for Mill Creek sediments immediately downstream from the site.

  5. Residents living near the site in 1976 and 1979 complained of exposure to strong odors from the site and unspecified health effects resulting from this exposure. In 1976, some local residents filed a law suit against MSGS and the principal generator of chemical wastes, claiming health effects from exposure to airborne contaminants. Recent health concerns that were expressed during the public comment period for this public health assessment are primarily regarding cancer rates in the area. Those concerns are addressed in Appendix B.

  6. Evaluation of health outcome data indicate that two types of birth defects, spina bifida and Down Syndrome, occurred at a higher rate among Cecil County births that for the State of Maryland as a whole. After evaluation of the information available, the higher rate of those types of birth cannot be linked to exposures to site contaminants.

RECOMMENDATIONS

A. Recommendations and HARP Statement

Recommendations

The following actions are recommended:

  1. Continue to conduct regular monitoring of residential wells that could be potentially affected by site contamination (required in ROD for Phase II).

  2. Determine the source of contamination in RW10. Consider providing a whole-house treatment system to eliminate exposure through inhalation and skin contact.

  3. Continue to monitor groundwater in all aquifers beneath the site after remediation (required in ROD for Phase II).

  4. Implement dust suppression measures to reduce potential exposures to people on and off the site during any remedial activities which involve disturbance of the soil.

  5. Sample sediments from the previously uncharacterized section of Mill Creek, and analyze the samples for metals and semivolatile compounds.

HARP Statement

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended, requires ATSDR to perform public health actions needed at hazardous waste sites. To determine if public health actions are needed, ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) has evaluated the data and information developed in the Maryland Sand, Gravel, and Stone Public Health Assessment. Because there are no indications that people have been exposed to contaminants at levels that may cause illness or disease, HARP determined that no follow-up health actions are indicated at this time. If the commenters express concerns during the public comment period, the Agency will consider programs to provide the residents with information about the public health assessment and their potential for exposure to site contaminants. If new information becomes available indicating exposure at levels of concern, ATSDR will evaluate that information to determine what actions, if any, are necessary.

Public Health Actions

The public health action plan (PHAP) for the Maryland Sand, Gravel, and Stone site contains a description of actions to be taken by MDE, ATSDR, and/or other governmental agencies at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this public health assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. Included is a commitment on the part of MDE and ATSDR to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented.

  1. When appropriate, MDE will communicate with local residents to provide information and assistance in understanding their potential for exposure to hazardous substances.

  2. MDE will contact EPA to ensure that all recommendations are considered for implementation.

PREPARERS OF THE REPORT

Principal Authors:

Peter Ashley, M.P.H.
Environmental Toxicologist
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment Division
Maryland Department of the Environment

Robert L. Sprando, PhD
Environmental Toxicologist
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment Division
Maryland Department of the Environment

Data and Technical Reviewers:

Carolyn Nunley, M.P.H.
Division Chief
Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment Division
Maryland Department of the Environment

David Healy
Joseph Phelan
Federal and State Superfund Division
Waste Management Administration
Maryland Department of the Environment

Sonja Marable, Typist
Secretary
Maryland Department of the Environment

ATSDR REPRESENTATIVES

Charles Walters
Senior Regional Representative
Office of Regional Operations
Region III

Gail D. Godfrey
Technical Project Officer
State Programs Section
ATSDR, Atlanta


CERTIFICATION

The Maryland Sand, Gravel, and Stone Site Public Health Assessment has been prepared by the Maryland Department of the Environment 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 initiated.

Gail D. Godfrey
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health assessment and concurs with its findings.

Robert C. Williams, P. E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR


REFERENCES

  1. Ecology and Environment, Inc. A Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection of Maryland Sand and Gravelstone Company, Route 40, Elkton, Maryland. TDD No. F3-8201-25. EPA No. MD-33. Task Report to the Environmental Protection Agency. May 7, 1982.

  2. Phase I Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) Report, Sand, Gravel, and Stone Site, Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland. Final Draft Report. EPA Contract No. 68-01-6699. NUS Corporation Subcontract No. Z0830902. AEPCO Project No. 8311. Aepco, Inc. July, 1985.

  3. The Phase I Record of Decision (ROD)/Remedial Alternative Selection, Maryland, Stand Gravel and Stone, Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland, September 30, 1985.

  4. Record of Decision (ROD). Remedial Alternative Selection. Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (Phase II). Maryland Sand, Gravel, and Stone Site. Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 28, 1990.

  5. Final Phase II Remedial Investigation. Maryland Sand, Gravel and Stone Site. Elkton, Maryland. Volume 1 - Text. Dames and Moore. D&M Job No. 1789-057/060-27. May 22, 1989.

  6. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Preliminary Health Assessment for Sand, Gravel and Stone Site. Elkton, Maryland. February 2, 1989.

  7. Bioassessment of Maryland Sand/Gravel/Stone Site. Part 1: Field Assessment. Prepared for: Clean Sites, Inc., Alexandria, Virginia. Prepared by: CDR Environmental Specialists, Inc., Stow, Massachusetts. September, 1988.

  8. Final Phase II Remedial Investigation. Maryland Sand, Gravel and Stone Site. Elkton, Maryland. Volume 2 - Appendices. Dames and Moore. D&M Job No. 1789-057/060-27. September 1, 1989.

  9. Quality Assurance Review of the Maryland Sand, Gravel and Stone Project. Environmental Standards, Inc. August 28, 1990.

  10. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Arsenic. Atlanta: ATSDR/TP-88/02, March 1989.

  11. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Cadmium. ATSDR/TP-88/08, March 1989.

  12. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Benzene. ATSDR/TP-88/03, May 1989.

  13. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate. ATSDR/TP-88/15. April 1989.

  14. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Chlorobenzene. ATSDR/TP-90/06. December 1990.

  15. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for 1,2-Dichloroethane. ATSDR/TP-89/10. December 1989.

  16. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Ethylbenzene. ATSDR/TP-90/15. December 1990.

  17. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride. ATSDR/TP-88/18. April 1989.

  18. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Tetrachloroethylene. ATSDR/TP-88/22. October 1989.

  19. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Toluene. ATSDR/TP-89/23. December, 1989.

  20. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for 1,1,1-Trichloroethane. ATSDR/TP-90/27. December 1989.

  21. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Trichloroethylene. ATSDR/TP-88/24. October 1989.

  22. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Vinyl Chloride. ATSDR/TP-88/25. August 1989.

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