Based upon information reviewed, this site is an indeterminate public health
hazard. As noted in the previous section, human exposure to low levels of several
organic chemicals is currently occurring via ingestion of drinking water from
off-site private wells. The levels of contamination found in these private drinking
water supplies are below health-based standards and would not be expected to
cause any adverse health effects. On-site monitoring wells in both the shallow
and deep aquifers have confirmed the presence of several organic contaminants
at levels that exceed NYS or Federal drinking water standards. The available
information on the extent of vertical and horizontal groundwater contamination
attributed to the site is incomplete. Contaminant levels and groundwater flow
direction in the bedrock aquifer could not be determined adequately because
of the restricted number and placement of deep monitoring wells as well as the
construction technique used. Until a complete characterization of the groundwater
contaminant plume or plumes has been completed, the full extent of present and
future effects on drinking water supplies in the area cannot be determined.
Work is presently being conducted to remove the sources of groundwater contamination
and a groundwater monitoring network has been established to detect any migration
of contaminants towards residential wells. However, contaminated off-site private
wells are to the east and south of the site where there are no existing monitoring
wells in either the shallow or bedrock aquifers. The current use of private
wells for drinking water and other domestic uses, makes contaminated groundwater
a health concern for residents near the Sarney Site.
Contaminated soils and drummed wastes buried on site may result in
potential human exposures through two mechanisms: as a continuing
source of groundwater contamination and through direct contact,
ingestion, and vapor emission. Of these two, the effect of the
contaminated soils as a source of present and future groundwater
contamination has the most serious effect on public health through
potential exposure to contaminated groundwater. As part of the
remedial activity proposed for this site, all buried drums and
contaminated soils surrounding the drums will be removed from the
site.
Anticipated remedial activities, which will remove buried drums and contaminated
soils, will increase the exposure to the on-site remedial workers and the surrounding
community. Exposure through inhalation of vapors or particulates, ingestion,
and dermal contact could be expected from excavation and disturbance of these
soils, only if Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines and recommendations
are not followed.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Private drinking water supply wells along Bensen Hill Road and Poplar Hill
Road should be monitored quarterly to insure that they are not contaminated
by site related contaminants. If wells become contaminated above NYS DOH standards,
an alternative water supply or treatment should be provided and will be requested
by NYS DOH. Currently, no off-site wells are contaminated above the NYS DOH
drinking water standards; however, this could change, and is the basis for
continued monitoring. The risk to residents would be eliminated with the provision
of alternate water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Procedures should be
put in place to ensure that people whose private wells have been sampled receive
their test results along with an interpretation promptly.
Additional environmental investigations should be completed to define further
the nature and extent of groundwater contamination associated with the Sarney
Site. This is especially needed in Area 2 of the site.
Access to the contaminated areas at the site should be restricted to prevent
exposures to contaminated soils. If contaminated soils will remain after the
proposed remedial activities, institutional controls should be implemented
to prevent future development of the property.
The safety of on-site remedial workers and the surrounding community should
be addressed during activities which will disturb the existing contaminated
soils and buried wastes at the site. Dust and vapor control along with perimeter
monitoring should be implemented during the remedial activities. NIOSH and
OSHA guidelines and recommendations should be followed by those completing
on-site investigations.
HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION
PANEL (HARP) RECOMMENDATION
The data and information developed in the public health assessment for the
Sarney Farm site, Amenia, New York, have been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities
Recommendation Panel (HARP) for appropriate follow up with respect to health
activities. Although low level exposure to contaminated drinking water has occurred
in the past, this site is not being considered for follow-up health activities
at this time because the exposure was below levels likely to cause illness and
disease. The panel determined, however, that community health education should
be performed; that is, persons should be notified of the results of testing
of water from their private wells and health implications, if contamination
is found. If additional data or information become available suggesting that
human exposure to hazardous substances, at levels likely to cause illness and
disease, is currently occurring or has occurred in the past, ATSDR will reevaluate
this site for any indicated follow up.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Sarney Property site
contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR, US EPA,
and/or the New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) at and
near the site subsequent to the completion of this public health
assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this 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
ATSDR/NYS DOH to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is
implemented. The public health actions to be implemented are as
follows:
The NYS DOH and US EPA will carry out sampling and testing of selected area
private residential wells to ensure that these potable supplies are suitable
for use and to assess the potential for contamination from the site. NYS DOH
will submit copies of the testing results accompanied with an interpretation
to all residents involved in future DOH sampling programs to educate the community
on the public health significance of any contaminants in their private well
water.
NYS DOH will coordinate with the appropriate agencies regarding actions
to be taken in response to those recommendations provided in this public health
assessment for which no plan of action has yet been developed.
NYS DOH will provide an annual follow-up to this PHAP, outlining the actions
completed and those in progress. This report will be placed in repositories
that contain copies of this public health assessment, and will be provided
to persons who request it.
CERTIFICATION
The Public Health Assessment for the Sarney Property site was prepared by
the New York State Department 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 initiated.
Gregory V. Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC),
ATSDR, has reviewed this Public Health Assessment and concurs
with its findings.
Robert C. Williams
Division Director, DHAC, ATSDR
PREPARERS OF THE REPORT
Kim L. Mann
Program Research Specialist III
and
Lloyd R. Wilson
Public Health Specialist (Environmental) III
Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation
NYS Department of Health
ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
Arthur Block
Regional Operations
Office of the Assistant
Administrator, ATSDR
ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER
Greg Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer
Division of Health Assessment
and Consultation, Remedial Programs Branch
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