PETITIONED PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
SMITHFIELD CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL DUMP
SMITHFIELD, PROVIDENCE COUNTY, RHODE ISLAND
Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite is an area formerly occupied by a lacquer manufacturing industry located in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Drums of a nitrocellulose resin have been found onsite and were promptly disposed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Community members are concerned that the chemical wastes dumped at this former industry are contributing to brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, and leukemia in Smithfield. This public health assessment is an evaluation of existing on and offsite environmental data, health outcome data, and addresses community health concerns related to the site.
An evaluation of onsite sediment sampling data showed semi-volatile compound (SVOC) contamination in the wetland area near Stillwater River. However, human contact with sediment in this area is infrequent and is not expected to result in adverse health effects. There were no contaminants detected in onsite subsurface soil samples at levels of health concern. Sampling results from two privately owned wells used by the public that are located one half mile from Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite showed no groundwater contamination of health concern.
Health outcome data from 1986 to 1997 show no unusual increase of brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, or leukemia in the Smithfield area. No link between the Smithfield Industrial Dumpsite and these types of cancer was identified.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has classified the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite as a No Apparent Public Health Hazard based on infrequent human contact with SVOCs detected in onsite sediment of the wetlands area near Stillwater River.
The Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite is a parcel of land formerly used by a chemical company that manufactured lacquers out of a nitrocellulose resin (old movie film) from 1949-1964 in Smithfield, Rhode Island. A local citizen petitioned the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to evaluate the association between the chemical wastes generated and dumped at the site and brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, and leukemia incidence in Smithfield [1]. ATSDR staff members visited the site and met with the petitioner, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) to collect environmental data, and identify community concerns for a public health assessment. The purpose of this public health assessment is to assess the potential public health implications related to the site by evaluating existing environmental data, health outcome data, and addressing community health concerns.
Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite is located on a seven acre parcel of land in a residential area. The nearest residence is one eighth of a mile from the site with a high school next to it. From 1949 to 1964, Smithfield Chemical manufactured lacquers onsite from nitrocellulose, an extremely flammable chemical which used several different solvents [2]. Solvent wastes were allegedly dumped onsite [3]. There were ten major fires at the facility resulting from explosions; two of these fires caused the deaths of three men [2]. A fire finally destroyed the plant in 1964 [3]. The ruins were plowed to one area and covered with fill. The town of Smithfield acquired the land in 1964 [3]. In 1983, RIDEM received a complaint a drum was exposed on the former Smithfield Chemical property behind the Smithfield High School. RIDEM investigated the site and found one drum containing nitrocellulose resin, scattered nitrocellulose, and piles of demolition waste material [2]. A sample of the drum contents was analyzed and confirmed the material inside the drum was nitrocellulose. The drum was removed by RIDEM and properly disposed. The remaining demolition and debris materials were covered with clean fill dirt [2]. A 1990 RIDEM field investigation notes pieces of nitrocellulose scattered throughout the site and so was another partially exposed empty drum [4]. Site access is currently not restricted. There are foot paths connecting residential areas to the adjacent high school. There is also a thick cover of vegetation throughout the site.
In 1990, further sampling activities were conducted by RIDEM. Onsite subsurface soil samples were collected and analyzed for chemical contamination. Sediment samples from a stream which flows through the site (Stillwater River) were also collected and analyzed. Metals were detected in the soil samples. One sediment sample contained the volatile organic compound (VOC) xylene and some semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Soil and sediment contamination are discussed further in the Extent of Contamination section of this document. RIDOH conducted a private well survey to identify how many private wells are in use near the site [2]. There was no public response to the survey because most Smithfield residents obtain drinking water from a local municipality. However, RIDOH identified two privately owned public wells near Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite. A local day care center used one of the two wells for potable water until the center closed in 1994. The other private well is currently used for potable water by a sportsman's club. Both private wells were tested for metals and VOCs. No contaminants were detected of health concern in either of the wells.
The community's primary concern is that the past chemical waste disposal practices of Smithfield Chemical are attributing to brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, and leukemia incidences near the site. Residents are concerned that high school students are being exposed to chemical wastes by walking across the old dumpsite to access the adjacent high school. The community also wants to know if the chemical wastes have impacted the groundwater.
There are 5,396 people living within a one mile radius of Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite (Appendix A) [5]. The population is 99% white, and 1% is black, Hispanic, Asian or another race. Of the total population, 9% are under age 6 years old and 14% are age 65 years and older. In 1990 there were 1,211 females of reproductive age (15-44 years) in the area.
The following sections contain an evaluation of the available environmental data pertaining to the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite. In preparing this evaluation, ATSDR staff members used established methodologies for determining how people may be exposed to potential contamination related to the site and what harmful effects, if any, may result from such exposure. For a further discussion of these methodologies, and the methods of selecting contaminants for further evaluation, refer to Appendix C.
Extent of Contamination and Public Health Implications
Subsurface soil and sediment were analyzed for 8 metals, 26 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and pesticides, 31 VOCs, and 57 SVOCs from seven onsite locations (refer to Appendix B, Table 1). Soil samples were collected at depths ranging from 6 to 12 inches below the surface. Sampling results for onsite soil and sediment are located in Appendix B, Table 1. There were no contaminants detected in subsurface soil samples above ATSDR or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) comparison values(1) which were used to evaluate the extent of contamination. Therefore, exposure to onsite soil is not expected to cause adverse health effects in people who walk across the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite to access the high school.
One sediment sample from the wetland area next to Stillwater River contained 3 out of 57 SVOCs above comparison values(2): benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, and dibenzo (a,h) anthracene. Comparison values do not exist for two other SVOCs that were also detected in the wetland area: benzo (g,h,i) perlene, and phenanthrene. The SVOCs detected in the sediment sample from the wetlands area of Stillwater River have similar chemical characteristics. Benzo (a) pyrene, dibenzo (a,h) anthracene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, benzo (g,h,i) perlene and phenanthrene are mainly a component of incomplete fuel product combustion [6]. These chemicals readily attach to soil and sediment particles, generally do not leach or drain into groundwater, and are considered immobile [6]. The maximum concentrations of the SVOCs were: 3.3 parts per million (ppm) of benzo (a) pyrene; 2.3 ppm of dibenzo (a,h) anthracene; 8.6 ppm of benzo (b) flouroanthene, 2.0 ppm of benzo (g,h,i) perlene; and 6.3 ppm of phenanthrene. The concentrations reported of these SVOCs are slightly higher than those detected in soils throughout the United States [6]. However, frequent human contact with soil and sediment in this wetland area is not likely and the concentrations detected in the soil are 100-1000 times less than levels reported to cause health effects [6]. ATSDR concludes that infrequent exposure to the SVOCs detected in the onsite soil and sediment is not expected to cause adverse health effects.
The groundwater flow in Smithfield is in a south, southeasterly direction towards the Stillwater River. Site runoff is presumed to flow the same direction based on the topography. Most residents hydrologically downgradient from the site have been supplied municipal water from the Greenville Water District since the late 1960s and do not rely on groundwater [7]. The Greenville Water District purchases water from a Providence municipality that obtains water from the Scituate Reservoir located nine miles from the site [8].
Municipal water is the primary source of potable water to homes and businesses around Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite [7]. Although past private well usage information is not available, RIDOH conducted a private well survey in 1993 to identify the number of private wells within one half mile of Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite that relied on private wells currently or in the past as source of potable water [9]. There was no public response to the well survey.However, RIDOH identified two privately owned public wells were identified near Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite. Pleasant View Day Care Center used a privately owned public well until the center closed in 1994 [7]. The Smithfield Sportsman's Club currently uses a privately owned public well and is located one half mile hydrologically downgradient (southeast) of the site. These wells are tested routinely for water quality by RIDOH because they serve drinking water to the public. ATSDR reviewed the groundwater sampling data from these wells to evaluate the water quality [7]. There were no contaminants detected at levels of health concern in either of these wells [10]. If chemical disposal practices by Smithfield Chemical contaminated groundwater, contaminants may be detected in the Smithfield Sportsman's Club private well water since it is hydrologically downgradient. Currently, the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite has not affected the private well water quality at the Smithfield Sportsman's Club or Pleasant View Day Care Center private wells.
RIDEM has reported scattered industrial debris and nitrocellulose throughout the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite in the past. Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable material and can be hazardous if ingested [11]. Although no significant soil contamination was found relating to past industrial activities, site access is not restricted allowing the potential for human contact with industrial debris and nitrocellulose. Site access should be restricted to prevent human contact with potentially dangerous materials.
ATSDR considers infants and children in the evaluation of all potential exposures to hazardous substances. Infants and children are at greater risk than adults from certain kinds of exposure to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites and emergency events. They are more likely to be exposed for several reasons: 1) children play outside more often than adults, increasing their likelihood to come more in contact with chemicals in the environment; 2) children are shorter than adults, causing them to breathe more dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground; 3) children are smaller, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per body weight; and 4) children's developing body systems can sustain damage if toxic exposures occur during certain growth stages.
Many children live in Smithfield adjacent to the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite. ATSDR closely reviewed possible exposure situations to children while evaluating environmental data pertaining to the site. ATSDR did not identify any exposures to children that are likely to result in adverse health effects.
Residents of Smithfield expressed concern that the chemical manufacturing and disposal practices of Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite would result in an increased incidence of brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, and leukemia in the community. ATSDR reviewed available cancer data that were provided by RIDOH and the Rhode Island Cancer Registry [12].
Many state and local health agencies collect data on the number of people who have been diagnosed with cancer each year and classified these cancer cases into different categories (e.g., skin, liver, breast, prostate, colon, etc.). These are usually defined by the type of cell affected in the body. Depending on the available data, the rate of specific cancers can be determined for certain populations within a state, an entire state population, or the entire United States population. The Rhode Island Cancer Registry has collected information on all reported new cancer cases diagnosed in the state since 1986. Cancer "incidence" is the number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer during a particular time period, usually in years. This number is compared to a population where the cancer rates would be stable and represent the normal number expected in a population of a particular size. ATSDR reviewed health statistics provided by RIDOH. These statistics are based on an evaluation of the cancer incidence from 1986-1997 of the population near Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite in census tract 12,701 of Providence County. Based on the data reviewed, ATSDR provides the following summary:
Age adjusted cancer incidence rates were calculated for brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, and all types of leukemia by sex in census tract 12,701, which consisted of a population of 4,689 in 1990 [13]. In other words, the observed number of new cases of a particular type of cancer that was reported to have occurred in the residents from 1986-1997 was compared to the statewide average age-adjusted incidence rate for the same time period. The report identified no increase in the rate of brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, or any type of leukemia when compared to rates for Rhode Island.
Cancer is a complex disease that often involves multiple "risk" factors, such as environment, lifestyle (smoking, drinking, diet, etc.), prevention screening (health check-ups), and family medical history. Health outcome data have its limitations and biases in that these evaluations do not account for any of these "risk" factors. Furthermore, apparent increases or decreases in cancer incidence over time may reflect changes in diagnostic methods or case reporting rather than true changes in cancer incidence. Likewise, analyzing cancer patterns by city or census tract may be arbitrary and an inaccurate way of assessing the relationship between geographical location and cancer. For example, the city or town shown on a death certificate, or even in the Rhode Island Cancer Registry, may not be where the person resided most of his or her life. The analysis of cancer patterns in certain towns or cities may help define areas to target for further health care strategies.
Although specific environmental exposures and other health risk factors are not known, no plausible link was identified by ATSDR between exposure to onsite soil or sediment and brain cancer, Hodgkin's Disease, or all types of leukemia.
ATSDR uses one of five conclusion categories to summarize our findings of the site. These categories are: 1) Urgent Public Health Hazard, 2) Public Health Hazard, 3) Indeterminate Health Hazard, 4) No Apparent Public Health Hazard, and 5) No Public Health Hazard. A category is selected from site specific conditions such as the degree of public health hazard based on the presence and duration of human exposure, contaminant concentration, the nature of toxic effects associated with site related contaminants, presence of physical hazards, and community health concerns. Based on these criteria, ATSDR determined that Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite is presently a No Apparent Public Health Hazard based on the infrequent contact with SVOCs detected in onsite sediment.
The actions described in this section are designed to ensure that this public health assessment identifies public health hazards and provides a plan of action to mitigate and prevent adverse health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.
Actions Completed:
Action Ongoing:
Action Planned:
Kimberly K. Chapman, MSEH
Environmental Health Scientist
ATSDR/DHAC/EICB/PRS
Reviewers of Report:
Don Joe, PE
Section Chief
ATSDR/DHAC/EICB/PRS
John E. Abraham, PhD
Branch Chief
ATSDR/DHAC/EICB
Review and Approval of This Public Health Assessment for Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dumpsite
Concurrence:
Environmental Health Scientist, DHAC, EICB, PRS
Section Chief, DHAC, EICB, PRS
Branch Chief, DHAC, EICB
APPENDIX A: SITE MAP AND DEMOGRAPHICS
Figure 1. Site Map and Demographics
APPENDIX B: SOIL AND SEDIMENT SAMPLING RESULTS
Table 1 : Onsite Sampling Results* in 1991
| Contaminant | Soil Concentration Range ppm |
Sediment Concentration
Range ppm |
Background Soil ppm |
Comparison Value | |
| Value ppm | Source | ||||
| Arsenic | 0.9 - 2.59 | 0.6 - 3.5 | 3.1 | 20 | cEMEG |
| Barium | 52 - 60 | 35 - 459 | 39 | 4,000 | RMEG |
| Cadmium | ND - 2 | ND | ND | 40 | cEMEG |
| Chromium | 32 - 33 | 22 - 737 | 13 | 50,000 | iEMEG |
| Lead | 24 - 27 | 13 - 81 | 7 | 400 | RBC |
| Selenium | ND | ND - 0.6 | ND | 300 | RMEG |
| Xylene | ND | ND - 2.7 | ND | 10,000 | iEMEG |
| Anthracene | ND | ND - 3.2 | ND | 20,000 | RMEG |
| Benzo (a) anthracene | ND | ND - 2.2 | ND | 7.8 | RBC |
| Benzo (b) flouranthene | ND | ND - 8.6 | ND | 7.8 | RBC |
| Benzo (a) pyrene | ND | ND - 3.3 | ND | 0.78 | RBC |
| Benzo (g,h,i) perlene | ND | ND - 2 | ND | NA | NA |
| Chrysene | ND | ND - 4.4 | ND | 780 | RBC |
| Dibenzo (a,h) anthracene | ND | ND - 2.3 | ND | 0.78 | RBC |
| Flouroanthene | ND | ND - 13 | ND | 3100 | RBC |
| Indeno(1,2,3) pyrene | ND | ND - 3.4 | ND | 7.8 | RBC |
| Phenanthrene | ND | ND - 6.3 | ND | NA | NA |
| Pyrene | ND | ND -15 | ND | 61,000 | RBC |
| Endosulfan | ND - 0.2 | ND | ND | 8.1 | RBC |
| iEMEG = Intermediate Environmental Media Evaluation Guides, cEMEG =Chronic Environmental Media Evaluation Guides, ND = Not Detected, NA = No Comparison Value Available, RMEG = Reference Dose Media Evaluation Guide, RBC = Risk-Based Concentration, ppm = parts per million | |||||
APPENDIX C: EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND POTENTIAL EXPOSURES PATHWAYS METHODOLOGY
Quality Assurance
In preparing this report, ATSDR relied on the information provided in the referenced documents and by contacts with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), and the community members. ATSDR assumes that adequate quality assurance and control measures were taken during chain-of-custody, laboratory procedures, and data reporting. The validity of the analyses and conclusions drawn in this document are determined by the availability and reliability of the information.
Human Exposure Pathway Evaluation and the use of ATSDR Comparison Values
ATSDR assesses a site by evaluating the level of exposure in potential or completed exposure pathways. An exposure pathway is the way chemicals may enter a person's body to cause a health effect. It includes all the steps between the release of a chemical and the population exposed: (1) a chemical release source, (2) chemical movement, (3) a place where people can come into contact with the chemical, (4) a route of human exposure, and (5) a population that could be exposed. In this assessment, ATSDR evaluates chemicals that people living in nearby residences may consume or come into contact with.
Data evaluators use comparison values (CVs), which are screening tools used to evaluate environmental data that is relevant to the exposure pathways. Comparison values are concentrations of contaminants that are considered to be safe levels of exposure. Comparison values used in this document include ATSDR environmental media evaluation guide (EMEG) and cancer risk evaluation guide (CREG). Comparison values are derived from available health guidelines, such as ATSDR minimal risk levels and EPA's cancer slope factor.
The derivation of a comparison value uses conservative exposure assumptions, resulting in values that are much lower than exposure concentrations observed to cause adverse health effects; thus, insuring the comparison values are protective of public health in essentially all exposure situations. That is, if the concentrations in the exposure medium are less than the CV, the exposures are not of health concern and no further analysis of the pathway is required. However, while concentrations below the comparison value are not expected to lead to any observable health effect, it should not be inferred that a concentration greater than the comparison value will necessarily lead to adverse effects. Depending on site-specific environmental exposure factors (for example, duration of exposure) and activities of people that result in exposure (time spent in area of contamination), exposure to levels above the comparison value may or may not lead to a health effect. Therefore, ATSDR comparison values are not used to predict the occurrence of adverse health effects.
The comparison values used in this evaluation are defined as follows: The CREG is a concentration at which excess cancer risk is not likely to exceed one case of cancer in a million persons exposed over a lifetime. The CREG is a very conservative CV that is used to estimate cancer risk. Exposure to a concentration equal to or less than the CREG is defined as an insignificant risk and is an acceptable level of exposure over a lifetime. The risk from exposure is not considered as a significant risk unless the exposure concentration is approximately 10 times the CREG and exposure occurs over several years. The EMEG is a concentration at which daily exposure for a lifetime is unlikely to result in adverse noncancerous effects. When these comparison values are not available for specific chemicals, ATSDR uses risk-based comparison values (RBC) that were derived by the Environmental Protection Agency. RBC values are used to evaluate exposure situations, health risk, and to establish environmental cleanup goals.
Selecting Contaminants of Concern
Contaminants of concern (COCs) are the site-specific chemical substances that the health assessor selects for further evaluation of potential health effects. Identifying contaminants of concern is a process that requires the assessor to examine contaminant concentrations at the site, the quality of environmental sampling data, and the potential for human exposure. A thorough review of each of these issues is required to accurately select COCs in the site-specific human exposure pathway. The following text describes the selection process.
In the first step of the COC selection process, the maximum contaminant concentrations are compared directly to health comparison values. ATSDR considers site-specific exposure factors to ensure selection of appropriate health comparison values. If the maximum concentration reported for a chemical was less than the health comparison value, ATSDR concluded that exposure to that chemical was not of public health concern; therefore, no further data review was required for that chemical. However, if the maximum concentration was greater than the health comparison value, the chemical was selected for additional data review. In addition, any chemicals detected that did not have relevant health comparison values were also selected for additional data review.
Comparison values have not been developed for some contaminants, and, based on new scientific information other comparison values may be determined to be inappropriate for the specific type of exposure. In those cases, the contaminants are included as contaminants of concern if current scientific information indicates exposure to those contaminants may be of public health concern.
The next step of the process requires a more in-depth review of data for each of the contaminants selected. Factors used in the selection of the COCs included the number of samples with detections above the minimum detection limit, the number of samples with detections above an acute or chronic health comparison value, and the potential for exposure at the monitoring location.
ATSDR held a public comment period February 10 to March 26, 1999 to address further questions or comments regarding the Smithfield Chemical Industrial Dump Public Health Assessment. No public comments were received by ATSDR during this time period.
