Figure 1. Site Location Map
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
VIENNA TETRACHLOROETHENE
VIENNA, WOOD COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA
The Vienna Tetrachloroethene site, also known as the Vienna Cleaners site, is located in a light commercial and residential area of downtown Vienna, Wood County, West Virginia. The city of Vienna lies in a valley along the eastern bank of the Ohio River. The Vienna Cleaners facility is situated one block northwest of the Vienna City Hall and is surrounded by private businesses and single family dwellings. Dry cleaning operations were conducted at the Vienna Cleaners facility from the late 1940's until the mid-1990's . Past practices at the cleaner included pouring waste tetrachloroethene (PCE), a dry cleaning solvent, on the ground behind the facility. Spills of PCE from outdoor aboveground solvent tanks were also reported. The quantity of waste PCE disposed of at the Vienna Cleaners is not known.
Former workers at the cleaners and residents that lived within about a one block radius of the site were likely exposed to PCE in on-site and off-site soil. In addition, PCE contamination from this site migrated into four city wells. ATSDR estimates that for less than one year, PCE - contaminated drinking water was provided to Vienna residents. The contaminated wells were closed in 1992.
Based upon data reviewed and observations made, the Vienna Tetrachloroethene Superfund Site is currently categorized by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a Public Health Hazard. The available data shows that humans were likely exposed to low levels of PCE and TCE in the past from soil and ground water contamination and could potentially be exposed to PCE and TCE in the future if the ground water plume reaches the municipal water wells currently in operation at levels that could cause adverse health effects. Current scientific literature suggests that prolonged exposure to PCE and TCE may increase an adult's chance of having a stroke and developing liver or kidney cancer. Limited scientific evidence also suggest that children exposed as fetuses to PCE and TCE may have an increased chance of being born and diagnosed (at the time of birth or shortly there after) with birth defects (e.g., central nervous system defects, neural tube defects, and oral cleft defects). However, the concentrations of PCE and the duration of exposures at the Vienna Cleaners were less than what was seen in these studies.
In this public health assessment, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), evaluates the public health significance of the proposed Vienna Tetrachloroethene National Priorities List (NPL) site in Vienna, Wood County, West Virginia. ATSDR has reviewed available environmental and health outcome data and community health concerns to determine whether adverse health effects are possible. In addition, this public health assessment recommends actions to reduce, prevent, or identify more clearly the possibility for site-related adverse health effects. ATSDR, in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the agencies of the U.S. Public Health Service. The Superfund law (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 [CERCLA] as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization act of 1986 [SARA]) requires ATSDR to conduct public health assessments of hazardous waste sites within 1 year of the site's proposal to the NPL. On April 23, 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Vienna Tetrachloroethene site be considered for the NPL.
A. Site Description and History
The Vienna Tetrachloroethene NPL site is located in an urban residential and commercial area surrounding the City of Vienna Municipal Building and Vienna Cleaners. The City of Vienna is located in Wood County, West Virginia, and lies in a valley along the eastern bank of the Ohio River. The Vienna Cleaners facility is located one block northwest of the Vienna Municipal Building and is surrounded by private businesses and single family dwellings. Dry cleaning operations were conducted from the late 1940's until the mid 1990's (1).
Vienna's public water supply system supplies everyone's drinking water in the city. Six of Vienna's 12 municipal wells, located in the direct vicinity of the Vienna Cleaners facility, were taken off-line on June 11, 1992 because elevated levels of tetrachloroethene (PCE) contamination were detected. The Vienna Water Department began testing for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in the city water distribution system in 1988, to comply with new requirements of the1986 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendment. From 1988 through 1990, no PCE was detected in the city water distribution system during testing for VOCs within a one mile radius of the Vienna Cleaners facility.
In April and September of 1991, PCE with levels of 64 parts per billion (ppb) and 20 ppb respectively were detected at a business and residence. In February 1992, Municipal Wells 1-4 located in the vicinity of the City Hall had the highest PCE concentrations ever detected during the routine testing for VOCs. Levels of 170, 390, 8 and 7 ppb were detected respectively in wells 1-4 (2). On June 11, 1992, the city discontinued use of wells 1-4 because of these elevated levels. Based on results of PCE testing, ATSDR estimates that people were exposed to PCE contamination within a one year time period from 1991 to 1992. The EPA used emergency funds to build two new municipal wells which were brought on-line in March of 1997 (2).
The water distribution system for the city is not zoned. When water leaves the supply wells it is blended through chlorine contact chambers for thirty minutes. Booster pumps are used to pump the water from the water wells into the distribution system at a rate of 600 hundred gallons per minute. Since 1988, the water system has been sampled once a month for VOCs by the Vienna Water Department and is also tested by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR).
Past disposal practices at the cleaners included pouring waste PCE, on the ground behind the site. PCE spills from outdoor aboveground solvent storage tanks also occurred. The site is classified as a small quantity generator by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (1). Elevated levels of PCE have been detected in surface and subsurface soils at the site, in ground water beneath the site, and in the city sewers near the site (See Appendix C).
On March 29, 2000, representatives from ATSDR and EPA visited the site and the city of Vienna. The source of the PCE contamination emanated from the Vienna Cleaners site, which is no longer operational.
That same day, representatives from ATSDR conducted a public availability meeting and interviewed citizens in Vienna. A total of eighty-two citizens attended the meeting (8). The citizens had concerns and questions about various illnesses identified in the community and the possibility of the illnesses being attributed to PCE exposure. Representatives attempted to answer questions and recorded concerns so they could be addressed in the health assessment.
C. Demographics, Land Use, and Natural Resource Use
Approximately 7,657 people live within a one mile radius of the site. The racial mixture is as follows: 7,592 Whites, 33 Blacks, 25 Asians, 13 Latinos, 4 American Indians, and 2 other (4).
Vienna has 11,000 residents and 14,500 residents overall that rely on the city's eight active municipal wells for their water supply (1). The land surrounding the site is mostly commercial businesses, urbanized residences and the Vienna Municipal Building . The depth to ground water in the vicinity of the city hall building and the cleaners is 55 feet (3).
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND OTHER HAZARDS
ATSDR has evaluated all of the available environmental monitoring data to determine what environmental contaminants and which specific areas on the site may be a concern. Comparison values (CV) were used to determine which contaminants should be examined more closely. A CV is a health-based threshold below which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons should occur. CVs allow an adequate margin of safety. The contaminant tables in Appendix C identify the CVs for each contaminant. Appendix A contains definitions of CVs used in this public health assessment.
A contaminant is evaluated further if the contaminant level in a valid environmental sample exceeds comparison values. The presence of a chemical in the contaminant tables does not mean that exposures to the contaminant or adverse health effects have occurred or will occur. Later sections of this public health assessment contain more detailed discussions of the potential for adverse human health effects as a result of any exposures to the selected contaminants. This document focuses on those contaminants which posed a reasonable potential for human exposure.
In 1993, during soil gas monitoring at the site, EPA detected PCE and trichloroethene (TCE) at levels above the CV. PCE and TCE were detected at maximum concentrations of 28,000 ug/L and 710 ug/L The chemicals are identified in Table 1, Appendix C, and further evaluated in the pathway analysis section.
In 1993, EPA collected subsurface soil samples (6"-12") on-site and analyzed for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). PCE and TCE were detected in subsurface soils at levels above the CV. PCE and TCE were detected at maximum concentrations of 190,000 ppb and 470 ppb. The chemicals are identified in Table 2, Appendix C, and further evaluated in the pathway analysis section.
In 1992, drinking water was collected from the public water supply wells #1 through #4 at the well site and analyze for VOCs. The VOCs detected were above the CV. PCE detected in well #2, (390 ppb) had the highest maximum concentration in a contributing well to the drinking water municipal well system. These chemicals are identified in Table 3, Appendix C, and further evaluated in the pathway analysis section.
In 1997, surface soil was collected from soil boring sample #4 at the well field site and analyzed for VOCs. The VOCs detected equaled the CV. PCE was detected at a maximum concentration of 20,000 ppb in the surface soil. These chemicals are identified in Table 2, Appendix C, and further evaluated in the pathway analysis section.
In 1997, ground water was collected from soil boring samples #2 and #8 at the well field site and analyzed for VOCs. The VOCs detected were above the CV. PCE and TCE were detected at maximum concentrations of 34,000 ppb and 65 ppb in the ground water. These chemicals are identified in Table 3, Appendix C, and further evaluated in the pathway analysis section.
The Vienna Cleaners is no longer in operation and the physical structure of the building is very sound and appears to present no safety hazards. No property boundary signs were identified during the site visit and no signs of trespassing were noticed during the site visit.
This section presents evaluations of the possible environmental pathways that help determine whether individuals have been, are being, or will be exposed to site-related contaminants. Environmental pathways can be completed or potential. A completed pathway indicates that human exposure to contaminants has occurred in the past, is occurring, or will occur in the future (9). A potential exposure pathway indicates that human exposure to contaminants could have occurred in the past, could be occurring, or could occur in the future. An exposure pathway can be eliminated from consideration if exposure has never occurred and never will occur. If there is uncertainty about the site relatedness of the contaminants of concern in an exposure pathway, the pathway will be evaluated as if the contaminants were related.
A. Completed Exposure Pathways On-site
Completed On-Site Subsurface Soil Exposure Pathway
Table 1 (Appendix D) lists the components of the completed environmental exposure pathway for onsite soil. Data sampling collected from the Vienna Cleaners site showed elevated levels of PCE and TCE in the soil. This pathway is considered completed because exposure to PCE and TCE at levels above the comparison value (CV) occurred or could occur from contact with subsurface soil. The possible health impact of this completed exposure pathway is evaluated in the Public Health Implications Section.
Completed On-Site Air Exposure Pathway
Table 1 (Appendix D) lists the components of the completed environmental exposure pathway for onsite air, based on soil gas monitoring. Data sampling collected from the Vienna Cleaners showed elevated levels of PCE and TCE in soil gas and is considered complete, even though no ambient air data is available. This is because exposure to PCE and TCE at levels above the CV may have occurred in the past from inhalation of soil gases when the site was operational. The possible health impact of this completed exposure pathway is evaluated in the Public Health Implications Section.
B. Completed and Potential Exposure Pathways Off-site
Completed Off-Site Drinking Water Exposure Pathway
Table 2 (Appendix D) lists the components of the completed environmental exposure pathway for off-site drinking water. Ground water sampling from off-site showed elevated levels of PCE and TCE at the Vienna Oil Refinery and the Vienna municipal well field sites. Drinking water samples from the tap confirmed that the contaminants entered the city of Vienna's drinking water supply system. The pathway is considered completed because exposure to PCE and TCE at levels above the CV occurred from drinking and having contact with drinking water. The possible health impact of this completed exposure pathway is further evaluated in the Public Health Implications Section.
Completed Off-Site Surface Soil Exposure Pathway
Table 2 (Appendix D) lists the components of the completed environmental exposure pathway for off-site surface soil. Surface soil sampling from off-site showed elevated levels of PCE in the surface soil. The pathway is considered completed because exposure to PCE at levels equal to the CV occurred. The possible health impact of this completed exposure pathway is further evaluated in the Public Health Implications section.
Future Potential Exposure
If remediation of the site is not completed, the PCE and TCE contamination from the shallow ground water plume that supplies drinking water to the remaining on-line wells in the surrounding area of the City of Vienna could become contaminated. The plume is located in the vicinity of 29th St. and Grand Central and 30th St. and Grand Central and emanates from the source at the Vienna Cleaners and appears to be migrating in the northwest direction towards active municipal wells #7 and #8. However, this plume is moving slowly and EPA plans to monitor groundwater upgradient from municipal wells #7 and #8 on a quarterly basis.
This section covers the potential health hazard from exposure to specific contaminants in environmental media, including ground water, soil, air, and biota.
To evaluate potential health effects, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has developed minimum risk levels (MRLs) for contaminants commonly found at hazardous waste sites. The MRL, similar to the reference dose (RfD) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is an estimate of daily human exposure to a contaminant below which non-cancer, adverse health effects are unlikely to occur (4). In the health assessment, we estimated the dose of a contaminant to individual persons and compared the dose at this site with ATSDR's MRL or EPA's RfD. Any exposure dose below the appropriate MRL or RfD is unlikely to cause a non-cancer health hazard to humans. ATSDR presents the MRLs in toxicological profiles. These chemical-specific profiles provide information on health effects, environmental transport, human exposure, and regulatory status. To address the health impacts of contaminants at this site, we used the toxicological information in ATSDR's toxicological profiles for tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE).
TCE, as a degradation product of PCE, is usually less abundant than PCE is at this site. In soil gas, TCE concentration was less than 2.5% of the PCE concentration. In other environmental media at this site, TCE concentrations were less than 0.2% of the PCE concentrations. TCE and PCE also have similar end points for the toxicological effects. Therefore, this evaluation will consider the contaminants together.
1. Possible health effects for adults:
Tetrachloroethylene and Trichloroethylene
Elevated levels of PCE and TCE up to 390 ppb were found in drinking water supply wells in June 1992, (as summarized Appendix C, Table 3), which were then closed. PCE and TCE were also found in the supply wells at lower concentrations (20-60 ppb). The actual PCE concentration in tap water was expected to be less than that in the contaminated wells after the contaminated well water was mixed from other supply wells. In off-site ground water, elevated PCE levels up to 34,000 ppb were also found (See Appendix C, Table 3). The subsurface soils contained up to 190 ppm of PCE, while surface soils contained 20 ppm (see Appendix C, Table 2). Additionally, PCE up to 28,000 ug/m3 was found in soil gas at the site (see Appendix C Table 1).
Therefore, PCE exposure to residents occurred in the past. PCE may also diffuse from the soil gas into the indoor air of an enclosed space. However, monitoring data on PCE in indoor air are unavailable. ATSDR concludes that residents were exposed to PCE and TCE in the past.
ORAL EXPOSURE:
Non-cancer health effects:
ATSDR staff estimated the amount of PCE and TCE (i.e., oral dose) that community members may have consumed from ingesting contaminated drinking water and surface soil at the site. The combined oral dose for PCE and TCE was then compared with the health guidelines to determine whether this dose has the potential to effect people's health. Based on the worst case scenario that a 10-kg child ingested one liter of the most contaminated potable well water and 200 mg of surface soil each day, the assessors estimated that the potential ingestion doses of the PCE and TCE from contaminated soil and supply well water to be 0.04 and 0.0004 mg/kg/day, respectively, in the past. Although the combined estimated dose in the past exposure did not exceed a short term health guideline (ATSDR's acute MRL=0.05 mg/kg/day) for non-cancer effects, the estimated dose in slightly higher than the long-term guideline for PCE exposure (EPA's RfD.= 0.01 mg/kg/day). Therefore, the past exposure of ingested PCE may need to be evaluated further. The combined dose from potable water may double to 0.08 mg/kg/day if an additional dose from showering is included.
The potential dose (0.08 mg/kg/day) estimated from the most contaminated supply well, which was taken out of service in 1992, was 125 times below the dose of 5 mg/kg/day observed to cause harm to baby mice (6). The mice exposed to high PCE doses in the animal test exhibited excessive activity at the age of 60 days. The community's past exposure to PCE at the 1992 levels in supply wells was less likely to pose significant health effects as compared to this animal study, because the daily dose of PCE in drinking water was lower over a longer period of time than what the mice experienced. In the animal test, the PCE in cooking oil was quickly delivered to the stomachs of the mice thus allowing little time for the mice to eliminate the PCE out of their bodies before it reached harmful levels in the body systems. In addition, the PCE concentration at tap water was most likely diluted with clean water from other supply wells. Nevertheless, the highly contaminated PCE plume, up to 34,000 ppb, in ground water may migrate to other drinking water wells in the future, if the PCE plume is not confined or removed.
The potential doses from any garden produce are insignificant because PCE does not accumulate in biota. The PCE concentration in private wells was not included in this calculation because no private wells are known to be used for drinking water consumption near this site. Based on the information available to ATSDR at this time, the PCE levels in the supply wells currently in service are not likely to cause any non-cancer diseases through water ingestion.
Cancer effects:
There is sufficient evidence to support that PCE and TCE, at very high doses, caused cancers in experimental animals (11). Through the inhalation route, PCE and TCE caused liver cancer in mice; these liver cancers are hepatocellular adenoma and carcinoma in male mice and hepatocellular carcinoma in female mice. In rats exposed to PCE and TCE in air, PCE and TCE caused (mononuclear cell) leukemia in both sexes and rare renal tubular cell neoplasms in male rats. Through the ingestion route, PCE and TCE caused liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) in mice of both sexes.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer ( IARC) classifies PCE and TCE as Group 2A carcinogens, which means that PCE and TCE are probably carcinogenic to humans. IARC concluded that there were no adequate human data available to evaluate the carcinogenicity of PCE in humans (6, 11). Cancer effects of PCE and TCE have been studied in laundry and dry-cleaning workers, who may also have been exposed to other petroleum solvents. Among these workers, excess incidence has been reported of the following cancers: lymphosarcomas, leukemia, and cancers of skin, larynx, colon, lung, urogenital tract, and urinary bladder. Although these studies suggested a possible association between occupational exposure to PCE and TCE and increased lymphatic malignancies, the evidence was inconclusive because the workers were also exposed to petroleum solvents.
The carcinogenic classification of PCE and TCE is under EPA review. In 1987, EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB), Office of Research and Development, placed PCE and TCE on the continuum between B2 (probable human carcinogen; based on sufficient evidence in animals and inadequate or no evidence in humans) and C (possible human carcinogen). In 1991, the SAB reevaluated the animal cancer data and reiterated its 1987 position on the carcinogenicity classification of PCE and TCE. This assessment is based on increased liver tumors in male and female mice, kidney tumors in male rats, and possibly mononuclear cell leukemia in male and female rats at very high doses. The SAB concluded that there is no compelling evidence of human cancer risk but it is prudent to reduce unnecessary human exposure to PCE and TCE. In response to the on-going evaluation, the cancer potency factor for PCE and TCE and the associated unit risk for oral and inhalation exposure have been withdrawn (6).
If the PCE and TCE in undiluted water from the most contaminated supply well (390 ppb) were actually consumed by the residents prior to 1992, then they are expected to receive an exposure dose (about 0.01 mg/kg/day) that was associated with "no apparent excess cancer risk." This conservative estimate is based on the assumption that a 70-kg man consumed 2 liters of water for a life time and ingested 100 milligrams (mg) of contaminated soil each day for his lifetime. This conservative estimate is based on the cancer potency factor that is currently under EPA review. The contaminated supply wells have been taken out of service since 1992. The estimated risk for excess cancer is even lower under the assumption that the exposure to PCE and TCE in supply wells is limited to the one year, from 1991-1992, rather than the lifetime of 70 years.
The highest concentration of PCE (up to 34,000 ppb) found in an offsite monitoring well is not being consumed by people. However, this plume could migrate into drinking water wells and cause health problems if it is consumed by people.
INHALATION EXPOSURE:
ATSDR established a chronic MRL level of 0.04 ppm for PCE and TCE in the air. At this level, PCE and TCE are unlikely to cause neurological effects (e.g., dizziness, increased reaction time, and loss of color vision) or other non-cancer diseases. The PCE and TCE concentrations in the air at this site has not been monitored although the concentration in soil gas was 28,000 ug/m3 (4.1 ppm) for PCE. EPA is reviewing the unit cancer risk of 0.0000005/ (ug/m3) for airborne PCE and TCE after a life time of exposure.
The PCE and TCE concentrations in indoor air are unavailable. If the high level of PCE in soil gas is allowed to enter into indoor air space without sufficient dilution, this exposure has the potential to cause a high level of cancer risk. The PCE level in soil gas was only one order of magnitude lower than the concentration of 678,000 ug/m3 that caused significant rate of liver cancer in mice.
If the indoor concentration of PCE reached the level comparable to the 4.1 ppm in the soil gas, then the possibility of non-cancer adverse health effects becomes a health concern. This concentration is close to the harmful concentration of 7.3 ppm that caused neurological effects such as the loss of color vision in humans. At 10-20 ppm, PCE also caused dizziness and decreased reaction time in humans.
DERMAL EXPOSURE:
Prior to 1992, city water contaminated with PCE & TCE was probably used for showering & bathing. No guideline is available for safe concentrations regarding dermal exposure to PCE and TCE in water. However, the absorbed dose of PCE and TCE in bathing water can be estimated and compared to the safe dose in oral exposure. This approach for risk assessment results in an additional uncertainty associated with the extrapolation of adverse health effects from oral exposure to dermal exposure.
In 1992, Bogen et al. estimated that a 70-kg man, immersing 80% of his body surface in dilute aqueous PCE solution conservatively for 20 minutes, would take up the amount of PCE equal to that in 2 L of water (5). Thus, we estimate that the average dose might have been at 0.01 mg/kg/day if a resident immersed in the water from bathing one hour a day, two days a week using the undiluted contaminated well water containing 390 ug/L of PCE. This estimated dose is far below the harmful oral dose of 5 mg/kg/day to the baby mice. This average dose from past dermal exposure, even added to the past oral exposure from drinking water, is unlikely to cause significant non-cancer health effects to adults or children. As stated in the previous section for ingested dose, the equivalent dose of 0.001 mg/kg/day from dermal exposure to PCE is expected to pose "no apparent increased cancer risk" to people. The contaminated supply wells were taken out of service. Currently, the residents are not exposed to any PCE and TCE from city water, which is now pumped from uncontaminated supply wells.
Past dermal exposure to PCE and TCE through showers is expected to be even lower than the exposure from bathing in bath tubs. The volatile PCE and TCE tend to evaporate into the air from water droplets under the shower head.
The PCE in the contaminated ground water plume, with PCE concentration up to 34,000 ppb, may someday reach other wells if the PCE plume is not confined or removed. The potential future dose from dermal exposure is estimated at 8.3 mg/kg/day. In animal tests, PCE at this dose level caused adverse effects in the development of young mice.
2. Children and Other Susceptible Populations:
ATSDR's Child Health Initiative recognizes that the unique vulnerabilities of infants and children demand special emphasis in communities faced with contamination of their water, soil, air, or food. Children are at a greater risk than adults from certain kinds of exposures to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites and emergency events. They are more likely to be exposed because they play outdoors and they often bring food into contaminated areas. They are more likely to come into contact with dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Also, they receive higher doses of chemical exposure due to lower body weights. The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if toxic exposures occur during critical growth stages.
The fetus is particularly susceptible to the toxic effects of chemicals if the chemicals cross the placental barrier. Before birth, the fetus is forming the body organs that need to last a lifetime. This is the time when chemical injury may lead to the greatest effects. Laboratory animal and epidemiological studies indicate that VOC exposures to the fetus and children may result in adverse health effects. Some epidemiological studies have found that exposure to PCE and TCE during pregnancy increased the risk of the fetus developing central nervous system defects, neural tube defects, and oral cleft defects. However, other studies have not shown an association between PCE and TCE exposure and birth defects. A childhood cancer study identified a statistically significant increase of childhood leukemia cases and associated the increase to fetal exposure because the mothers drank PCE and TCE contaminated water (12). The study did not find any association between the development of childhood leukemia and the children drinking contaminated water. The conclusions were based upon imprecise estimates of leukemia risk because of the small number of subjects in the study group. The time of exposure was not clearly evident which may not accurately predict the amount or strength of any effect that TCE and PCE may have on the fetus.
B. Health Outcome Data Evaluation
Information provided by the West Virginia Cancer Registry indicates that the 1993-1997 age adjusted incidence rate (per 100,000) of all sites of cancer in Wood County residents (87,029) for males is 495.6 and 371.9 for females. The age adjusted incidence rate of all sites of cancer in West Virginia residents, population (1,815,787) for males is 445.1 and 337.0 for females. The total age adjusted cancer incidence rate for a five year period for all cancer types in all sexes reported in Wood County is 418.2 as compared to the total age adjusted incidence rate for a five year period for all cancer types in all sexes of 378.8 for the state of West Virginia. The cancer rate observed in Wood County is not statistically different from the cancer rate observed state wide.
During the public availability meeting on March 29, 2000, the following health concerns were posed:
| *Are the high rates of Crohn's Disease in Vienna attributable to exposure from Tetrachloroethene (PCE) and Trichloroethylene (TCE)? | |
| Response: | Crohn's Disease is a incurable illness that causes inflamation of the small and large intestines. Families frequently share a similar pattern of the disease. The cause is unknown and there is no current cure for the disease (5). No available data has shown a link between Crohn's disease and PCE and TCE. |
| *Are PCE and TCE contributing factors to the of liver, heart disease, respiratory illness, and neurological problems in Vienna? | |
| Response: | ATSDR has determined that the citizens of Vienna may have been exposed to PCE and TCE for no more than one year. The amount of PCE and TCE detected in the Vienna drinking water system is below levels that have caused liver, heart, neurological, and respiratory illnesses (12). Therefore, it is unlikely that PCE and TCE are contributing factors to any liver, heart, neurological, or respiratory illnesses in Vienna. |
| *Are PCE and TCE a contributing factor to the cancer in Vienna? | |
| Response: | Although PCE and TCE have been identified by the EPA as chemicals that may cause cancer, it is doubtful that adults would get cancer because they drank PCE and TCE contaminated drinking water. The amount of PCE and TCE in the Vienna drinking water system was too low and the length of time (one year or less) was not long enough for cancer to develop in adults. Some studies of people indicate that children may develop leukemia if their mother drank PCE or TCE contaminated drinking water during pregnancy. However, other studies indicated that there is not a risk to children. |
| *Is the current water supply for Vienna safe to drink? | |
| Response: | Yes, the current water being supplied to the city of Vienna is safe for consumption. The annual chemical analysis of the city water indicates that the drinking water meets the water quality standard. |
| *How often is the water system being checked for contamination? | |
| Response: | The public water supply for the city of Vienna is sampled once every month. |
| *Is the community at risk of future exposure? | |
| Response: | If the remediation of the Vienna site is not completed, there is a possibility of the city's water supply wells becoming contaminated again. |
| *Is it safe to grow a vegetable garden above the contaminated ground water table? | |
| Response: | Yes, it is safe to grow gardens in the area. PCE and TCE are volatile organic chemicals which disperse into the air. This prevents concentrations from building up in plant life. |
| How is the site going to be cleaned up? | |
| Response: | The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to remediate the contaminated ground water plume by using a vacuum vaporization process to remove PCE and TCE from the ground water plume. |
Based upon data reviewed and observations made, the Vienna Tetrachloroethene Superfund Site is currently categorized by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as a Public Health Hazard. Evaluations of relevant environmental and toxicologic data indicate that exposure to PCE and TCE on-site and off-site in the past has occurred, and future exposures could occur. Some studies indicate that exposure to PCE and TCE in drinking water may increase the chance of developing adverse health effects. Children exposed to PCE as fetuses may have an increased chance of being born and diagnosed with birth defects (i.e., central nervous system defects, neural tube defects, and oral cleft defects).
The interpretation, advice, and recommendations presented are based on the data and information referenced. Additional data could alter the recommendations. The conclusions and recommendations are situation specific and should not be considered applicable to any other situations. As additional data becomes available, ATSDR will review the data and will respond to additional requests to evaluate public health issues at the site.
ATSDR's Child Health Initiative recognizes that the unique vulnerabilities of infants and children demand special emphasis in communities faced with contamination of their water, soil, air, or food. Children are at greater risk than adults from certain kinds of exposures to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites and emergency events. They are more likely to be exposed because they play outdoors and they often bring food into contaminated areas. They are more likely to come into contact with dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Also, they receive higher doses of chemical exposure due to lower body weights. The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if toxic exposures occur during critical growth stages.
Some studies have indicated that exposure to PCE and TCE in drinking water may increase the chance of developing adverse health effects. Children exposed to PCE as fetuses may have an increased chance of being born and diagnosed with birth defects (i.e., central nervous system defects, neural tube defects, and oral cleft defects).
The Public Health Assessment (PHA) for the Vienna Tetrachloroethene site was made available for public review and comment on November 24, 2000, at the repository in the Vienna Public Library in Vienna, West Virginia. The release of the PHA was announced in the Parkersburg and Sentinel News papers. Television station WTAP and Impact Radio station of Vienna, West Virginia also announced the release of the PHA. ATSDR did not receive any comments.
The purpose of the Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) is to ensure that this public health assessment goes beyond presenting ATSDR's conclusions and recommendations about public health issues at the Vienna Tetrachloroethene Superfund Site. The PHAP describes actions that are designed to stop or prevent harmful effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances at the site.
Completed Public Health Actions
Planned Public Health Actions
Wayne Hall, MPH
Environmental Health Scientist
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Shan-Ching Tsai, Ph.D
Toxicologist
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Lafreta Dalton
Community Involvement Specialist
Community Involvement Activity
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Lora Siegmann Werner, MPH
Environmental Health Scientist
Regional Representative ATSDR
APPENDIX A: HEALTH COMPARISON VALUES
Health Comparison Value (CVs) are contaminated concentrations found in specific media (air, soil, or water) and used to select contaminants for further evaluation. The CVs used in this documentare listed below.
Cancer Risk Evaluation Guidelines (CREGs) are estimated contaminant concentrations that would be expected to cause no more than one excess cancer in a million persons exposed over a lifetime. CREGS are calculated from EPA's cancer slop factors (CSF).
Environmental Media Evaluation Guide (EMEGs) are estimated contaminant concentrations in media where there is no chance for non-carcinogenic health effects to occur. The EMEG is derived from U.S. AgencyToxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) minimal risk level (MRI).
EPA Soil Screening Levels (EPA SSL) are estimated contaminant concentrations in soil where additional evaluation is needed to determine if action to eliminate or reduce exposure.
Minimal risk level (MRL) an estimate of daily exposure of a human being to a chemical ( in mg/kg/day) that is likely to be without an appreciable risk of deleterious effects ( noncarcenogenic) over a specified duration of exposure.
Table 1. Volatile Organic Chemicals, detected in On-site Soil Gas Monitoring 1993, Above the Comparison Value for the Vienna Cleaners, Tetrachloroethene Site
| Contaminant | Maximum concentration in Soil Gas (ug/m3) | Comparision Values (ug/m3) | Comparision Value Source | Cancer Class |
| Tetrachloroethene | 28,000 | 40/2 | EMEG/CREG | 2A |
| Trichloroethene | 710 | 100/0.6(0.1) | EMEG/CREG | 3 |
Table 2. Volatile Organic Chemicals detected in Off-site
Surface Soil and in On-site Subsurface Soil in1997, Above the Comparison Value
for the Vienna Tetrachloroethene Site.
| Contaminant | Maximum Concentration in Surface Soil (mg/kg) Off-Site | Maximum Concentration in Subsurface Soil (mg/kg) On-Site | Comparison Values (mg/kg) | Comparison Value Source | Cancer Class |
| Tetrachloroethene | 20 | 190 | 20 | RMEG | 2A |
| Trichloroethene | N/D | .47 | 58 | EPA SSL | 2A |
Table 3. Volatile Organic Chemicals detected in Off-site
Ground Water and Drinking Water Well in1997, Above the Comparison Value for
the Vienna Tetrachloroethene Site.
| Contaminant | Maximum Concentration in Ground Water (ug/L) Off-Site | Maximum Concentration in Drinking Water Well (ug/L) Off-Site | Comparison Values (ug/L) | Comparison Value Source | Cancer Class |
| Tetrachloroethene | 34,000 | 390 | 100/5 | RMEG/MCL | 2A |
| Trichloroethene | 6.5 | N/D | 5 | MCL | 2A |
List of Acronyms Appearing in Tables
CREG- Cancer Risk Evaluation Guide for 1x10-6 excess cancer
risk
MCL- Maximun Risk Level
RFD- Reference Dose
PPM- Parts Per Million
SSL- Soil Screening Level
APPENDIX D: ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAYS
TABLE 1. EXPOSURE AND DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE FILE - Completed Exposure Pathway Table - ON-SITE
| Pathway Name: | Source | Medium | Exposure Point | Exposure Route | Receptor Population | Time of Exposure | Exposure Activities | Estimate Number Exposed | Chemicals |
| On-Site Air | Vienna Cleaners | Soil Gas | Operation Area | Inhalation | On-Site Workers | Past | Inhalation of soil gas on site | 20* | PCE & TCE |
| On-Site Soil | Vienna Cleaners | Soil less than 6 " below surface | Operation Area | Dermal contact, Ingestion |
On-Site Workers | Past | Skin contact with soil, Ingestion and breathing of soil particles | 20* | PCE & TCE |
TABLE 2. EXPOSURE AND DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE FILE - Completed
and Potential Exposure Pathway Table - OFF-SITE
| Pathway Name: | Source | Medium | Exposure Point | Exposure Route | Receptor Population | Time of Exposure | Exposure Activities | Estimate Number Exposed | Chemicals |
| Off-Site Drinking Water | Vienna Public Supply | Ground Water | Resident Area | Ingestion Dermal Contact |
Residents of Vienna | Past, Future |
Ingestion, Inhalation, Dermal | 14,500* | PCE & TCE |
| Off-Site Soil | Vienna TCE Site | Soil More Than 6" Below Surface | Resident Area | Ingestion Dermal Inhalation Contact |
Utility workers Gardeners | Past, Present, Future | Ingestion, Inhalation, Dermal absorption | 14,500* | PCE & TCE |
ATSDR Plain Language Glossary of Environmental Health Terms
Revised -15Dec99
