PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

FORT DEVENS
AYER, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
EPA FACILITY ID: MA7210025154

July 12, 2000

Prepared by:

Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

Site Description and History
ATSDR Involvement
Demographics
Land Use
Quality Assurance and Quality Control

EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND HUMAN EXPOSURE PATHWAYS

Introduction
Evaluation of the Groundwater Exposure Pathway
Evaluation of the Surface Water and Sediment Exposure Pathway
Evaluation of the Food Chain Pathway
Evaluation of the Indoor Air Pathway

COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS

ATSDR CHILD HEALTH INITIATIVE

CONCLUSIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN

PREPARERS OF REPORT

REFERENCES

TABLES

FIGURES

APPENDIX A: List of Comparison Values

APPENDIX B: Glossary

APPENDIX C: Estimated Exposures and Health Effects

APPENDIX D: Responses to Public Comments

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards Associated with Major Study Areas and Areas of Contamination at Fort Devens

Table 2: Local Public Water Supplies

Table 3: Exposure Pathways

Table 4: Summary of Contaminants in the On-Site Groundwater

Table 5: Summary of Contaminants in Grove Pond and Plow Shop Pond Surface Water

Table 6: Summary of Contaminants in Grove Pond and Plow Shop Pond Sediment

Table 7: Summary of Contaminants in Grove Pond Fish

Table 8: Summary of Contaminants in Plow Shop Pond Fish

Table 9: Summary of Contaminants in Mirror Lake Fish

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Site Map

Figure 2: Demographics Within a 1-Mile Buffer of Fort Devens

Figure 3: ATSDR's Exposure Evaluation Process

Figure 4: Grove Pond Wells

Figure 5: Grove Pond and Plow Shop Pond

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