PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
AGRICO CHEMICAL CO.
PENSACOLA, ESCAMBIA, FLORIDA
Based on the information currently available, we classify this site as a public health hazard. Specific reasons for this classification are as follows:
1. Arsenic, fluoride and lead are present on the site at levels that could result in chronic healtheffects such as skin irritation, mottling of teeth, decreased intelligence scores, and hearingimpairment. On-site workers and trespassers may have been exposed to these contaminants.
2. The number and location of warning signs is inadequate to warn the public and to meet therequirements of sections 403.704 and 403.7255, Florida Statutes, and FDEP Rule 17-736.
3. Future remediation work could create contaminated dust and expose remediation workers andnearby residents.
4. Groundwater contamination from the site has recently reached Bayou Texar, anenvironmentally sensitive estuary. Although the level of contamination is not currently of healthconcern, these levels could increase in the future.
5. The number of on-site surface water samples is insufficient to characterize the extent andnature of contamination of this medium.
6. Off-site exposure to site-related contaminants is possible. However, of the contaminants ofconcern, only PAHs, fluoride and lead have been analyzed for in off-site surface soil; thus, there isinsufficient information to characterize the extent and nature of contamination in this medium.
7. Fluoride is present in the soil on the abandoned on-site baseball field at a level that, if ingested,could result in mottling of teeth, especially in young children. Children and adults using theballfield may have been exposed to this contaminant.
Cease/Reduce Exposure Recommendations
1. Maintain site security to reduce the risk of exposure to trespassers and the nearby community. EPA should maintain security at this site and provide future remediation workers with appropriateprotective equipment while on site.
2. Install warning signs indicating the area is a hazardous waste site. EPA should install additionalwarning signs as specified in FDEP Rule 17-736 to warn the public that the area is a hazardouswaste site.
3. Suppress dust formation by implementing optimal dust control measures and conduct airmonitoring during remediation. EPA should suppress dust formation and conduct air monitoringduring remediation for worker protection and to ensure that air-borne contamination generated byremediation operations and machinery is not transported off the site.
4. Conduct periodic surface and pore water sampling of Bayou Texar. EPA should periodicallysample Bayou Texar to ensure that any increases in contaminants entering the bayou arediscovered in a timely manner. If increased contaminant levels are found, it may be necessary tosample fish and shellfish to determine if these organisms have become contaminated.
Site Characterization Recommendations
1. Conduct additional wastewater pond sampling. If standing water is present in the wastewaterpond, EPA should analyze a minimum of six samples for all contaminants of concern tocharacterize the current condition of on-site surface water.
2. Analyze additional off-site surface soil samples. EPA should analyze a minimum of eightoff-site surface soil (depth 0-3 inches) samples for all contaminants of concern. Areas to sampleshould include the southernmost off-site baseball field and the area immediately off-site to thewest of the site. If contaminants are found at a level of health concern, additional sampling maybe necessary to characterize the extent of contamination.
Public Education Recommendations
1. Provide health education to help residents near the site understand their potential for exposureand possible health risks. ATSDR and Florida HRS should provide health education informationto community members whose children used the now-abandoned on-site baseball field to informthem of the possible health effects from exposure to site-related contaminants.
Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendations
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980(CERCLA), as amended, requires ATSDR to perform public health actions needed at hazardouswaste sites. To determine if public health actions are needed, ATSDR's Health ActivitiesRecommendation Panel (HARP) has evaluated the data and information developed in the AgricoChemical Co. Public Health Assessment.
The Panel has determined that no further public health actions are needed at this site.
If additional information becomes available indicating exposure at levels of concern, ATSDR willevaluate that information to determine what actions, if any, are necessary.
This section describes what ATSDR and/or Florida HRS will do at the Agrico Chemical Co. siteafter the completion of this public health assessment report. The purpose of a Public HealthAction Plan is to ensure that any existing health hazards are reduced and any future health hazardsare prevented. ATSDR and/or Florida HRS will do the following:
1. Florida HRS will develop educational materials to inform community members whose childrenused the now-abandoned on-site baseball field of the possible health effects from their exposure.
2. The Escambia County Parks Department and administration officials of the East Brent BaptistChurch in Pensacola will assist Florida HRS in the distribution of these materials.
3. The Escambia County Public Health Unit will provide consultation to those individuals whorequire additional information or assistance.
4. ATSDR will assist Florida HRS in the development of these educational materials to ensurethat the information is accurate and reflects the most recent scientific findings and agencyguidelines.
ATSDR and/or Florida HRS will reevaluate the Public Health Action Plan when newenvironmental, toxicological, or health outcome data are available.
Bruce J. Tuovila
Environmental Specialist
Office of Environmental Toxicology
Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services
E. Randall Merchant
Biological Administrator
Office of Environmental Toxicology
Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services
H. Joseph Sekerke, Jr., PhD.
Biological Scientist
Office of Environmental Toxicology
Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services
ATSDR Technical Project Officer:
Richard R. Kauffman, M.S.
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
ATSDR Regional Representative:
Bob Safay
Regional Services
Office of the Assistant Administrator
CERTIFICATION
This Agrico Chemical Company Public Health Assessment was prepared by the FloridaDepartment of Health and Rehabilitative Services under a cooperative agreement with the Agencyfor Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approvedmethodology and procedures existing at the time the public health assessment was begun.
Richard R. Kauffman, M.S.
Technical Project Officer
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC)
ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public healthassessment, and concurs with its findings.
Richard Gillig
for Robert C. Williams, P.E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
