PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

MANNHEIM AVENUE DUMP SITE
ATLANTIC COUNTY, GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY

CONCLUSIONS

1. On the basis of the information reviewed, NJDOH has concluded that the Mannheim Avenue Dump Site poses no apparent public health hazard. Past human exposure to VOC contaminants is not likely to result in adverse health effects. VOCs including TCE are considered to be moving from the site. Although currently below health concern levels, it is possible that VOC concentrations could increase to health concern levels at a later date¹.
2. Human exposure to lead (may not be site-related) is an indeterminate public health hazard. Exposure has probably occurred via ingestion of lead from residential tap water. However, the source of the lead contamination may not be site-related. Mild adverse health effects involving the central nervous system, the liver, and the blood might have resulted from drinking lead contaminated water in two of the households. However, we cannot be certain of this conclusion because lead levels fluctuated over time; therefore, the amount of lead exposure fluctuated. Biological tests, such as measuring lead in blood is better at determining whether excessive lead exposure is occurring. The most sensitive groups appear to be unborn and young children. Blood-lead levels of individuals from these households have not been examined.
3. Since all wastes have been removed from the site exposure to site soil does not constitute a health risk¹³.
4. The presence of 1,2-dichloropropane in residential wells located downgradient is apparently not site related. There are no data or information available regarding the possible source of this contaminant. At calculated exposure doses derived from minimum concentrations of 1,2-dichloropropane, adverse health effects would not be expected to occur.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations to Cease/Reduce Exposure

1. As soon as possible educate current residents of Mannheim Avenue about the possible health impacts of exposure to lead (may not be site-related). All residents with increased lead levels in their wells are advised to let the taps run before using water for drinking purposes to help clear any lead possibly originating from the pipes.
2. If contaminant concentrations are found to be increasing, then an alternate water supply should be provided to residents who use private well water for potable purposes in order to be protective of public health.
3. Implement institutional controls in the near future to prevent residential development around Mannheim Avenue Dump site until remediation of site is complete.

Recommendations to Characterize the Site

1. Periodic sampling of residential wells and monitoring wells located downgradient should be continued.

Other Recommendations

The Atlantic County Health Department has a free lead screening program for children and adults. It is recommended that all children and adults living in residences with increased lead levels in tap samples be screened for blood lead. Individuals, particularly pregnant women and young children, should contact the Atlantic County Health Department for further details.

Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendation

The data and information evaluated in the public health assessment for the Mannheim Avenue Dump site, Galloway Township, Atlantic County, New Jersey, has been reviewed by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel for appropriate follow up with respect to health activities. Because of past and possibly current exposure to lead, through the ingestion of contaminated drinking water, the HARP panel recommends this site for follow up health activities. Specifically, the HARP determined that children (6-71 months) be tested for lead in their blood (per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines). In addition, the HARP determined that the Atlantic County Health Department be contacted to inform them of the HARP recommendation. The HARP concurs with the community health education that is being performed by the EPA.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Public Health Action Plan (PAP) for the Mannheim Avenue site contains a description of the actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or NJDOH at or in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this Public Health Assessment. The purpose of the PAP 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/NJDOH to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by ATSDR/NJDOH are as follows:

1. The NJDOH will provide a copy of this public health assessment to the Atlantic County Health Department to consider inclusion of children (and possibly adults) in their lead screening program.
2. ATSDR and the NJDOH will coordinate with the appropriate environmental agencies to develop plans to implement the cease/reduce exposure and site characterization recommendations contained in this health assessment.
3. ATSDR will provide an annual follow up to this PAP, outlining the actions completed and those in progress. This report will be placed in repositories that contain copies of this health assessment, and will be provided to persons who request it.

ATSDR will re-evaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan (PAP) when needed. New environmental, toxicological, health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions may determine the need for additional actions at this site.

CERTIFICATION

The Public Health Assessment for the Mannheim Avenue Dump site was prepared by the New Jersey 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 REPORT

Preparer of Report:

Rosaline Dhara, MA, MPH.
Research Scientist II
Environmental Health Service
State of New Jersey Department of Health

ATSDR Regional Representatives:

Arthur Block
Senior Regional Representative
ATSDR Region II

ATSDR Technical Project Officer:

Gregory V. Ulirsch
Environmental Health Engineer
Remedial Programs Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

Any questions concerning this document should be directed to:

ATSDR Project Manager
The State of New Jersey Department of Health
Environmental Health Service
CN 360
Trenton, NJ 08625

REFERENCES

1. Geraghty & Miller, Inc.: 'Remedial Investigation Report, Revision No. 1: Mannheim Avenue Site Galloway Township, New Jersey. Vol. 1 & 2 June 1990'.

2. ATSDR November 14, 1988. Preliminary Health Assessment, Mannheim Avenue Dump, Galloway Township, New Jersey. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

3. ATSDR Superfund Record of Communication (SRC dated 2/4/91).

4. ATSDR Superfund Record of Communication (SRC dated 7/10/91).

5. Record of Decision - Mannheim Avenue Dump Site. September, 1990.

6. Eder Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C: 'Draft Feasibility Study Report. Mannheim Avenue Site, Galloway Township, New Jersey. February 1990'.

7. ATSDR Site Summary for Mannheim Avenue Dump, June 21, 1988.

8. USEPA : Community Relations Plan, Mannheim Avenue Dump Site. April 1989.

9. New Jersey State Department of Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health: Central File No: H-043-88

10. ATSDR 1992. Final Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

11. Geraghty & Miller, Inc.: 'Addendum to the Draft Remedial Investigation Report, Mannheim Avenue Site Galloway Township, New Jersey. February 1990'.

12. USEPA, Region II: Mannheim Avenue Dump Site, Galloway Township, New Jersey - August 8, 1991, Residential Well Sampling Results.

13. Eder Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C: 'Baseline Risk Assessment, Mannheim Avenue Site, Galloway Township, New Jersey. February 1990'.

14. ATSDR 1989. Toxicological Profile Trichloroethylene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

15. ATSDR 1990. Toxicological Profile for Lead. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

16. Committee on Environmental Hazards, Committee on Accident and Poison Prevention: Statement on Childhood Lead Poisoning, Pediatrics Vol.79, March 1987.

17. ATSDR 1990. Toxicological Profile for 1,2-dichloropropane. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.

18. USEPA Region II: Post-Record of Decision Residential Well Sampling results.

INTERVIEWS:

a. Site Manager, NJDEP
b. Site Manager EPA
c. ATSDR Region II representatives.

APPENDICES:

1. Site Location Map.
2. Residential Well sampling locations.
3. Response Summary

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