The ICG Iselin Railroad Yard site is categorized by ATSDR as a no apparent public health
hazard based on data reviewed to date by ATSDR. However, although the site is bordered by a
residential area and the Washington-Douglas Elementary School, no surface soil samples (0"-3")
were collected from the residential yards or the school property.
ATSDR has identified on-site and off-site completed exposure pathways. On-site workers,
visitors/trespassers, and area residents may have been or become exposed to contaminants in
ambient air; on-site and off-site soils; and on-site and off-site surface waters and sediments from the intermittent tributary and Jones Creek.
ATSDR has provided a toxicological evaluation of contaminants reported to be present at the
site. Based upon that evaluation, ATSDR believes that adverse non-carcinogenic health effects
did not occur.
For those contaminants with known carcinogenic endpoints, ATSDR believes that there would
be no increased risk of developing cancer from those exposures.
Groundwater poses a potential pathway.
The population surrounding the site is relatively small. In addition, due to cessation of the
railyard operations, it would be difficult to identify the affected or potentially affected former
railyard population.
ATSDR has reviewed and provided a response to community health concerns voiced during
the public availability sessions held on January 19, 1994.
ATSDR has provided a response to questions received on the September 30, 1996, public
comment release of the ICG Iselin Railroad Yard public health assessment.
The data needs include the following:
Sampling of off-site surface soil (residential yards and area of the Washington-Douglas
Elementary where children play), drinking water (at tap), and private wells (if any), as well as
sampling of municipal water and on-site groundwater (while the JUD South Well Field wells are
in operation) are needed to get a better idea of extent of site-related contamination and impact of
pumping on direction of groundwater flow.
Information regarding work practices and duration of employment for former railyard workers.
Should appropriate information become available, ATSDR will evaluate these potential
exposures.
Information regarding work practices of current on-site employees and their potential for
contact with contaminated on-site media.
Additional toxicological and/or epidemiological data are needed for carbazole, dibenzofuran,
2-methylnaphthalene, 4-methyl-2-pentanone, and 2-hexanone in order to determine appropriate
adverse health outcomes, if any.
Further measures need to be taken to restrict access to the site in order to prevent exposures to contaminated soils, sediment, and surface water.
ATSDR recommends testing or surveying of persons currently working at the railyard
(employees of Williams Steel) to get an idea of their current health status and health concerns. In
addition, steps need to be taken to reduce employee exposure to contaminated media.
Site/Area Characterization Recommendations
Additional sampling is required in order to have a more accurate idea of what compounds are
present in soils (especially VOCs in areas currently being used for on site operations and metals
in surface soil on residential and public properties near the north border of the site) and private
well water (if any).
Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendations
In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980, as amended, data and information developed in the Public Health Assessment for
the ICG Iselin Railroad Yard National Priorities List site in Jackson, Madison County,
Tennessee, have been evaluated to determine if follow-up actions may be indicated.
The data and information developed in the public health assessment for the ICG Iselin Railroad
Yard National Priorities List site have been evaluated by the ATSDR Health Activities
Recommendation Panel (HARP)for appropriate public health actions. HARP has determined
that the exposed populations need assistance in understanding their potential for exposure and in
assessing any possible adverse health effects in their community. ATSDR's Division of Health
Education (DHE) will evaluate and prioritize the site for an environmental health education
program in the community near the site. HARP has reviewed health concerns expressed by the
community. ATSDR's Division of Health Studies (DHS) has determined that currently available
health outcome data are not sufficient enough to make an appropriate health recommendation at
this time. Since information more specific to the potentially effected community is needed in
order to determine more appropriate follow-up heath actions, HARP recommends that a review
of health statistics for the community living near the site be conducted by the state. Once
appropriate health outcome data have been reviewed and evaluated by ATSDR, the HARP will
make appropriate recommendations for additional follow-up health activities.
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the ICG Iselin Railroad Yard site contains a
description of action taken and planned by ATSDR and/or other government agencies in the
vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this public health assessment. The purpose of
the PHAP is to ensure that this public 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.
ATSDR will collaborate with the appropriate federal, state, and local agencies to pursue the
implementation of the recommendations outlined in this public health assessment. The public
health actions to be implemented are as follows:
A. Actions Undertaken
ATSDR held public availability sessions on January 19, 1994 to learn about the community's
site-related concerns.
HARP has reviewed health concerns expressed by the community and available health
outcome data sources in order to determine appropriate follow-up health activities.
ATSDR made the public comment release version of this public health assessment available to
the community surrounding the site. The document was released on September 30, 1996.
Comments from the public were accepted until November 21, 1996. Comments received were
addressed in this final release version of the ICG Iselin Railroad Yard public health assessment.
B. Actions Planned
ATSDR will continue to collaborate with the appropriate federal, state, and local agencies to pursue the implementation of the recommendations outlined in this public health assessment.
This final release version of the PHAP will be evaluated annually unless additional
information warrants more frequent evaluation. New environmental, toxicological, or health
outcome data may determine the need for additional actions at the ICG Iselin Railroad Yard site.
Exposure Factors Handbook. Washington, DC: Environmental Protection Agency,
Office of Health and Environmental Assessment, July 1989, EPA Document No. 600/8-89/043.
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for aldrin/dieldrin. (update) Atlanta: ATSDR, April 1993; DHHS publication no. (PHS)TP-92/01.
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for methylene
chloride. (update) Atlanta: ATSDR, April 1993; DHHS publication no. (PHS)TP-92/13.
HT, JG Boerngen. Element concentrations in soils and other surficial material of
the conterminous United States. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1270. Washington,
DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1984.
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for chromium.
(update) Atlanta: ATSDR, April 1993; DHHS publication no. (PHS)TP-92/08.
