Currently, there is a public health hazard to individuals who eat fish from the off-site pond.
Tissue sampling of fish taken from the off-site pond revealed mercury contamination at levels of
health concern. The pond water and sediment poses an indeterminate public health hazard
because mercury was present at high levels in the initial sampling but was absent in a subsequent
surface water sample.
There is no apparent public health hazard from on-site exposure because 1) access to the site is
restricted by a fence surrounding the site, and 2) the site is covered by a clay cap. If the site is
converted to a recreational or residential area in the future, on-site workers or residents could be
exposed to contaminants in the subsurface soil. Also, if private wells are installed at the site in the
future, exposure to groundwater contaminants is possible.
Groundwater in the site area and the Mississinewa River downstream of the site have elevated levels of sodium.
The ISDH Environmental Epidemiology Section has reviewed all available information regarding
the site. The following recommendations are made in response to statements made in the
Conclusions Section:
Restrict access to the off-site pond until further information is collected through routine
monitoring of the pond. In addition, fish from the off-site pond should not be consumed until
additional sampling of the fish and pond has been conducted.
Conduct additional sampling of surface water, sediment, and fish in the off-site pond to
determine the extent of contamination by mercury or other contaminants of concern.
Continue restriction of access to the site to prevent exposure to contaminants in the soil and on-site pond.
Routinely monitor the Mississinewa River for increased concentrations of sodium and other
site-related contaminants.
Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendations
In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 as amended, the data and information developed in the Marion (Bragg) Public Health
Assessment have been evaluated by the Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) for
appropriate follow-up health actions. The ISDH will continue to provide community health
education on site-related health issues. HARP concurred with the ISDH that although it is
possible that individuals were previously exposed to on-site contaminants during recreational
activities, adverse health effects are unlikely because of the short time period and low levels of
exposure. In addition, because these potentially exposed individuals cannot be identified, no other
follow-up actions are indicated at this time. If any additional data become available that suggest
that human exposure to hazardous substances at levels that could cause illness or injury is
occurring, ATSDR and ISDH will reevaluate this site for appropriate follow-up.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION
Actions Planned
Based on the recommendations made in the public health assessment, the following public health actions have been or will be undertaken.
ISDH will continue to provide community health education on site-related health issues.
ISDH will work jointly with EPA and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
to accomplish the following:
additional sampling of surface water, sediment, and fish in the off-site pond is conducted; and
restricting access to the off-site pond until further information is collected through routine monitoring of the pond.
Actions Undertaken
The Mississinewa River is routinely monitored for increased concentrations of sodium and
other contaminants.
The Marion (Bragg) Dump Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Indiana State
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 begun.
William Greim
Technical Project Officer
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC)
ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health
assessment, and concurs with its findings.
Richard Gillig
for Robert C. Williams, P.E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
