PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
PALMETTO RECYCLING, INCORPORATED
COLUMBIA, RICHLAND COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
The PRI site is classified as being a public health hazard. This classification is based on the factthat the available data indicate humans may be exposed to substances in the environment that,after long-term exposures, may cause adverse health effects. However, surface soil samples (0" -3" in depth) are needed from on-site and off-site locations to better evaluate the potential for human exposures to this media.
Contaminants of concern were identified in on-site soil and groundwater and in off-site soil,groundwater, surface water, and sediment. Contaminants of concern at the PRI site include:arsenic, iron, manganese, and lead. A completed exposure pathway for ingestion of lead in soilwas identified for the PRI site. Contaminants were detected in on-site and off-site soil. Exposures could occur to anyone who may accidentally ingest or have dermal contact withcontaminated soils. Potential pathways were identified for on-site soils, groundwater, and air andfor off-site soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment. Human exposures could occur in thefuture through ingestion, inhalation, and/or dermal contact with contaminated media.
Arsenic and lead were detected in off-site soil samples. Arsenic, iron, manganese, and lead weredetected in off-site groundwater samples. The highest off-site contaminant concentrations weredetected in samples taken from the monitoring wells to the east of the site. Available data indicatethat groundwater contamination has migrated toward Dry Fork Creek. Contaminants were alsodetected in surface water and sediments samples collected from an unnamed tributary and samplescollected from Dry Fork Creek.
We identified several data gaps throughout the PHA process. Data inadequacies include the following:
| a. | Surface soil samples (0-3 inches deep) were not collected from on-site and off-sitelocations. The soil samples collected during the Remedial Investigation were 0-12inches deep. Surface soil samples and additional soil samples should be collected todetermine the extent of contamination on the site and of the contaminant migration fromthe PRI site. Specifically, surface soil samples should be collected from: 1) the tworesidential yards adjacent to the site and to the south of Koon Store Road; 2) and, fromoff-site areas to the east of the site. |
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| b. | Environmental data for groundwater does not adequately characterize the extent ofcontamination that exists off the PRI site. The magnitude of the groundwater plumeshould be fully determined. |
| c. | Environmental data for surface water and sediments do not adequately characterize theextent of site-related contamination that may have migrated to Dry Fork Creek. |
Cease/Reduce Exposure Recommendations
- Ensure that the perimeter of the site is secured to prevent trespassing onto the site.
- Remediate the contaminated soil in off-site and on-site locations; specifically, contaminated soilfrom the drainage ditch located east of the site along Koon Store Road and in the on-site truck scale area,
Site Characterization Recommendations
The following recommendations are for additional sampling from on-site and off-site locations atthe Palmetto Recycling site. The implementation of the recommendations are necessary in orderto make an accurate and complete assessment of public health implications and in order to addresscommunity health concerns.
- Collect on-site and off-site surface soil samples (0-3 inches) to characterize the contamination that may exist at the PRI site. Off-site surface soil samples should be collected from the two residences to the south of the site and adjacent to Koon Store Road. We also recommend that surface soil samples be collected from the area from the east to southeast of the site adjacent to Dry Fork Creek.
- Additional groundwater samples are needed to better characterize and define the presence of a groundwater contaminant plume, if any. The RI indicates that contaminants have migrated off-site toward Dry Fork Creek.
- Additional surface water and sediment samples should be collected to better determine theextent of site-related contaminants that may exist off the site and to provide information aboutcontaminant transport in these media.
Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendations
In accordance with CERCLA, as amended, the data and information contained in the PalmettoRecycling Incorporated Public Health Assessment have been evaluated by the ATSDR HealthActivities Recommendation Panel for appropriate follow-up with respect to health actions. TheHARP stated that the implementation of the recommendations made in this public healthassessment are necessary in order to completely characterize the public health implications, if any,from the Palmetto recycling site. Based on the high levels of lead in soil, the HARP recommendscommunity education to address community health concerns.
The Public Health Action Plan, (PHAP) for the PRI site contains a description of actions to betaken by ATSDR and/or the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control(SCDHEC) at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this public healthassessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public health assessment not onlyidentifies public health hazards, but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and preventadverse health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. Included, is a commitment on the part of ATSDR and/or SCDHEC to follow-up on this plan toensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by ATSDR and/or SCDHEC are as follows:
| 1) | SCDHEC will provide health consultations as needed to evaluate new sampling data forthis site as it becomes available. Further environmental or health outcome data maydetermine the need for additional health-related actions at the PRI site. |
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| 2) | SCDHEC will consider sampling surface soil at the two residences to the south of thesite to determine if contaminants exist at levels of concern. |
| 3) | SCDHEC will remain available to answer any questions that the community may havepertaining to the site. |
ATSDR and SCDHEC will follow-up with the EPA and other agencies to confirm implementationof other recommendations contained in this public health assessment.
- Robert F. Marino, MD, MPH
Director
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation
John F. Brown, DVM, PhD
State Toxicologist
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation
Lovyst L. Luker
Project Administrator
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation
William T. Going, MPH
Environmental Quality Manager
SCDHEC, Division of Health Hazard Evaluation
ATSDR Regional Representative:
Robert Safay
Public Health Advisor
Office of the Assistant Administrator
ATSDR Technical Project Officer:
Richard R. Kauffman, M.S.
Technical Project Officer
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment & Consultation
CERTIFICATION
This Palmetto Recycling, Inc. Public Health Assessment was prepared by the South CarolinaDepartment of Health and Environmental Control 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
Roy F. Weston, Inc. Draft Baseline Risk Assessment for the Palmetto Recycling Site. October 1993.
