HEALTH CONSULTATION

Evaluation of Health Risks from Consuming Vegetation Foraged
in Kelly Brook Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Beede Waste Oil NPL Site

BEEDE WASTE OIL SITE
PLAISTOW, ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONCLUSIONS

1. There was no non-cancer health threat was identified for individuals (children or adults) consuming marsh marigolds in the Kelley Brook wetlands.
2. There is a very small increase in cancer risk to adults consuming six meals per year of marsh marigold at the maximum level of arsenic contamination over a lifetime.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Individuals ingesting marsh marigolds should limit consumption of marsh marigolds to no more than 6 meals/year (one meal is approximately 86 grams or 3 oz.). Marsh marigolds should be thoroughly boiled or steamed before eating.

Further evaluation and recommendations will be made as additional data and information become available.

REFERENCES

1. Personal communication with Russell Cohen, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

2. United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Exposure Factors Handbook, EPA/600/8-89/043, Auguat 1996, Table 9-8.

3. United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Soil Screening Guidance Technical Background Document, EPA/540/R-95/128, July 1998.

4. O'Connor et al. 1990. Plant uptake of sludge-borne PCBs. Jounral Environmental Quality 19:113-118.

5. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (NHDHHS) Preliminary Survey of Metal Concentrations in New Hampshire Soils, May 1991.

Next Section          Table of Contents