PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT ADDENDUM

SOMERSWORTH MUNICIPAL LANDFILL
SOMERSWORTH, STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONCLUSIONS

Based upon the most recent information reviewed for the Somersworth Sanitary Landfill Site NH DPHS and ATSDR believe that this site poses an indeterminate public health hazard. The limited available data do not indicate that humans are being or have been exposed to levels of contamination that would be expected to cause adverse health effects. However, data or information are not available for all environmental media to which humans may be exposed. There is a data gap for whether an explosive hazard from methane gas exists. Risks associated with this pathway cannot be assessed without additional data.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that residential wells in the vicinity of the landfill continue to be monitored for VOCs on a regular basis in order to document water quality. Finally it is recommended that soil gas sampling be conducted to assess the potential explosive hazard risks to buildings surrounding the landfill.

HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION PANEL (HARP)
RECOMMENDATION

The data and information in the public health assessment for the Somersworth Sanitary Landfill, Somersworth, NH have been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel for appropriate follow-up with respect to health. The panel determined that no follow-up health actions are indicated at this time. If data or information become available suggesting that human exposure to hazardous substances, at levels of public health concern, is currently occurring or has occurred in the past, ATSDR will reevaluate this site for any indicated follow-up.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for Somersworth Sanitary Landfill Site contains a description of actions to be taken by NH DPHS and NH DES at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this public health assessment. For those actions already taken at the site, please see the Background Section of this Public Health Assessment Addendum. The purpose of the PHAP 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 from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment associated with this site. Included is a commitment on the part of NH DPHS to ensure that the follow-up actions outlined in this plan are implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by NH DPHS and NH DES are as follows:

NH DES will continue to sample residential wells in the vicinity of the landfill on a periodic basis to document water quality. NH DES will forward residential well sampling data to NH DPHS for review when contamination is detected. NH DPHS will evaluate water quality data to determine whether exposure to contaminated water poses a health risk.

ATSDR will provide an annual follow-up to this PHAP, indicating the status of the action presented in this plan. This report will be placed in repositories that contain copies of this health assessment, and will be provided to persons who request it.

NH DPHS will reevaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan when needed. New environmental, toxicological, or 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 Somersworth Municipal Landfill site was prepared by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services 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 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.

Division Director, DHAC, ATSDR

PREPARERS OF ADDENDUM

John L. Guty
Environmental Health Specialist
NH Division of Public Health Services

Dennis A. Pinski
Environmentalist III
NH Division of Public Health Services

Ellen G. Cavalier, MPH
Supervisor, Risk Assessment Program
NH Division of Public Health Services

Rosalyn D. Lee
Environmental Engineer
Division of Health Assessment
and Consultation

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:

Louise A. House
Regional Representative
Regional Services

TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER:

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

REFERENCES

1. Draft Feasibility Study for the Somersworth Landfill, Somersworth, New Hampshire, Prepared by Canonie Environmental Services Corp., Englewood, CO for Somersworth Landfill Trust, Somersworth, NH. February 1991.



2. Remedial Investigation Data Gathering Report for the Somersworth Landfill, Somersworth, New Hampshire, Prepared by Canonie Environmental Services Corp., Englewood, CO for Somersworth Landfill Trust, Somersworth, NH. May 1992.



3. Memorandum on analysis of water samples taken from private residential wells in the Blackwater Road area. From P.C. Lincoln, P.E. (State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services) to three individuals residing on or near Blackwater Road. July 3, 1991.



4. Health Assessment, Somersworth Municipal Landfill Site, Somersworth, New Hampshire, Prepared by New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services, Concord, NH for Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA. April 1989.



5. Personal Communication with Engineer for the City of Somersworth New Hampshire. September 1992



6. Personal Communication from Mary Conrad, New Hampshire State Cancer Registry. June 20, 1991.



7. Personal Communication from Elvin Wilmoth, City of Somersworth Health Officer. June 19, 1991.



8. ATSDR. Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), DHHS(PHS) PB92-147164. Atlanta, GA. March 1992.



9. Draft Remedial Investigation for the Somersworth Municipal Landfill, Somersworth, New Hampshire, Prepared by Wehran Engineers and Scientists, Methuen, MA for New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Concord, NH. May 1988.



10. Personal Communication with EPA Remedial Project Manager



11. Personal Communication with DES Remedial Project Manager, July 29, 1993.

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