HEALTH CONSULTATION

HOFMANN INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
SINKING SPRING, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

CONCLUSIONS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conclude that groundwater at the Hofmann Industries, Inc., site (the site) is not a public health hazard. We base this conclusion on the following facts. First, the Citizens Utilities Water Company public supply well No. 18A has shown no contamination for more than ten years. Second, PADOH could find no evidence that drinking water contaminated with CR+6 at levels of health concern ever reached any consumers. Third, and finally, the four homes in the area not on public water supply are upgradient (southwest) of the site.

The home well that showed lead at 189 micrograms per liter in 1989 was contaminated from a source other than Hofmann Industries, Inc. PADOH could find no record that states that the residents of the home in question were advised of the high lead results of the sampling in 1989.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Resample the home well that was sampled in 1989 and test for heavy metals. The Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) will provide appropriate health education if chemical sampling analysis results exceed recommended health standards. PADOH will provide health education on the historical data as well as on routine water quality testing and maintenance recommendations for private residential well owners.
2. Resample the production wells on site and test for heavy metals.
3. Review Citizens Utilities Water Company chemical analyses monitoring reports for well No. 18A from time to time as required.
4. Provide health education to the residents using a spring as their water supply relative to routine water quality testing and maintenance because the quality of spring water often fluctuates when compared to well water. PADOH will complete this activity.

REFERENCES

1. NUS Corporation. Site Inspection Report for Hofmann Industries, Inc. February 12, 1990.

2. Gannett Fleming, Inc. Site Inspection Prioritization Report for Hofmann Industries, Inc. February 7, 1995.

3. Personal communications with Stephen Gibbs, Citizens Utilities Water Company, November 20, 1997.

4. Pennsylvania Department of Health. Field Conference Memorandum. May 5, 1969.

PREPARERS OF REPORT

Mark A. Lavin, B.S.
Barbara C. Allerton, M.P.H., R.N., C.

CERTIFICATION

This Health Consultation for the Hofmann Industries, Inc., site was prepared by the Pennsylvania 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 Health Consultation was initiated.

Bobbie Erlwein
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC), ATSDR, has reviewed this Health Consultation and concurs with its findings.

Richard Gillig
Chief, SPS, SSAB, DHAC

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