Based on the information reviewed, PADOH has concluded that this site represents no apparent public health hazard, since available data do not indicate that off-site humans are being or have been exposed to levels of contaminants that would be expected to cause adverse health effects, and there are no community-specific health outcome data to indicate that the site has had an adverse impact on human health. However, comprehensive data or information are not available for all environmental media to which on-site workers may be exposed. If the results of the following, recommended, chemical-specific air monitoring of the on-site breathing zone indicate the on-site air poses a health threat, the site may be reassessed and a Public Health Assessment Addendum prepared.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Cease/Reduce Exposure Recommendations

1. Maintain site fencing and all access restrictions.
2. Install additional monitoring and/or extraction wells as needed to control groundwater flow.
3. Provide on-site remedial workers with adequate protective equipment and training, and follow appropriate National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.

Site Characterization Recommendations

1. Conduct quarterly monitoring of nearby private residential wells to determine if groundwater migration is impacting these wells.
2. Conduct chemical-specific air monitoring of the on-site breathing zone for benzene and other VOCs to evaluate potential harmful health effects to on-site workers breathing this air.

Health Activities Recommendations Panel (HARP) Recommendations

The data and information developed in the Public Health Assessment for Modern Landfill site, York County, Pennsylvania, has been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation (HARP) for appropriate follow-up health activities. Although exposure to on-site workers may be currently occurring and probably has occurred in the past, this site is not being considered or follow-up health activities at this time because the levels and duration of exposure cannot be characterized. This site will be re-evaluated when the on-site breathing zone air sampling results, as recommended, are available.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Public Health Actions Planned

PADOH is planning to evaluate the results of future air monitoring and groundwater sampling and will prepare a Public Health Assessment Addendum, if warranted.

ATSDR will coordinate with the appropriate agencies regarding actions to be taken in response to those recommendations provided in this Public Health Assessment for which no plan of action has yet been developed.

CERTIFICATION

This Public Health Assessment 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 public health assessment was initiated.

Gregory V. 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.

Robert C. Williams
Division Director, DHAC, ATSDR

PREPARERS OF REPORT

Preparers of Report:

Robert M. Stroman, R.Ph.
Pharmacist
Pennsylvania Department of Health

Kandiah Sivarajah, Ph.D.
Director, Health Assessment Program and State Toxicologist
Pennsylvania Department of Health

ATSDR Regional Representative:

Charles Walters
Public Health Advisor
EPA Region III
Office of the Assistant Administrator

ATSDR Technical Project Officer:

Gregory Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer
Remedial Programs Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

REFERENCES

1. Golder Associates, 1990. Phase 1 Remedial Investigation Report, Modern Landfill, York, Pennsylvania, Volumes I and II, Prepared for EPA Region III by Golder Associates, April, 1990.
2. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Preliminary Health Assessment for Modern Sanitary Landfill, York, Pennsylvania, Office of Health Assessment, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, January 4, 1989.
3. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for 1,1-Dichloroethene, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, December, 1989.
4. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for 1,2-Dichloroethene, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, December, 1990.
5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Benzene, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, May, 1989.
6. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Carbon Tetrachloride, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, December, 1989.
7. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Methylene Chloride, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, April, 1989.
8. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Vinyl Chloride, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, August, 1989.
9. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Tetrachloroethene, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, January, 1990.
10. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Toxicological Profile for Trichloroethene, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia, October, 1989.

APPENDICES

Figure 1.

Figure 2.