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PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

GENEVA INDUSTRIES/FUHRMANN ENERGY
HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS



CONCLUSIONS

  1. Based on the information reviewed, the Geneva Industries site currently poses no apparent public health hazard. Although there is evidence of past exposure to site contaminants, remedial actions have eliminated the completed exposure pathways. The remedial actions taken have involved the removal and containment of the sources of contamination. The remedial actions still planned include recovering and treating contaminated groundwater.
  2. We were able to identify one past completed and four potential exposure pathways. The completed pathway included the ingestion and inhalation of contaminated soils by on-site workers. The potential exposure pathways were: ingestion of off-site sediments, inhalation of on-site air, ingestion of contaminated groundwater, and ingestion of contaminated fish. It is our opinion that the likelihood of significant exposure through the ingestion of contaminated fish is remote. Additionally, in light of the planned groundwater remediation program, the ingestion of contaminated groundwater is also unlikely. In the absence of successful groundwater remediation, other potential contaminants of concern would include: trichloroethylene (TCE), various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, various volatile organic compounds, and 2,4-dinitrotoluene.
  3. We have summarized and addressed the health concerns associated with this site in the Public Health Implications subsection of this document.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Cease/Reduce Exposure Recommendations

  1. The groundwater remediation program should proceed as planned in order to prevent futureexposure to contaminants in groundwater.

Health Activities Recommendation Panel Recommendations

    In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and LiabilityAct of 1980, as amended, the data and information developed in the Geneva Industries site publichealth assessment have been evaluated by the Health Activities Recommendations Panel forappropriate health follow-up actions. There are indications that past exposure has probablyoccurred to on-site workers, however, because of the absence of information on those workersand length of time since exposure ended, no follow-up actions are feasible at this time. Exposureoff-site is not at levels that may cause adverse effects. Therefore, no follow-up actions areindicated for the community. When indicated by public health needs, and as resources permit,ATSDR and TDH will evaluate additional relevant health outcome data and community healthconcerns, as available.

Public Health Actions

    Based on the recommendations made in the health assessment, the following public healthactions have been or will be undertaken.

Actions Undertaken

  1. The Environmental Protection Agency has begun construction of groundwater treatmentfacilities at the site.

PREPARERS OF REPORT

John F. Villanacci, Ph.D.
Staff Epidemiologist, Health Assessment Coordinator
Environmental Epidemiology Program
Texas Department of Health

Susan L. Prosperie, R.S., M.S.
Environmental Quality Specialist
Environmental Epidemiology Program
Texas Department of Health

Nancy B. Ingram
Administrative Technician
Environmental Epidemiology Program
Texas Department of Health

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Carl Hickam, R.S.
Senior Regional Consultant
ATSDR - Region 6

George Pettigrew, P.E.
Regional Representative
ATSDR - Region 6

ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER

William Greim, M.S., M.P.H.
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Remedial Programs Branch
State Programs Section

CERTIFICATION

The Geneva Industries/Fuhrmann Energy public health assessment was prepared by the TexasDepartment of Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances andDisease Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approved methodology and proceduresexisting at the time the public health assessment was begun.

William J. Greim
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public healthassessment, and concurs with its findings.

Robert C. Williams
Director, DHAC, ATSDR

REFERENCES

  1. ATSDR, 1991. Draft Health Assessment Guidance Manual. U.S. Department of Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
  2. Texas Department of Water Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. June 1985. Geneva Industries Site Investigation Report, Houston, Texas, Volumes I and II. Prepared by IT Corporation.
  3. Texas Water Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. January, 1986. Geneva Industries Site Investigation Addendum Report, Houston, Texas. Prepared by IT Corporation.
  4. Texas Water Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. April 1986. Geneva Industries Feasibility Study, Houston, Texas. Prepared by IT Corporation.
  5. September 1986. Record of Decision, Summary of Remedial Alternative Selection, Geneva Industries, Houston, Texas.
  6. Texas Water Commission. March, 1987. Community Relations Plan for Remedial Design/Remedial Action. Geneva Industries Hazardous Waste Site. Houston, Harris County, Texas.
  7. Texas Almanac. 1988-1989. Published by the Dallas Morning News.
  8. ATSDR. October, 1991. Toxicological Profile for Selected PCBs, Draft for Public Comment. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
  9. ATSDR. June, 1989. Toxicological Profile for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, Georgia.
  10. ATSDR. December, 1990. Toxicological Profile for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. U.S. Department of Health and Human services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Rgistry, Atlanta, Georgia.
  11. Texas Water Commission. April, 1988. Texas Superfund Notebook: A Briefing onNational Priority List Sites in Texas, 2nd Edition.


APPENDICES

Appendix A

Figure 1
Figure 1. Site Location Map

Figure 2
Figure 2. Pre-remedial Site Features

Figure 3
Figure 3. Off-Site Water Well Locations

Figure 4
Figure 4. Surface Water Flow

Figure 5
Figure 5. Sample Locations

Figure 6
Figure 6. Extent of Contamination

Appendix B

April 8, 1985 Department of Health and Human Services memorandum from Chief, SuperfundImlementation Group to Public Health Advisor, Environmental Protection Agency Region VI.

This section is not available for the Internet. To obtain a hard copy of the document, please contact:

    Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
    Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
    Attn: Chief, Program Evaluation, Records, and Information Services Branch,
    MS E-56
    1600 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30333

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