The site is judged a public health hazard because of the risk to human health resulting from
probable exposure to hazardous substances at the site in the past. Ingestion of arsenic
contaminated soil 0-12" may have resulted in abdominal pain, diarrhea, and sore throats. Dermal
exposure to chromium in this media could have enhanced already existing dermatitis. Ingestion of
lead contaminated soil may have caused mild hematological effects by disrupting enzyme activity.
All these effects are reversible and would have been effectively halted with the termination of
exposure, which is no longer believed to be ongoing.
Currently, the site poses a no apparent public health hazard for several reasons: (1) the
presence of a fence and 24 hour security prevents access to the site by unauthorized personnel; (2)
on going remediation has reduced the migration of contaminants off-site and the release of
contaminants into the ambient air; and (3) the use of Hall's Brook Holding area for recreational
purposes is highly unlikely due to it's location in an industrialized area.
Concerns about the impact of the Woburn environment on human health focused on the serious
elevation is both total and male childhood leukemia incidence, as well as elevations in kidney
cancer mortality. A panel of experts was convened by the MDPH to determine if a link exists
between environmental contamination originating from this site and health problems in the vicinity
of the site. Along with Woburn Environment and Birth Study (WEBS), which was designed to
address the concerns of the panel, the MDPH conducted an expanded case control study of
childhood leukemia.
An analysis of health outcome data (WEBS study) did not indicate an elevated incidence of
adverse reproductive outcomes in Woburn when compared to twelve surrounding communities.
Analyses of health outcome data within Woburn itself did not indicate that environmental
contaminants in the public water supply had an adverse effect on the reproductive health of
exposed subgroups of Woburn residents.
Site related contaminants have reached the Aberjona River and the groundwater of the
Aberjona River aquifer. Since the Aberjona River aquifer is not used as a potable water supply it
is unlikely that exposure will occur via this pathway. Contaminants are present in the Aberjona
River at low concentrations which are not expected to result in adverse health effects to people
who use the river for recreational purposes.
Elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in soil gas (or bore hole air) occurred in the past; however,
hydrogen sulfide has not been detected in ambient air at the site. Currently, the risk of exposure
to hydrogen sulfide in soil gas has been effectively reduced by stabilization of the hide piles and
thermal oxidation of the soil gas. Past elevations of hydrogen sulfide in soil gas were such that
anyone exposed without proper personal protective equipment were at risk of severe health
effects.
Prohibit the use of contaminated portions of the Aberjona River Aquifer for potable purposes.
Determine the extent of site contamination in sediments downstream in the Aberjona River.
Provide personal protective gear to workers on site during remediation in order to minimize
their exposure and the subsequent risk of adverse health effects.
The MDPH should provide community education related to various site issues.
Monitor incidence of childhood leukemia and kidney cancer in Woburn through the
Massachusetts Cancer Registry.
Should additional information become available that alters the findings of this public health
assessment or addresses the data needs described herein, this public health assessment will be
modified by a health consultation when appropriate.
Determine whether people are fishing in the Hall's Brook Holding Area.
The data and information developed in the public health assessment for the Industri-plex Site,
Woburn, Massachusetts, have been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation
Panel for appropriate follow-up with respect to health activities. Because of probable past
exposure and community health concerns regarding adverse health effects, the HARP determined
that follow-up health actions are indicated. Community education is the primary activity indicated
by HARP in order to assist the community in understanding its potential for exposures and
assessing any adverse health occurrences. The results of the Woburn Environment and Birth
Study and Woburn Childhood Leukemia Follow-up Study should also be addressed within this
education program. HARP concluded that no other health studies or actions are needed at this
time because of WEBS and the Childhood Leukemia Follow-Up Study.
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Industri-Plex NPL Site contains a description of
actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the MDPH at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to
the completion of this Public Health Assessment. For those actions taken at the site, please see
the Background section of this document. 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 resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances in the environment. Included is a commitment on the part of ATSDR/MDPH to
ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented are as follows:
The MDPH will continue to monitor cancer incidence rates for the town of Woburn through
the Massachusetts Cancer Registry at the MDPH.
The MDPH will provide education to the Woburn community to assist in their understanding
of potential exposures and assessing any adverse health occurrences. The results of the Woburn
Environment and Birth Study and Woburn Childhood Leukemia Follow-Up Study will also be
addressed within this education program.
CERTIFICATION
The public health assessment for the Industri-plex site was prepared by the Massachusetts
Department of Public 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 begun.
Gregory V. Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer, SPS, SSAB, DHAC
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health
assessment, and concurs with its findings.
Agency for Toxicological Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Public Health Service. Health
Assessment for Wells G and H Site. Cerclis No. MAD001002252. Woburn, Massachusetts.
February 21, 1989.
Agency for Toxicological Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Public Health Service.
Toxicological Profiles for -
Antimony, September 1992
Arsenic, April 1993
Cadmium, Update April 1993
Chromium, Update April 1993
Copper, December 1990
1,2-DCA, Update May 1994
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Update April 1993
Lead, Update April 1993
Manganese, July 1992
2-Butanone (MEK), July 1992
PCBs, Update April 1993
PAHs, Draft - Update October 1993
Thallium, July 1992
1,1,1-TCA, Draft - Update October 1993
Zinc, Update October 1992
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering,
"Special Analysis Woburn Waste Site Project." October 1979.
"Evaluation of Hydrogen Sulfide Concentrations at Residential and Commercial Sites
Surrounding a Woburn Construction Area." Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. August 1977.
"Evaluation of the Hydrogeology and Groundwater Quality of East and North Woburn,
Massachusetts." Ecology and Environment Inc. June 25, 1982.
"Inventory and Analysis of Existing Well Data for East and North Woburn, Massachusetts."
January 1981.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Hazardous Wastes. "List
of Confirmed Disposal Sites and Locations To Be Investigated." March 1990.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Massachusetts Health Research Institute.
"Scientific Protocol for the Woburn Environment and Birth Study." May 1990.
Memorandum To: Dick Chelpin from Jim Miller, June 10, 1981 Re: Analysis of
Industriplex-128 Hi-Vol Filters by Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma.
Miller, Jim. "Interim Report of Particulate Monitoring at the Woburn Hazardous Waste Site."
December 12, 1980.
Personal Communication with Woburn Elderly Housing Office. July 1992.
Personal Communication with Woburn Planning Office. July 1992.
Personal Communication with Woburn School Department. July 1992.
"PDI, Task A-1. Baseline Air Survey. Industriplex Site, Woburn, Massachusetts." Golder
Associates Inc. September 1990.
"PDI, Task GW-2. Hydrogeologic Characterization for the Extraction/Recharge System,
Interim Final Report. Industriplex Site, Woburn, Massachusetts." Golder Associates Inc.
December 1990.
"PDI, Task S-1. Extent of Hazardous Substances in Soils, Interim Final Report. Industriplex
Site, Woburn, Massachusetts." Golder Associates Inc. September 1990.
"PDI, Task S-1. Extent of Hazardous Substances in Soils, Supplemental Report. Industriplex
Site, Woburn, Massachusetts." Golder Associates Inc. January 1991.
"PDI, Task SW-1. Extent of Hazardous Substances in Wetlands and Surface Water
Sediments, Interim Report. Industriplex Site, Woburn, Massachusetts." Golder Associates Inc.
August 1990.
"Record of Decision - Remedial Alternative Selection." EPA Region I. September 1986.
U.S. Department of Commerce. "1990 Census of Population: General Population
Characteristics, Massachusetts." Washington, D.C., U.S. Government Printing Office.
"Woburn Environmental Studies Phase I Report." Stauffer Chemical Company. April 1983.
Woburn Environmental Studies Phase II Report." Stauffer Chemical Company. August 1984.
Surface Water Quality Sampling Report for the Fourth Quarter at the Industriplex Site
Remediation Project. October - December 1993. USEPA January 1994
Groundwater/Surface Water Investigation Plan Phase I Remedial Investigation Plan Draft
Report. Roux Associates. June 1991
Groundwater/Surface Water Investigation Plan Phase II Remedial Investigation Plan Draft
Report. Roux Associates. May 1992
Digital Equipment Corporation - Results of an Indoor Air Monitoring Study. Courtesy of
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. December 17, 1993
Digital Equipment Corporation - Results of VOC Personal Sampling. Courtesy of
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. March 8, 1993
100% Design Report Part I Industriplex Site, Woburn, Massachusetts Vol. 1. Golder
Associates April 1992
Preliminary Design Report - Interim Groundwater Remedy, Industriplex Site Woburn,
Massachusetts. ISRT. October 1992
PDI Task A-2 Gas Treatability Interim Final Report, Industriplex Site, Woburn,
Massachusetts. October 1990
MIT Superfund Basic Research Program. MIT Center for Environmental Health Sciences
June 1994
Arena, J. M. and Drew, R. H. (eds) Poisoning: Toxicology, Symptoms, and Treatments 5th
Ed. Charles C. Thomas Springfield 1986
Klassen, D. C.; Amdur M. O. and Doull, J. (eds) Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons 3rd Ed. Macmillan Publishing Co. New York 1986
REFERENCES REVIEWED BUT NOT CITED
PDI Task SW-2 Surface Water Treatability Interim Final Report - Industriplex Site Vol 1.
Golder Associates Inc. April 1991
PDI Task GW-3 Groundwater Treatability Interim Final Report - Industriplex Site Vol 1. Golder
Associates Inc. April 1991
PDI Task A-1 Baseline Air Survey Industriplex Site, Woburn, Massachusetts Golder Associates
Inc. May 1991
PDI Task S-2 Stability of Hide Piles Interim Final Report Industriplex Site Woburn,
Massachusetts September 1990
PDI Task GW-1 Plume Delineation Interim Final Report Industriplex Site, Woburn,
Massachusetts Vol 1 and 2. Golder Associates January 1991
