ATSDR - PHA - Langley Air Force Base and Nasa Langley Research Center, Hampton, York County, Virginia

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ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE
and
NASA LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER
HAMPTON, YORK COUNTY, VIRGINIA

ATSDR has drawn the following conclusions from current environmental data and information on the Langley AFB and NASA LaRC sites:

The occasional ingestion of fish or shellfish from Tabbs Creek in the past does not appear to pose a public health hazard. Fishing is currently prohibited in the creek. Due to environmental contamination, ATSDR agrees that fishing should be prohibited, and should continue to be prohibited until the cleanup activities are complete and fish and shellfish data indicate they are safe to eat. Data for fish and shellfish in the Back River are not currently available; ATSDR will review these investigation results when they become available.

Past exposure to surface soil contamination at the former playground at Langley AFB Site OT-06 does not appear to pose a public health hazard. Because the site is no longer used as a playground and will not be used for the Child Development Center, no public health hazards currently exist or are expected to exist in the future.

Sporadic exposure to contaminants in soil at Langley AFB Sites OT-25 and FT-41 does not pose a public health hazard.

Physical hazards have been removed at Langley AFB Site OT-25, and therefore no longer pose a public health hazard. ATSDR recommends that physical hazards at Langley AFB Site FT-41 be fully restricted by a fence surrounding the site.

Langley AFB Site LF-12 does not pose a public health hazard.

While the Air Force's current lead-based paint management plan appears to be comprehensive, ATSDR recommends that surface soil outside the on-base housing be sampled for lead and remedial actions be taken if necessary.

Surface soil at NASA LaRC Site 4 has not been fully characterized. Although use of the site is industrial and access is restricted, ATSDR recommends that surface soil be characterized to ensure that no public health hazards exist.

On the basis of information available, ATSDR concludes that the Langley AFB and NASA LaRC sites should be assigned to the No Apparent Public Health Hazard category.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN

The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for Langley AFB and NASA LaRC contains a description of actions taken and those planned by ATSDR, the Air Force, NASA, EPA, the Virginia State Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality at and in the vicinity of the sites after the completion of this public health assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this public health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but also provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. The public health actions that are completed, being implemented, or planned are as follows:

Completed Actions

NASA has performed a remedial investigation of Tabbs Creek and has remediated potential sources of contamination.

Fishing is prohibited in Tabbs Creek.

Langley AFB has removed the former playground at Site OT-06 and abandoned plans to build a Child Development Center there.

Langley AFB has demolished the building at Site OT-25, remediated soil, and surrounded the site with a fence.

Langley AFB has put a fence across the access road to Site FT-41.

Langley AFB stopped using Site LF-12 as a storage area for fill material.

Ongoing Actions/Planned Actions

NASA will clean up sediments in Tabbs Creek.

Langley AFB is performing a preliminary assessment/site investigation, including sediment sampling, of the Back River. The Department of Natural Resources at Langley AFB is performing a water quality assessment of the Back River, including biota sampling. Reports from these studies are expected in early 1999. ATSDR will review the results of the studies when they are available and revise the conclusions of this public health assessment if necessary.

The Air Force has a childhood blood lead level screening program and a lead-based paint management plan in place.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (also known as Superfund), as amended, requires ATSDR to conduct needed follow-up health actions in communities living near hazardous waste sites. To identify appropriate actions, ATSDR created the Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP). HARP has evaluated the data and information contained in the Langley AFB/NASA LaRC public health assessment for appropriate public health actions. The Division of Health Education and Promotion will consider the site for a health education needs assessment.

PREPARERS OF REPORT

Amanda Stoddard, M.P.H.
Environmental Health Scientist
Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

Gary Campbell, Ph.D.
Environmental Health Scientist
Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

REFERENCES

Air Force. 1993. U.S. Department of the Air Force. Management action plan, Langley AFB, Hampton, Virginia. December 1993.

ATSDR. 1994. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Langley Air Force Base and Langley NASA Research Center site summary, Hampton, Virginia. October 1994.

ATSDR. 1998. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Telephone conversation with Vern Bartels, Chief, Environmental Restoration, Langley AFB, regarding population data. June 2, 1998.

Ebasco. 1990. Ebasco Services Incorporated. Summary Report: Area E Warehouse site assessment, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. NASA Contract No. NASW-4301, Task Order No. 24. September 1990.

Ebasco. 1991. Ebasco Services Incorporated. Final data summary and status report: Clean-up PCB/PCT contamination of storm sewer, engineering assessment, NASA Langley Research Center. Contract No. NASW-4031, Task Order No. 034. December 1991.

Ebasco. 1993. Ebasco Services Incorporated. Final engineering assessment of PCB/PCT in storm sewers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. January 1993.

Ebasco. 1995. Ebasco Services Incorporated. Draft Final NASA LaRC Pyrotechnics Area expanded site investigation report. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, NASA Task Assignment No. 11. January 1995.

Ebasco. 1996. Ebasco Services Incorporated. Revised draft final: NPL facility management plan for NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, NASA Task Order No. 20. Volumes I and II. January 1996.

EPA. 1993. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Langley Air Force Base/NASA Langley Research Center EPA National Priorities List fact sheet. Last modified August 1993.

EPA. 1997. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Draft proposed plan for remedial action, NASA Langley Research Center, Area E Warehouse Operable Unit. October 1997.

ERM Program Management Company. 1996. Draft baseline risk assessment, IRP Site SS-61, Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia. Prepared for Headquarters, Air Combat Command, CEVR, Langley AFB, Virginia. USACE Contract No. DACW45-93-D-0017, Delivery Order No. 0011, Air Force Project No. MUHJ947105. Exton, PA. April 29, 1996.

Foster Wheeler. 1996. Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation. Final: Remedial investigation for Tabbs Creek, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, NASA Task Assignment No. 9. Volumes I and II. May 1996.

Foster Wheeler. 1997a. Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation. Draft final: Focused feasibility study report for the Stratton Substation Site, NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, Task Order No. 94. May 1997.

Foster Wheeler. 1997b. Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation. Final: Feasibility study for Tabbs Creek, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, NASA Task Assignment No. 9. May 1997.

Foster Wheeler. 1997c. Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation. Draft: Remedial investigation report for the Construction Debris Landfill Site, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, NASA Task Order No. 56. Volumes I through III. Lanham, Maryland. September 1997.

Foster Wheeler 1997d. Foster Wheeler Environmental Corporation. Draft: Feasibility study for Construction Debris Landfill, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. NASA Contract No. NASW-4598, Task No. 56. November 1997.

IT. 1997. International Technology Corporation. Final work plan: Field monitoring and remedial activities, POL Groups A & B. U.S. Air Force Project No. MUHJ967027 POL Group A and MUHJ967029 POL Group B. IT Project No. 771741. Monroeville, PA. September 1997.

IT. 1998. International Technology Corporation. First quarter report: Field monitoring and remedial activities, POL Groups A & B. U.S. Air Force Project No. MUHJ967027 POL Group A and MUHJ967029 POL Group B. IT Project No. 771741. Monroeville, PA. January 1998.

Langley AFB. 1995. Langley Air Force Base. Lead-based paint management plan, Langley AFB. Volume I of III. April 27, 1995.

Langley AFB. 1997. Langley Air Force Base. Community relations plan 1996 update, Langley AFB, Hampton, Virginia. February 1997.

Law. 1990. Law Environmental, Inc. Draft report: Site investigation for storm sewer outfalls for Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia, Contract No. DACW45-89-D-0050. Prepared for: Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska. December 1990.

Law. 1991. Law Environmental, Inc. Review draft site investigation report: Site investigations of several storm sewer outfalls for silver at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Prepared for: Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska. Contract No. DACW45-89-D-0050, Delivery Order 0017, Modification P00002. August 1991.

Law. 1992. Law Environmental, Inc. Final site investigation report: Site investigation of several storm sewer outfalls for chlorinated pesticides and PCBs at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Prepared for: Omaha District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, Nebraska. Contract No. DACW45-89-D-0050, Delivery Order 0017, Modification P00002. July 1992.

NASA LaRC. 1996. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center. Revised Community Relations Plan for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia 23681-0001. Prepared by Office of Environmental Engineering, Office of Safety, Environment and Mission Assurance and FOCUS GROUP. August 1996.

Radian. 1994. Radian Corporation. Community relations plan, prepared for United States Air Force Installation Restoration Program, Langley Air Force Base, Hampton, Virginia. May 1994.

Radian. 1996. Radian Corporation. Draft Installation Restoration Program (IRP) site inspection and screen risk assessment report for 33 IRP sites. Prepared for Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. USAF Project No. MUHJ-92-7001, 02, 03, 04, 06, 09, USAF Project No. MUHJ-92-7007, 08, 10, 11, and USAF Project No. MUHJ-92-7014, Radian Contract No. DACW45-91-D-0018, Delivery Order Nos. 0011, 0015, and 0023. Volumes I and II. February 29, 1996.

Radian. 1997a. Radian International LLC. Site summary document for DP-09. Prepared for: Langley Air Force Base, Langley AFB, Virginia. USAF Project Nos. MUHJ-92-7007, 7008, 7010, and 7011, USACE Contract No. DACW45-91-D-0018, Delivery Order No. 0015. February 1997.

Radian. 1997b. Radian International LLC. Site closeout document for SS-23. Prepared for: Langley Air Force Base, Langley AFB, Virginia. USAF Project Nos. MUHJ-92-7007, 7008, 7010, and 7011, USACE Contract No. DACW45-91-D-0018, Delivery Order No. 0015. February 1997.

Radian. 1997c. Radian International LLC. Site closeout document for OT-40. Prepared for: Langley Air Force Base, Langley AFB, Virginia. USAF Project Nos. MUHJ-92-7007, 7008, 7010, and 7011, USACE Contract No. DACW45-91-D-0018, Delivery Order No. 0015. February 1997.

Radian. 1997d. Radian International LLC. Final Installation Restoration Program (IRP) remedial investigation report for Site OT-06. Prepared for Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. USAF Contract No. MUHJ95-7110, Radian Contract No. DACW45-93-D-0027, Delivery Order No. 0028. Volumes I through III. May 30, 1997.

Radian. 1997e. Radian International LLC. Installation Restoration Program (IRP) baseline human health risk assessment for Site OT-06. Prepared for: Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. USAF Contract Nos. MUHJ95-7110/MUHJ95-7110-1, Radian Contract No. DACW45-93-D-0027, Delivery Order No. 0028. May 30, 1997.

Radian. 1998. Radian International LLC. Final preliminary assessment report for the Dirigible Area of Concern at Langley Air Force Base. USAF Contract No. MUHJ96-7112, Radian Contract No. DACA45-96-D-0006, USACE Delivery Order 0005. January 1998.

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