PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
LOWER ECORSE CREEK DUMP
WYANDOTTE, WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the information and data provided for this assessment, the Lower Ecorse Creek Dump site posed a urgent public health hazard in the past due to human exposure to soil and basement air containing cyanide at concentrations of human health concern.(6) The groundwater at the site is also contaminated with a cyanide compound, though the only documented exposure to the groundwater is through seepage into a basement on the site. Cyanide-contaminated surface soil has been removed from the only property where contamination at the surface has been documented. The walls and floor of a basement on the site where high concentrations of cyanide in the air were found and seepage of contaminated water occurred have been sealed to prevent cyanide-contaminated groundwater from entering. After these remedial actions have been completed, the site currently poses no apparent health hazard. The U.S. EPA is continuing to investigate the site area to determine the extent of the contamination.
The recommendations made in the 1993 ATSDR Public Health Advisory concerning the site (2) have been addressed as follows:
Permanent remedial measures should be implemented as soon as possible – The removal of contaminated soil in the 1993 U.S. EPA Emergency Removal Action is a permanent remedial measure. Permanent measures to remedy the contamination of the groundwater have not been implemented. Although groundwater is not used in the site vicinity, residents and visitors may be exposed to the water through seepage into basements in the site area.
The site should be considered for U.S. EPA's National Priorities List – The U.S. EPA placed the site on the NPL in January 1994.
Residents of the site area should be surveyed to locate private wells in the site area – The Work Plan for the Remedial Investigation of the site states, "Private and public water supply wells within a 2-mile radius shall also be identified." (Reference 3, p. 2-4)
Restrictions on digging in the site area should be considered – The U.S. EPA has advised residents of the site area not to dig in their yards (23).
The ATSDR Division of Health Studies should evaluate reports of adverse health effects to determine the source of these effects – ATSDR and U.S. EPA evaluations of the health problems experienced by one young resident of the site area have not identified a connection between these effects and his potential exposure to the cyanide compounds in the soil, air, and groundwater at his home (2).
The MDPH makes no further recommendations at this time.
A Health Activities Recommendation Panel convened by ATSDR and MDPH has evaluated the data and information developed for the Lower Ecorse Creek Dump Public Health Assessment for appropriate follow-up health actions. The panel determined that there are indications that people were exposed to soil and groundwater containing cyanide compounds at concentrations potentially of human health concern. The cyanide compounds found at the site, however, bind the cyanide ion tightly and are much less toxic than the cyanide compounds for which the levels of health concern are derived. A resident of the site has alleged that health problems experienced by a family member are related to contamination at the site. The MDPH and ATSDR have evaluated these problems and could not identify any connection to the contamination. The panel recommends that MDPH, ATSDR, and local health departments continue their on-going program of health education to address the health concerns expressed by residents of the site area.
Public Health Action Plans (PHAP) are developed to describe actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) at and in the vicinity of sites subsequent to the completion of Public Health Assessments. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that Public Health Assessments not only identify public health hazards, but also provide 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 to be implemented by ATSDR and/or MDPH are as follows:
Health Actions Undertaken
The U.S. EPA has consulted with ATSDR concerning this site on five occasions since 1989, and ATSDR issued four consultations and a Public Health Advisory for this site. ATSDR and MDPH personnel have met with residents, public service officials, and physicians to discuss the health hazards associated with the site. ATSDR and MDPH have distributed educational materials including a site-specific fact sheet.
ATSDR and U.S. EPA have evaluated the health problems experienced by one young resident of the site area. These evaluations have not identified a connection between these effects and his potential exposure to the cyanide compounds in the soil, air, and groundwater at his home (2).
Health Actions Planned
MDPH, ATSDR, and local health departments will continue to develop and implement a program of health education to address the health concerns expressed by residents of the site area.
ATSDR and MDPH will coordinate with federal and state environmental agencies to carry out the recommendations made in this assessment.
ATSDR will reevaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan when needed. New environmental, toxicological, or health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions and recommendations may determine the need for additional actions at this site.
Michigan Department of Public Health
Michael Lee, Environmental Toxicologist
James Bedford, Environmental Toxicologist
Robin Freer, GIS Specialist
Brendan Boyle, Health Assessment Coordinator
John Hesse, Principal Investigator
Louise Fabinski
Regional Services, Region V
Office of the Assistant Administrator
William Greim
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
The Lower Ecorse Creek Dump Public Health Assessment was prepared by the Michigan 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 health assessment was initiated.
William Greim, M.S., M.P.H
Technical Project Officer
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC)
ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this health assessment and concurs with its findings.
Richard Gillig
for Robert C. Williams, P.E., DEE
Director, DHAC, ATSDR
