PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
McCORMICK & BAXTER CREOSOTING COMPANY (PORTLAND)
PORTLAND, MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OREGON
ATSDR considers the site to have been a public health hazard for former plant workers because of past ingestion exposure to arsenic, creosote, pentachlorophenol, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, and dibenzofurans at levels of public health concern. Past estimated exposure doses indicate a low to moderate increased cancer risk. Additional exposure via inhalation or skin contact could increase the health risk.
ATSDR considers the site to pose a public health hazard because people might encounter hazardous chemicals along the shoreline on or near the site at levels that can damage the skin, as was reported to have happened to two boys.
Dioxin levels would pose a public health hazard for people subsisting on contaminated crayfish and suckers.
The site poses an indeterminate public health hazard for nearby residents because of past, present and future inhalation exposure. Insufficient information regarding air contaminant levels prevents the evaluation of inhalation exposure. Some of the information needed for such an evaluation, especially information regarding past exposures, might never be acquired. Community members reported odors and lung effects, including bronchitis, breathing difficulties, lung tissue damage, lung spots, and lung cancer. These self-reported symptoms have not been confirmed by ATSDR. The source or sources of air contaminants causing odors that continue to be reported by community members has not been determined. The adverse lung symptoms are non-specific symptoms known to be experienced by people with no known exposure to hazardous waste, but they are also consistent with exposure to site-related contaminants.
ATSDR considers the site to pose an indeterminate public health hazard to workers on the adjacent industrial property because of incidental soil ingestion. Limited soil data show that contaminant levels are so low that workers are unlikely to get sick from incidental soil ingestion; however, we do not have enough soil sampling information to be reasonably sure that the contaminant concentrations found represent the true concentrations in that area.
ATSDR considers the site to pose no apparent public health hazard for other exposed populations at the present. However, the site should not be developed or otherwise accessed by the public until remediation measures are accomplished in a manner that effectively prevents human exposures from occurring at levels of public health concern.
Should additional data become available indicating that people are being exposed to contaminants at levels of public health concern, the conclusions drawn above will be revised.
With a few exceptions, media sampling conducted to date provides ATSDR with sufficient information for examining public health issues. Additional sampling appears appropriate for the following:
RECOMMENDATIONS
Information identifying appropriate agencies to implement recommendations is contained in the Public Health Actions section.
Site/Area Characterization Recommendations
ODEQ reports that the industrial property southeast of the site is undergoing an environmental assessment because of past industrial practices. ATSDR recommends that the soil analytical data be reviewed for evidence of contaminants associated with the wood treatment facility. Additional soil sampling should be conducted on the other adjoining industrial properties.
Conduct real-time air monitoring on site while remedial activities that are likely to affect air quality are in progress. Particulates should be analyzed for semivolatiles and the following metals: arsenic, chromium, copper and zinc. The vapor phase should be analyzed for semivolatiles. A detection limit suitable for contaminants at a level which can cause health effects with chronic exposure should be used.
Conduct ambient air monitoring nearby where residents have continuing concerns about odors, which could be from multiple sources. If monitoring and analyses indicate that airborne contaminants are present at a level of public health concern, consider whether it is feasible to identify the source or sources and to implement measures to reduce releases. Particulates should be analyzed for semivolatiles and the following metals: arsenic, chromium, copper and zinc. The vapor phase should be analyzed for semivolatiles and common industrial volatiles. A detection limit suitable for contaminants at a level which can cause health effects with chronic exposure should be used.
Cease/Reduce Exposure Recommendation
Prevent the site from being developed or otherwise accessed by the public until remediation measures are accomplished in a manner that effectively prevents human exposures from occurring at levels of public health concern, as described in the summary.
Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) Recommendations
In accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, the data and information developed in the Public Health Assessment for the McCormick and Baxter site in Portland, Oregon, have been evaluated for appropriate followup with respect to health activities. Available information indicates that exposure of individuals to contaminants at levels of public health concern has occurred in the past and might still be occurring. Plant workers were exposed to chemicals at levels of public health concern in the past. People might encounter acutely hazardous levels of chemicals along the shoreline on or near the site. There is potential public health concern for persons who ingest shellfish from that site. Additionally, community members have expressed public health concerns about non-specific symptoms known to be experienced by people with no known exposure to hazardous waste, but that are also consistent with exposure to site-related contaminants. These self-reported symptoms have not been confirmed by ATSDR. ATSDR recommends that community and health professions education should be conducted at this site. The education would focus on the actions of exposure to chemicals involved in wood treatment. If a population can be identified that has been exposed to wood treatment process chemicals from the site, ATSDR will evaluate whether a health investigation is appropriate. Worker exposures will be referred to the appropriate occupational health authorities.
If more information indicating that human exposure to hazardous substances is occurring or has
occurred at levels of public health concern becomes available, ATSDR will reevaluate this site
for any additional indicated followup.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
The purpose of the Public Health Action Plan (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.
EPA or ODEQ will monitor the air on site while remedial activities that are likely to affect air quality are in progress.
Based on the Health Activities Recommendation Panel's determination that community and health professions education activities are indicated, ATSDR's Division of Health Education will determine appropriate site-specific health education activities for health professionals and community members through a needs assessment.
The question of whether an exposed population can be identified is being pursued as we proceed with this assessment and the release of this information.
Future environmental or health outcome data might determine the need for additional actions at
the McCormick and Baxter site.
PREPARERS OF REPORT
Stephanie Prausnitz
Environmental Health Scientist
Remedial Programs Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Don Gibeaut
Environmental Health Engineer
Remedial Programs Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
ATSDR Regional Representative: REFERENCES
Greg Thomas
Public Health Advisor
Region X
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