PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
SENECA ARMY DEPOT
ROMULUS, SENECA COUNTY, NEW YORK
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) evaluated available environmental data and exposure information associated with the Seneca Army Depot Activity site, in Seneca County, New York. Based on these data, ATSDR determined that the site poses no apparent public health hazard. Additional data are needed, however, to more fully assess potential public health hazards, if any, associated with radiologic contamination at the site.
The Seneca Army Depot Activity is located on approximately 10,600 acres near Romulus in New York's Seneca County. Since 1941, Seneca Army Depot Activity has been used primarily for the storage or maintenance of conventional strategic weapons, critical materials, and general supplies, including hazardous materials. As a result of normal operations and storage practices, chemicals have been released to the environment.
In response to concerns about chemical releases at the site, the Army has conducted various environmental investigations. Through these investigations, the Army has detected volatile organic compounds (VOCs), explosive compounds, fuels, and metals in soil and groundwater and, to a lesser extent, in on-site surface water and sediment. ATSDR reviewed the available environmental data and exposure information to determine whether contamination at the Seneca Army Depot Activity could be harmful to people who obtain access to, or live near, the depot.
Through this review, ATSDR determined that VOCs were present in groundwater beneath the Ash Landfill at levels above health guidelines. This VOC plume extends from the landfill to approximately 250 feet beyond the depot's western boundary, in the direction of several off-site farmhouse wells. The leading edge of this plume contains total VOCs, which include trichloroethylene, 1,2-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride, at a concentration of about 10 ppb. No past or current public health hazards are associated with this plume, however, because the contamination has not migrated to nor has it been detected in the downgradient private wells or other drinking water sources. Moreover, it is unlikely that VOC contamination will pose future public health concerns because Seneca Army Depot Activity plans to implement remedial measures to control the suspected source and limit migration of contaminated groundwater.
ATSDR also evaluated potential exposures that might occur through contact with surface soil, surface water, or sediment, and ingestion of local game (e.g., deer and fish). ATSDR concluded that any low-level chemical contamination present in soil, sediment, or surface water is unlikely to pose a public health hazard.
Because of limited available radiologic data, ATSDR was unable to fully assess potential public health hazards associated with radiologic contamination at the depot. The Army is currently investigating radiologic contamination at the depot. Following receipt of data from the investigation and an assessment of potential public health hazards, ATSDR will issue an addendum to this document.
Seneca Army Depot Activity is a military depot located in Seneca County, New York (see Figure 1). The depot lies in an upland area that forms a divide between two Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake to the east and Seneca Lake to the west (Figure 2). The town of Romulus is adjacent to the eastern border of the depot (Woodward-Clyde, 1997). Overall, the post occupies approximately 10,600 acres, divided into six geographic areas because of similar functional histories. These six geographic areas are further described in Table 1.
Seneca Army Depot Activity was originally established in July 1941 as the Seneca Ordnance Depot. In 1963, the Seneca Ordnance Depot was transferred to the U.S. Army Supply and Maintenance Command from the Chief of Ordnance and renamed the Seneca Army Depot. With the reduction in national military activity, the Army renamed the facility to Seneca Army Depot Activity in 1993 and discontinued soldier and National Guard training there in 1996.
The Seneca Army Depot Activity has served primarily as a maintenance and storage site for conventional weapons, strategic and critical materials, and general supplies, including hazardous materials. Typical maintenance operations included degreasing, spray painting, steam cleaning, alkaline washing, paint removal, welding, and soldering. Wastes such as used solvents from the steam cleaning facilities and from self-contained degreasing units were disposed of off site by a private contractor, while wastes (e.g., solvents, grease, metals dust, acids, propellants, and explosive dusts) generated by other operations were either burned in on-site areas such as the Open Burning Grounds or released as overflow into the storm drain system, into drainage ditches, or to the ground. Radiological wastes were stored at the depot in the 1940s, but this practice no longer occurs (Woodward-Clyde, 1997).
Almost half of the depot property (about 4,010 acres) has been used for storing ammunition, special weapons, pyrotechnics, and munitions-related items. These items were kept in one of the 455 storage igloos, 8 standard magazines, or 6 warehouses within the ammunition storage area, or within one of 64 special storage igloos in an exclusion area. The depot also housed large reserves of ores, including ferro manganese, ferro chrome, cromite ore, chromed ore, columbite ore, and pitch blended ore. Piles of chromed ore were stored either directly on the ground or on concrete pads at various locations on site, while columbite oreate (a mixture of oxides of iron, manganese, niobium, and tantalum) was stored in several on-site buildings. In the 1940s, the Army also stored pitch blended ore in 11 igloos within the ammunition storage area. Eventually, the Army removed the ore from the igloos and reused the structures for storing conventional weapons (Engineering Science, Inc., 1994).
As a result of past operations, storage, and disposal practices, hazardous materials have been
released to the environment. Principal site contaminants are volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
primarily trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,2-dichloroethylene (1,2-DCE), and vinyl chloride; explosive
compounds; fuels; and metals. Radiological constituents are also believed to have been released to
soil and to the underlying groundwater in areas where radioactive materials or wastes were
stored. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 
, the primary regulatory agency
overseeing environmental investigations of the depot, placed Seneca Army Depot Activity on the
National Priorities List on July 13, 1989 (Engineering Science, Inc., 1994). In 1993, EPA, the
Army, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) entered
into a Federal Facility Agreement (also known as the Interagency Agreement) to integrate the
Army's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act corrective actions with the requirements of
EPA's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(CERCLA), also known as Superfund. All required future investigations were based on CERCLA
guidelines.
Through its investigation, the Army identified 72 sites or solid waste management units (SWMUs) that had or were suspected to have environmental hazards (Engineering Science, Inc., 1994; Woodward-Clyde, 1997). Of the 72 SWMUs, 25 are considered to require no further action. The remaining SWMUs were assigned priority according to hazard ranking criteria defined by the Army Center for the Environment (USACE), EPA, and NYSDEC. On the basis of the hazards ranking, 28 SWMUs (grouped into 7 areas) were slated as high priority sites where a release of hazardous wastes had been reported or a release was likely to have occurred. (Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., 1995a; Woodward-Clyde, 1997).
The Seneca Army Depot Activity further grouped the SWMUs into 13 operable units (OUs) to facilitate characterization of the sources, nature, and extent of contamination at and around the depot and to enable proper design of clean-up measures. At each OU, the Seneca Army Depot Activity has conducted or is now conducting both a remedial investigation (RI) to characterize the contamination and a feasibility study to determine the best methods of remediation. Table 2 describes each of these sites in greater detail.
The Federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission has approved and anticipates closure of the Seneca Army Depot Activity by July 13, 2001.(1) The goal of the BRAC is to quickly transfer excess military property to the local community for economic reuse and development. So far, approximately 8,600 acres at the Seneca Army Depot Activities site are considered suitable for transfer or lease (Woodward-Clyde, 1997). In closing the site, the Army is required to notify the appropriate regulatory agencies of any changes in proposed use of the site and to perform any additional investigations and clean-up actions to ensure that these changes are harmless to the public.
As part of the public health assessment process, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted a site visit and met with representatives from the Army, Seneca Army Depot Activity, and Seneca County Department of Health March 16 through 18, 1998. At the time of the site visit, ATSDR did not identify any completed exposure pathways requiring immediate action. ATSDR also communicated and met with community members who raised concerns about the environmental conditions at Seneca Army Depot Activity. These concerns are presented in the "Community Health Concerns" section of this document.
Demographic and Land Use Information
The following discussion presents demographic and land use information for the area surrounding Seneca Army Depot Activity. This information helps ATSDR assess who might have been exposed to site-related contaminants and when and where such exposures might have occurred.
At the peak of its activity, Seneca Army Depot Activity was the third largest employer in Seneca County, employing more than 2,500 civilian and active duty personnel. As a result of closing the depot, the number of employees declined to approximately 85 people at the time of this PHA. . The Army has required Seneca Army Depot Activity to reduce their work force to 60 employees as of October 1999, and by October 2000 there may be as few as 4 employees remaining at the depot (EPA, 1999).
Many of the depot's military personnel and their families lived in one of three on-post housing areas: Elliot Acres (124 units); Lake Housing (78 housing units and 5 community facilities); and North Depot (3 barracks for soldiers). Today, only a few units are occupied at Elliot Acres and Lake Housing, and the North Depot housing area is closed.
Based on redevelopment plans, the majority of the depot will be reused as a conservation and recreation area. The southeastern corner of the depot will be used for industrial development, a prison, and warehouses; the Coast Guard will retain a small portion of this area. An area for institutional use has been identified in the northern portion of Seneca Army Depot Activity. Housing areas will remain at Elliot Acres and Lake Housing. The airfield will be used for special events, institutional uses, and training (RKG Associates, Inc., 1996).
A total of 33,680 people live in Seneca County. The area of Seneca County surrounding the depot is sparsely populated with farmland and small towns. The small towns nearest to the depot, such as Varick, Ovid, Romulus, and Covert, each have a population of about 2,000 people (Woodward-Clyde, 1997). Approximately 680 housing units for about 2,300 people, including roughly 280 young children (aged 6 or younger) and 525 adults aged 65 and older, are located within one mile of the Seneca Army Depot Activity (ATSDR, 1998).
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
In preparing this public health assessment, ATSDR relied discussions with Seneca Army Depot Activity and local and state agency representatives and on available environmental data. The majority of the environmental data presented in this PHA came from documents generated from monitoring programs and detailed studies conducted by private contractors under contract with Seneca Army Depot Activity. Documents prepared for the site must meet specific standards for adequate quality assurance and control measures for chain-of-custody procedures, laboratory procedures, and data reporting. The validity of the analyses and conclusions drawn in this document are dependent upon the availability and reliability of the referenced information.
Limited radiologic data were available from preliminary studies conducted at the depot. Additional information is needed before ATSDR can fully evaluate the potential public health associated with radiologic contamination at the depot. Specific data needs are: (1) clearly defined background locations and measurements; (2) errors associated with the measured values; (3) and specific isotopic analysis to identify radium and uranium radionuclides. ATSDR has requested this information from the Army, along with additional boundary or off-site surface water samples; clarification of the methods used for soil and sediment radiologic analysis; and a reevaluation of the soil and sediment samples. The Army is currently collecting this information through its RI for SEAD-12. Upon completion of the RI and receipt of the data, ATSDR will issue an addendum to this PHA.
EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL EXPOSURE PATHWAYS
In this section, ATSDR evaluates potential pathways of exposure in more detail to determine whether contamination from Seneca Army Depot Activity poses public health hazards to people having access to, or living near, the site. Figure 3 describes the exposure evaluation process. As the figure indicates, ATSDR considers how people might come into contact with, or be exposed to, contaminated media. Specifically, ATSDR determines whether an exposure could occur through ingestion, dermal (skin) contact with contaminated media, or inhalation of vapors, and also considers the likely length (duration) and frequency of the exposure.
If exposure was or is possible, ATSDR then considers whether chemicals were or are present at levels that might be harmful to people. ATSDR does this by screening the concentrations of contaminants in an environmental medium against health-based comparison values. Comparison values are concentrations of chemicals that can reasonably and conservatively be regarded as harmless. The comparison values generally include ample safety factors to ensure protection of sensitive populations, such as children or the elderly. Because comparison values do not represent thresholds of toxicity, exposure to contaminant concentrations above comparison values do not necessarily produce health effects. Data tables in this document list contaminants in each medium that are present in the environment at levels greater than, or equal to, the comparison values. If a chemical is found in the environment at the site at levels exceeding its corresponding comparison value, ATSDR examines potential exposure variables and the toxicology of the contaminant. ATSDR emphasizes that, regardless of the level of contamination, a public health hazard exists only if people come in contact with, or are otherwise exposed to, the contaminated media.
After an initial review of potential health hazards at the Seneca Army Depot Activity, ATSDR identified the groundwater, surface soil, surface water and sediment, and the food chain exposure pathways as requiring further evaluation. Following the strategy outlined previously ATSDR examined whether human exposure to harmful levels of contaminants via these pathways existed in the past, existed at the time the PHA was prepared (present), or could potentially exist in the future. ATSDR summarizes its evaluation of potential exposure pathways in Table 3 and describes it in more detail in the discussion that follows. To acquaint readers with terminology used in this report, a list of comparison values and a glossary are included in Appendices A and B, respectively.
After reviewing the available groundwater data, ATSDR has drawn the following conclusions:
Discussion
Groundwater Use
Groundwater quality is considered to be minimally acceptable for potable use in many portions of Seneca County because of objectionable hardness caused by high levels of naturally occurring minerals (Engineering Science, Inc., 1994). For this reason, few people in Seneca County obtain their drinking water from groundwater sources. In fact, Seneca Army Depot Activity and most surrounding communities obtain drinking water from surface water sources.
Groundwater in the area around the depot flows in either an overburden (glacial till/weathered shale) aquifer, a shale bedrock aquifer, or a deep aquifer (limestone). Groundwater, when used for drinking water, is most likely drawn from the shale bedrock aquifer. Because Seneca Army Depot Activity is located on the western slope of a groundwater divide, groundwater flow from the site is generally westward and toward Seneca Lake, although the direction might vary locally depending on seasonal variation, pumping rates, or the quantity of infiltration of surface runoff.
A description of the few local groundwater-supplied drinking water sources on Seneca Army Depot Activity and in the surrounding communities follows:
The Nature and Extent of Groundwater Contamination
Over the course of several RI and other environmental site investigations, the Army installed several hundred monitoring wells on and adjacent to the depot (Seneca Army Depot Activity, 1999). Many of these wells were been installed within and downgradient to source areas where contaminants were suspected to have entered the groundwater. The wells are also screened at different depths to provide information about the contaminant distribution in the different aquifers. The Army also sampled water from three private wells located along the western boundary of the site. The samples were analyzed for VOCs and metals, and a few samples were analyzed for radiologic constituents.
Chemical Contamination
Of the chemical contaminants detected, VOCs pose the greatest threat to the underlying groundwater. Some of the highest VOC concentrations were measured in a two-acre area just northwest of the Ash Landfill (see Table 4). The landfill was used from 1974 until 1979 by the Army for disposal of ash generated from the incineration of solid waste (trash) produced at the depot. VOCs, primarily TCE (up to 51,000 parts per billion [ppb]), 1,2-DCE (up to 130,000 ppb), and vinyl chloride (up to 23,000 ppb), were detected in groundwater in this area at concentrations above ATSDR comparison values, New York state drinking water quality standards, and EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) (Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., 1993). Metals, including aluminum, cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel, were also present at concentrations above ATSDR comparison values.
This VOC plume extends westward from the landfill to about 250 feet beyond the depot boundary and about 1,000 feet upgradient from the three farmhouse wells (see Figure 4). The leading edge of this plume is located immediately upgradient of monitoring well MW-56 and contains total VOCs, which include TCE, 1,2-DCE, and vinyl chloride, at a concentration of about 10 ppb. The plume is believed to be restricted to the till/weathered overburden aquifer where one of the farmhouse wells draws water; contamination has not entered the deeper bedrock or limestone aquifers where the other two farmhouse wells draw water (Parson Engineering Science, Inc., 1996a). Routine quarterly monitoring conducted to date indicates that the VOC plume has not affected the downgradient private wells, including the one farmhouse well, or any other off-site area.
The on-site supply wells are also unlikely to have been affected in the past by the VOC contamination because the wells are situated more than 7,000 feet cross-gradient to the plume and its source. In addition, on-site wells are unlikely to have been affected by other nearby potential sources of contamination. Well # 3 is approximately 1,300 feet downgradient from the Acid Storage Area (SEAD-65), but to date, there has been no evidence of a release at the site nor of contamination entering well #3, and the site requires no further action under CERCLA. Wells # 4, # 5, and # 6 are located near the airfield where fuels have been used. Sampling conducted by the Army shows that the groundwater beneath the airfield and well water have not been contaminated by chemicals used in this area (Seneca Army Depot Activity, 1999).
Between August 1994 and June 1995, the Army excavated contaminated soil suspected as the source of the VOC plume. The Army then successfully treated the excavated soil to achieve VOC clean-up criteria and then backfilled the clean soil into the original excavation areas. In the December 1996 feasibility study for the Ash Landfill, the Army proposed additional measures to control suspected sources and prevent movement of existing contamination from the landfill to off-site areas. The Army combined the Ash Landfill and several other SWMUs into the Ash Landfill OU to facilitate additional groundwater remediation activities (Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., 1996a).
Radiologic Contamination
A preliminary historical sampling of groundwater beneath the Radioactive Waste Burial Sites (SEAD-12) and the Miscellaneous Components Burial Site (SEAD-63) found levels of radiologic constituents at levels above MCLs. Location A of the Radioactive Waste Burial Sites reportedly stored radioactive wastes and nonradioactive laboratory wastes in five underground pits; no radioactive wastes were stored or disposed of at Location B. The Army excavated material from the pits in 1986 and confirmed, by follow-up surface-level radiation readings, that all radioactive contamination had been removed. The Miscellaneous Components Burial Site was used during the 1950s and 1960s to store inert material (classified). Groundwater beneath either of these areas is not used as a drinking water source, nor is the aquifer connected to other aquifers used for drinking water (Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., 1995b).
The results of the preliminary sampling are presented in Table 5 and discussed as follows:
It should be noted that the preliminary groundwater investigation did not quantify background concentrations of radionuclides in groundwater. Without these data, ATSDR cannot clearly determine whether radionuclides are attributed to artificial sources or naturally occurring. The Army is currently collecting more radiologic information through its RI at SEAD-12.
Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards
No past, current, or future public health hazards are or were associated with consuming drinking water drawn from groundwater sources, although additional data are needed to more fully assess potential exposures to radiologic contamination under future land uses. The following data support ATSDR's conclusion.
After reviewing available soil data, ATSDR concluded that:
Discussion
Depot Use
Only a few people are likely to have had access to the depot on a regular basis because security measures (i.e., guarded entrances and perimeter fences) prevent public entry. Individuals allowed on site include authorized personnel and seasonal, permitted hunters. It should be noted that hunters are escorted and required to remain in their designated hunting location, typically an extensively vegetated, low-priority (low environmental hazard) area, for the duration of their hunt. Therefore, they are not likely to roam freely on the property or into highly contaminated areas.
The Nature and Extent of Soil Contamination
Activities associated with past depot operations have released chemicals to on-site soil. Through the RI and other site investigations, the Army collected soil samples from many of the source areas or SWMUs where VOCs and metals are suspected to have been released to the soil. The samples were analyzed for VOCs, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), explosive compounds, and pesticides. Selected samples were also analyzed for radiologic constituents. Soil sampling has detected elevated levels of contaminants in several areas of the depot. A description of the soil sampling activities conducted at the site is presented below.
Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards
No past, current, or future public health hazards are associated with contaminants in soil at Seneca Army Depot Activity, but ATSDR needs additional data to fully assess the future potential public health hazards caused by exposures to radiologic contamination in soil. ATSDR bases its conclusion on the following observations:
Surface Water and Sediment Exposure Pathway
After reviewing available surface water and sediment data, ATSDR has drawn the following conclusions:
Discussion
Surface Water Use
Seneca Army Depot Activity is located on an upland area that forms the divide between two Finger Lakes, Cayuga Lake to its east and Seneca Lake to its west. The Seneca Army Depot Activity and surrounding communities, including the villages of Ovid, Waterloo, Watkins Glen, the city of Geneva, and the towns of Varick and Ramulus, use the lakes as a primary source of drinking water. In the past, surface water was drawn in from the lakes, tested, chlorinated (and fluoridated) at pump station 2411 at the depot before it was delivered to consumers. Currently water is purchased from the Village of Waterloo, which uses Seneca Lake as their water supply. Waterloo furnishes water to the village, and several townships as well as Seneca Army Depot Activity. Surface water from Cayuga Lake supplies drinking water for Seneca Falls, one of the largest communities in Seneca County. It should be noted that community water suppliers in New York State are required by law to monitor their water supply for a variety of chemical constituents. They are also required to monitor for radium-226, radium-228, and gross alpha particle activity at least every four years (NYSDOH, 1999a).
Eight creeks drain surface water from the depot into either of the two lakes. Principle creeks include: Kendaia Creek, which flows into Seneca Lake near the Lake Housing Area; Reeder Creek, a perennial creek generally less than 1 foot in depth, which flows into Seneca Lake from the north-central portions of the depot; and Kendig Creek, which drains the northeastern portion of the depot, including the Duck Ponds, into Cayuga Lake (Woodward-Clyde, 1997; Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., 1997c).The portions of the creeks located on the depot are not used in any way for recreational activity, but their off-site reaches might have been used for fishing.
The Nature and Extent of Surface Water and Sediment Contamination
The Army collected limited surface water and sediment samples in on-site reaches of Kendaia Creek and off-site reaches of Reeder Creek to determine whether contamination from any of the major source areas was entering surface water bodies. Reeder Creek flows through the Open Burning Grounds and Kendaia Creek flows about 4,500 feet north of the Ash Landfill area, before eventually discharging into Seneca Lake, about 1 to 2 miles downstream of the fence line of the depot property. It is suspected that contaminants enter surface water as the creeks pass through or near the waste areas. Kendaia Creek is of particular concern because it flows directly over bedrock, where surface water could intermingle with contaminated groundwater from the landfill. Samples were analyzed for VOCs, PAHs, metals, and pesticides. The results are presented in Tables 7 and 8.
The Army also collected a limited number of samples (four) to determine whether radiologic constituents had entered surface water. Samples were collected from the Miscellaneous Components Burial Site (SEAD-63), specifically from the boundary of the area, locations adjacent to the patrol road, and locations north of the service road, and analyzed for gross alpha and gross beta radiation.
A discussion of the results of surface water and sediment sampling follows:
Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards
Based on available data, no past, current, or future public health hazards are associated with contaminants in surface water or sediment at Seneca Army Depot Activity. ATSDR needs additional surface water and sediment data to fully assess the potential future public health hazards caused by exposures to radiologic contamination in these media. ATSDR based its conclusion on the following:
After review of the food chain pathway, ATSDR drew the following conclusion:
Discussion
Recreational deer hunting is permitted only in designated areas of the depot during the fall season. The depot supports a herd of more than 500 white-tailed deer that graze throughout the property. About half of the site's deer population has a distinctive white coat caused by a rare genetic trait.
Indirect exposure to contaminants could result in persons consuming deer that accumulated site-related contaminants. ATSDR does not know whether deer at Seneca Army Depot Activity have accumulated site-related contaminants, however. To date, no study has been conducted to monitor accumulation of contaminants, if any, by the depot's grazing deer population. In the absence of site-specific data, ATSDR reviewed the findings of studies that investigated whether deer grazing at other Army sites had accumulated chemical contaminants similar to those found at Seneca Army Depot Activity. The results of those studies indicated that little, if any, uptake of chemicals occurred in grazing deer (USACHPPM, 1994; USAEHA, 1994).
Assuming similar conditions exist at Seneca Army Depot Activity, harmful levels of site-related contaminants are not likely to accumulate in grazing deer. Therefore, ATSDR feels that people who eat a moderate amount of venison from deer from the depot are not likely to experience any harmful health effects
Fishing occurs in off-site reaches of creeks that travel through the depot. No data are available to indicate whether recreational sport fish in these creeks have accumulated contaminants. The Army surveyed fish in Kendaia Creek, but the predominant fish species, the minnow, is not considered a sport fish. While these fish might only occasionally migrate to off-site reaches, it is unlikely that they are fished or even contribute to the diet of the larger sport fish. These findings suggest that fish in off-site reaches might not accumulate site-related contaminants, but supporting data are needed to allow a full evaluation.
During the public health assessment process, ATSDR talked with community members and local officials. Through these discussions, community representatives expressed the following concerns about environmental conditions and potential health hazards at the Seneca Army Depot Activity.
ATSDR reviewed cancer incidence and mortality rates in Seneca County, New York, reported in the Cancer Incidence and Mortality by County, 1976-1995, Cancer Incidence and Mortality by County, 1992-1996, and the Seneca County Department of Health's Community Health Assessment (NYSDOH, 1998; 1999b; Seneca County Health Department, 1998). Data indicates that breast cancer incidence in Seneca County increased over the period from 1976 through 1990. Similarly, an increase in breast cancer incidence was observed for the state of New York (excluding New York City). Most recently (from 1992 through 1996), the breast cancer rate in Seneca County (94.5 per 100,000 women) has exhibited a downward trend, which is now below both national and Upstate New York (105.6 per 100,000 women).
A number of reasons may account for the variation in rates:
-- Seneca County has a relatively small population. The breast cancer rates per 100,000 are estimates based on the numbers of actual breast cancers diagnosed in Seneca County. When we estimate the rate, small difference year to year in the number of cases diagnosed in Seneca County may appear as a much larger differences in a population 100,000.
-- Higher rates can occur by chance. Over a short period of time or over a small geographic area, cases of cancer might cluster together by chance. If we extend the time or consider a larger area, more meaningful patterns of cancer incidence are likely to emerge.
-- Increased Breast Cancer Screening. Better and more available screening for cancer leads to earlier detections of breast cancer than in the past, causing a short-term rise in breast cancer incidence.
The documents available for review by ATSDR did not allow an analysis of whether activities at the Seneca Army Depot Activity could be associated with, or might contribute to, breast cancer incidence in Seneca County. When assessing the threats to the public's health, however, ATSDR examines the potential exposure pathways related to a site. In the event ATSDR finds a completed exposure pathway posing a public health threat, ATSDR reviews health outcome data (e.g., cancer rates) in combination with environmental and exposure data to see whether an association exists. As stated, ATSDR did not find a completed exposure pathway posing a public health hazard. Therefore, based on the data available for review, ATSDR does not believe that contaminants from the Seneca Army Depot Activity are responsible for health problems such as breast cancer.
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) monitors cancer incidence in New York. Community members with questions about cancer rates in the area surrounding the Seneca Army Depot Activity site can call the NYSDOH's Cancer Surveillance Program in the Bureau of Chronic Disease Epidemiology and Surveillance at (518) 474-2354.
Seneca Army Depot Activity has used and stored radioactive materials on site, and radiologic wastes were also stored at the depot in the 1940s. Because of insufficient existing data (as outlined in the "Evaluation of Potential Exposure Pathways" section), ATSDR was unable to fully assess potential health hazards, if any, associated with radioactive materials in environmental media at Seneca Army Depot Activity. The Army is completing an RI report that characterizes the extent of radiologic contamination associated with SEAD-12. ATSDR has requested this report and other additional data to further assess the extent of radiologic contamination in soil at the depot. Upon review of that information, ATSDR will issue an addendum to this public health assessment.
In the 1940s, the Army used 11 igloos in the ammunition area for storage of pitch blended ore. Eventually the ore was removed, and the igloos were used to store conventional weapons. As a consequence of storage, however, radon permeated the air of the warehouse buildings. a 1977 U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency survey indicated that buildings contained radon (as radon-222) concentrations ranging from 0.92 to 3.12 pCi/L, while just outside the buildings a much lower concentration (0.23 pCi/L) was measured. All measured concentrations are safely below the maximum permissible concentration of radon in an unrestricted area (4.0 pCi/L) (Woodward-Clyde, 1997). Using available toxicologic information, ATSDR found no clear evidence that long-term exposure to radon at levels found at the depot is likely to result in harmful health effects. Most of the general population would not have been exposed because access to the site is restricted. Therefore, ATSDR concludes that the levels of radon gas detected in and around storage buildings are below levels associated with public health hazards.
UXO exists in several areas of the Seneca Army Depot Activity. Because future land use will involve activities that might allow contact with UXO, the Army will clear areas, such as the Open Burning Grounds, to ensure that future users of the site will not contact potentially harmful ordnance or associated compounds. The Army will conduct an initial magnetic sweep, flag suspect areas, and then remove the UXO. As an added measure, the Army will excavate surrounding soil and, if necessary, sift it to remove UXO and metal debris before disposing of the soil (Parsons Engineering Science, Inc., 1997c).
ATSDR recognizes that infants and children might be more sensitive than adults to environmental exposures in communities faced with contaminated water, soil, air, or food because (1) children are more likely to be exposed to certain media, like soil, when they play outdoors; (2) children are shorter and, therefore, might be more likely to breathe dust, soil, and vapors close to the ground; and (3) children are smaller than adults and, therefore, might receive a higher dose of toxic exposure relative to their body weight. Children also can sustain permanent damage if exposed to toxic substances during critical growth stages. ATSDR is committed to evaluating children's special interests at sites such as the Seneca Army Depot Activity as part of its Child Health Initiative.
ATSDR evaluated the likelihood that children living near the Seneca Army Depot Activity might have been or might be exposed to contaminants at levels of health concern. ATSDR identified no situations in which children are likely to be or to have been exposed to harmful levels of chemical contaminants originating from Seneca Army Depot Activity. ATSDR based its conclusion on the following factors:
ATSDR concludes that no apparent public health hazards are associated with the Seneca Army Depot Activity, but additional data are needed to more fully assess potential public health hazards, if any, associated with radiologic contamination at the site. ATSDR based it conclusions on the following factors:
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for Seneca Army Depot Activity contains a description of actions taken by ATSDR, the Army, EPA, and state and local health departments at and in the vicinity of the site. 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 exposures to hazardous substances in the environment. The public health actions that are completed, being implemented, or planned are as follows:
Completed Actions
Ongoing or Planned Actions
Emilio Gonzalez
Environmental Engineer
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
Absolom. 1999. Personal Communication with Steve Absolom, Seneca Army Depot Activity. September 7, 1999.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 1998. (ATSDR). Demographic statistics for Seneca Army Depot Activity area based on 1990 U.S. census data. 1998.
Engineering Science, Inc. 1994. Solid waste management unit (SWMU) classification report, Seneca Army Depot Activity, Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. June 1994.
New York Department of Health (NYSDOH). Cancer Incidence and Mortality in New York State. Volume 3. Trends in cancer incidence and mortality by county. 1976-1995. New York Department of Health, New York Cancer Registry. September 1998.
NYSDOH. 1999a. Letter from Daniel Geraghty, Public Health Specialist II, Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation, New York Department of Health to Arthur Block, Senior Regional Representative, ATSDR. June 10, 1999.
NYSDOH. 1999b Cancer Incidence and Mortality in New York State. Volume 1. Cancer incidence and mortality by county. 1992-1996. New York Department of Health, New York Cancer Registry. January 1999.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1993. Remedial investigation report at the Ash Landfill site. Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. October 1993.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1995a. Submittal of final expanded site investigations (ESIs) at the seven high priority AOCs. Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. December 11, 1995.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1995b. Submittal of final expanded site investigations (ESIs) at the eight moderately low priority AOCs. Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. April 11, 1995.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1996a. Feasibility study report at the Ash Landfill site, Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. December 1996.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1996b. Remedial investigation report at the Fire Training and Demonstration pad (SEAD-25) and the Fire Training Pit and Area (SEAD-26), Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. June. 1996.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1996c. Submittal of draft final expanded site investigations (ESI)s at the seven low priority ACOs. Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. May 2, 1996.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1997a. Feasibility study at the Fire Training and Demonstration pad (SEAD-25) and the Fire Training Pit and Area (SEAD-26), Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. January 1997.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1997b. Remedial investigation report at the Abandoned Deactivation Furnace (SEAD-16) and the Active Deactivation Furnace (SEAD-17). Seneca Army Depot, Romulus, New York. January 1997.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1997c. Draft record of decision (ROD) former Open Burning (OB) Grounds Site Seneca Army Depot Activity (SEDA), Romulus, New York. November 1997.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1998a. Seneca Army Depot Activity, Inserts for the Workplan for SEAD-12, Final. October 12, 1998.
Parsons Engineering Science, Inc. 1998b. Seneca Army Depot Activity, Ash Landfill Groundwater Treatment Study. November 1998.
RKG Associates, Inc. 1996. Reuse Plan and Implementation Strategy for the Seneca Army Depot. Prepared for the Seneca Army Depot Local Redevelopment Authority. December 1996.
Seneca Army Depot Activity. 1998. Personal communication with Stephen Absolom, Seneca Army Depot Activity. RE: Location of on-site supply wells. 1998.
Seneca Army Depot Activity. 1999. Personal communication with Stephen Absolom, Seneca Army Depot Activity. RE: Operation of on-site supply wells. January 26, 1999.
Seneca County Department of Health. 1998. Seneca County Community Health Assessment. Seneca County Department of Health. October 1998.
U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (CHPPM). 1994. Draft field study no. 75-23-YS50-94, health risk assessment of consuming deer from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. October 1994.
U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency (USAEHA). 1994. Draft final risk assessment from consumption of deer muscle and liver from Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. January 14.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1999. Memorandum from Carla M. Struble, Project Manager, Federal Facilities Section, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to Arthur Block, Senior Regional representative, Region II. May 27, 1999.
Woodward-Clyde. 1997. U.S. Army Base Realignment and Closure 95 Program. Environmental Baseline Survey Report. Seneca Army Depot Activity, New York. March 12, 1997.
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