SOUTH MACOMB DISPOSAL AUTHORITY #9, 9A
ST. CLAIR SHORES, OAKLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN
| Macomb Township, Michigan | |
| Total persons |
22,714 |
| Total area, square miles |
36.28 |
| Persons per square mile |
626 |
| % Male % Female |
49.8 50.2 |
| % White |
98.3 |
| % Black |
0.5 |
| % American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut |
0.3 |
| % Asian or Pacific Islander |
0.8 |
| % Other races |
0.2 |
| % Hispanic origin |
1.1 |
| % Under age 10 |
18.9 |
| % Age 65 and older |
6.5 |
| Macomb Township, Michigan | |
| Households* |
7,355 |
| Persons per household |
3.09 |
| % Households owner-occupied |
95.8 |
| % Households renter-occupied |
4.2 |
| % Households mobile homes |
21.1 |
| % Persons in group quarters |
0.0 |
| Median value, owner-occupied households, $ |
110,100 |
| Median rent paid, renter-occupied households, $ |
430 |
* A household is an occupied housing unit, but does not include group quarters such as military
barracks, prisons, and college dormitories.
Benzene
Benzene is especially harmful to tissues that form blood cells. Benzene and its metabolites, chemicals formed from benzene by biological processes, localize in bone marrow, deplete its red blood cell supply, and produce various toxic effects on blood. Thus, long term exposure to benzene may affect normal blood production resulting in incomplete development of the bone marrow, internal bleeding, or aplastic anemia (11). Aplastic anemia is the reduced production of all blood components. Development of aplastic anemia has been observed following chronic exposure to benzene in occupational situations (high levels of benzene).
Human and animal studies indicate that benzene is detrimental to the immune system, thus increasing the chance for infections and perhaps decreasing the body's defense against tumors. Most human studies involve occupational exposures with inhalation as the primary route of exposure. Several studies show altered immune system components. These altered components, along with benzene's ability to affect blood cell production, help explain why individuals exposed to benzene may succumb to infection.
Exposure to benzene has been linked with genetic and developmental changes in both humans and animals. Benzene and its metabolites may cause numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes. A study of 52 workers exposed to benzene found chromosomal breaks and translocations in peripheral blood lymphocytes at 2-3 times the rate found in controls (11). In addition, an increased frequency of chromosomal breaks was found in lymphocytes taken from 14 children of women occupationally exposed to benzene (11). This supports the evidence that benzene crosses the placenta, therefore risking exposure of the fetus to benzene. Animal studies indicate that benzene can cause low birth weight, delayed bone formation, and bone marrow damage in unborn animals (11).
Methylene Chloride
Methylene chloride has produced benign mammary tumors and malignant liver and lung tumors in various animal species following chronic exposure (13). These carcinogenic responses were observed to occur after both inhalation and ingestion. Epidemiological and occupational studies on humans have failed to prove that methylene chloride is a human carcinogen. However, based on animal experiments, the EPA classifies methylene chloride a probable human carcinogen.
Arsenic
Evaluation of arsenic toxicity is complicated because arsenic can exist in several different forms. An additional complexity is that laboratory animals are not good models for arsenic toxicity in humans; animals appear to be less susceptible to arsenic's toxic effects (15).
In humans, chronic oral doses below 1 µg/kg/day are not likely to cause adverse noncancer health effects (15). In the general population, the main route of arsenic exposure is by ingestion of arsenic-contaminated food and water. The average dietary intake of arsenic by adults in the United States has been estimated to be 50 µg/day (range 8-104 µg/day) (15). Soluble forms of arsenic are well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract (60-90%). Absorption by inhalation has not been determined, but is also believed to be within that range. Dermal absorption is generally negligible; however, effects from dermal absorption have been reported in occupational settings.
The effects of oral exposure to arsenic most likely to be of human health concern are gastrointestinal irritation, peripheral neuropathy, vascular lesions, anemia, skin diseases, and skin cancer. Most noncancer effects are observed at chronic exposures ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 mg/kg/day, and at intermediate exposures ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 mg/kg/day (15). Estimates of the minimum lethal oral dose in humans range from 1 to 3 mg/kg/day (15). Increased risk of cancer is the effect of greatest public health concern related to arsenic exposure by inhalation. Other effects, such as respiratory irritation, nausea, and skin problems, may also occur, but are unlikely below a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/m3 (15).
Chronic gastrointestinal effects are seen predominately after arsenic ingestion. Increased permeability of the small blood vessels, leading to fluid loss and hypotension, is the primary gastrointestinal effect. Other effects include inflammation and necrosis of the mucosa and submucosa of the stomach and intestine (15). Damage to the mucosa may lead to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Ammonia
The health effects resulting from short- or long-term human exposure to water containing specific concentrations of ammonia via ingestion are not known. Exposure to concentrated ammonia, such as ammonia used for household cleaning, may cause coughing or eye irritation. It is unknown if ammonia causes cancer or birth defects.
1,2-Dichloroethane
Ingestion of 1,2-DCA can result in adverse gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal, CNS, and respiratory effects in humans (19). Those effects have been observed primarily after intentional exposure to large, unknown doses. Gastrointestinal effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Little information exists on the development of cancer after humans are exposed to 1,2-DCA. However, because animals have developed cancer in some studies, 1,2-DCA cannot be ruled out as a human carcinogen. Therefore, EPA has classified 1,2-DCA a probable human carcinogen.
Lead
Detailed toxicity data on lead is in the "Toxicological Evaluation" section.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
MEK has a low toxicity following both acute and chronic exposures (21). The information available on adverse health effects is primarily from occupational studies.
Cadmium
Cadmium toxicity may produce proximal renal tubular and tiny blood vessel damage (CS). Cadmium may also cause a disturbance in calcium and phosphate metabolism which could lead to kidney stone formation and demineralization of bones.
Adverse skeletal effects such as bone pain, softening of the bones, and osteoporosis that can result from cadmium exposure are likely due to calcium excretion. These effects were greatly studied in postmenopausal women living in a cadmium-contaminated area in Japan. The effects on bones are considered to be a consequence of cadmium-induced renal disease (23).
Impairment of lung function is associated with chronic inhalation exposure to low cadmium
levels (23). Bronchiolitis and alveolitis may occur and impaired respiratory function and
emphysema have been observed in workers exposed to cadmium.
The comments listed here were received by ATSDR in response to the public comment period (July 5 - August 4, 1994) for the South Macomb Disposal Authority #9, 9A Public Health Assessment. The list of comments does not include editorial comments concerning word spellings, sentence syntax, etc. It also does not include comments on accuracy of stated facts. If the accuracy of a statement was questioned, the statement was verified or corrected. Comments which requested that additional information be added to the document without providing documented sources of that information are not addressed here. Also, political and legal issues are not addressed.
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