ATSDR - PHA - SOLVENT SAVERS, LINCKLAEN, CHENANGO COUNTY, NEW YORK

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ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

SOLVENT SAVERS
LINCKLAEN, CHENANGO COUNTY, NEW YORK

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the information reviewed, the Solvent Savers site posed a public health hazard in the past. Between 1978 and 1988, on-site residents were exposed to elevated levels of PCBs and VOCs in on-site soils via dermal contact and inhalation and incidental ingestion of contaminated soil particulates. In addition, workers at the former recycling facility which operated between 1967 and 1974 were also exposed to contaminants in on-site soils. Residents who lived at the site were also exposed to low levels of VOCs in drinking water; however, these past exposures are not likely to result in adverse health affects. Currently, the site poses a no apparent public health hazard as exposure to contaminants in drinking water and on-site soils is not occurring as the on-site house has been abandoned and the site is fenced. Furthermore, no residential wells are currently within the boundaries of the contaminant plume. However, if remedial measures are not taken to address groundwater contamination at and near the site, contaminants in groundwater could migrate towards downgradient residential wells and exposure to VOCs in drinking water could occur at levels that are of public health concern.
A ROD was signed in 1990 and includes provisions for the excavation and on-site treatment of VOC-contaminated soils, excavation and on-site treatment of contaminated groundwater, backfilling of excavated areas with treated soils and clean fill, reinjection or discharge to surface water of treated groundwater, and off-site disposal of residual wastes at a permitted facility. Additionally, treatability studies will be performed to evaluate appropriate treatment and/or off-site disposal methods for PCB-contaminated soils and soils contaminated with low levels of VOCs. The ROD also provided for the excavation, removal and off-site disposal of 300 buried drums from the site, and this remedial measure has been completed.
During site remediation activities involving excavation of surface and subsurface soils, there will be an increased potential for exposure to site contaminants via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption for on-site workers and nearby residents. These exposures may be minimized by the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and work practices, including erosion and dust control measures, as well as applicable regulatory standards and guidance.
Although the site is generating a significant groundwater contaminant plume, ingestion of site-related contaminated groundwater is not occurring. Groundwater from the site discharges to Mud Creek. However, the proposed remediation measures identified in the record of decision for the site, once implemented, should effectively control migration of the groundwater contaminant plume.
Although site-related contamination is being released to Mud Creek, dilution and volatilization substantially reduce the concentrations present in the surface water. There is no evidence to indicate that site contaminants will affect drinking water supplies along the Otselic River, of which Mud Creek is a tributary stream. Additionally, the proposed remediation measures identified in the record of decision should effectively eliminate the potential for site contaminants to enter Mud Creek, once implemented.
It is possible that exposure to VOCs from soil gas may have occurred in the past. However, on-site residence no longer exists and there is no indoor air data to evaluate past exposures.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The sources of contamination on-site should be remediated to prevent further contamination of groundwater.
Appropriate measures to control migration of the groundwater contaminant plume should be evaluated and actions taken to prevent migration of contaminated groundwater.
During remediation activities, appropriate work practices, including dust control measures, should be followed and appropriate monitoring should be performed at the site boundary to minimize exposures of airborne contaminants to nearby residents.
Appropriate protective clothing should be worn by workers performing remedial tasks at the site and appropriate work practices should be followed to minimize worker exposure to site contaminants.
Private wells near the site should be monitored until the site is remediated to ensure that the public is not exposed to contaminants through use of their drinking water.
No remedial actions to control exposure to soil gas are necessary at this time.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATIONS PANEL (HARP) RECOMMENDATION

The data and information evaluated in the public health assessment for the Solvent Savers site in Lincklaen, New York have been reviewed by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendations Panel (HARP) for appropriate follow-up with respect to health actions. Because of past exposure to contaminated drinking water, the panel recommends this site for follow-up health actions. Specifically, the panel determined that those persons exposed in the past should be added to NYS DOH's registry being developed for VOC exposures from contaminated drinking water. In addition, the panel determined that community health education is needed for the persons who were exposed to contaminants in their drinking water.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for the Solvent Savers site contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or the NYS DOH at and near the site following completion of this public health assessment. For those actions already taken at the site, please see the Background section of this Public Health Assessment. The purpose of the PHAP is to ensure that this health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from past, present and/or future exposures to hazardous substances at or near the site. Included, is a commitment on the part of ATSDR and or the NYS DOH to follow up on this plan to ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by ATSDR and/or the NYS DOH are as follows:

ATSDR and NYS DOH will coordinate with the appropriate environmental agencies to develop plans to implement the recommendations contained in this Public Health Assessment.
ATSDR will provide an annual follow up to this PHAP, outlining the actions completed and those in progress. This report will be placed in repositories that contain copies of this Public Health Assessment, and will be provided to persons who request it.
NYS DOH is developing a registry of persons exposed to VOCs in drinking water. Residents who were exposed in the past to VOCs through use of contaminated drinking water will be considered for inclusion to this registry.
The proposed elements of the ROD that will eliminate the potential for human exposure to site contaminants, once implemented, include excavation and on-site treatment of VOC-contaminated soils, extraction and on-site treatment of groundwater, and off-site disposal of residual wastes. Additionally, excavated areas will be backfilled with treated soils and clean fill, treated groundwater will be reinjected to the subsurface and treatability studies will be performed to evaluate appropriate treatment and/or disposal methods for PCB-contaminated soils and soils contaminated with low levels of VOCs.

ATSDR will reevaluate and expand the PHAP when needed. New environmental, toxicological, or health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions may determine the need for additional actions at this site.

CERTIFICATION

The Public Health Assessment for the Solvent Savers site was prepared by the New York State Department of 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 public health assessment was initiated.

Gregory V. Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC), ATSDR, has reviewed this Public Health Assessment and concurs with its findings.

Robert C. Williams
Division Director, DHAC, ATSDR

PREPARERS OF THE REPORT

Henriette M. Hamel, Robert Montione, Claudine Jones Rafferty
Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation
New York State Department of Health

and

Joel Kaplan
Research Scientist I
Bureau of Toxic Substance Assessment
New York State Department of Health

ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Arthur Block
Regional Operations

ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER

Greg Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer
Division of Health Assessment
and Consultation, Remedial Programs Branch

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