There are significant physical hazards on the property including demolition
debris, uneven ground and sharp objects.
Long-term exposure to surface soils contaminated with heavy metals, PAHs,
and PCBs could pose a health hazard.
There may be a continuing point discharge of contamination from soils to
the Milwaukee River through the out-fall identified in the DNR investigation.
Based on the subsurface contamination identified on the property, there is
a low potential for discharges from this out-fall to pose a direct contact
hazard.
Groundwater contamination does not threaten existing water supply wells
and currently does not pose a public
health hazard.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Physical hazards should be removed or covered.
Direct contact access to surface soils should be restricted by removal or
capping. If contaminated soils are capped, the cap must be maintained, and
future uses of the property restricted so that exposure to contaminated soils
does not occur.
Discharges from the existing out-fall from the property to the Milwaukee
River should be prevented. This includes the potential for contaminant migration
along the outside of the pipe.
Adjacent shoreline of the Milwaukee River should be inspected to determine
if there are areas of fine grained sediment buildup. If significant deposits
are identified, a couple of samples should be taken for PAHs, PCBs, and metals.
Groundwater beneath the site should not be used for a potable water supply.
This Former West Bend Plating Company Public Health Consultation was prepared
by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services 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 consultation was begun.
