HEALTH CONSULTATION
HINES DUMP
KELLOGG, WABASHA COUNTY, MINNESOTA
I. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND AND HISTORY
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received a request from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to evaluate potential public health concerns regarding the Hines Dump that is located near the city of Kellogg, Wabasha County, Minnesota (the site). The site was identified by the MPCA through its Dump Assessment Program as an "action site", indicating that the site warranted further evaluation due to its potential to adversely impact public health or the environment. This health consultation is based on a site visit conducted by MDH staff on May 15, 2000, private water supply well sampling conducted by MDH staff on June 21, 2000, a review of previous MDH documents, and information provided to MDH by the MPCA and its consultant, STS Consultants, LTD (STS 2000a, STS 2000b).
The site is located immediately west of U.S. Highway 61 just outside the city of Kellogg, on private land adjacent to a rest stop along the highway. The site consists of two separate dumps. One of these is along an access road leading to agricultural fields in the lowlands along both the Zumbro River and a small slough that drains into the Zumbro River. The second dump (which appears to be of more recent origin) is located in the floodplain of the river. Both dump sites are reached via the access roads for the agricultural fields, which also serve as snowmobile trails in the winter. The site location is shown in Figure 1, and a site map is presented in Figure 2. The two dump areas together occupy less than 1 acre. The site is partially wooded, and the main dump is located on a steep slope. The site is not visible from the highway, but access is not restricted.
The dump apparently began accepting wastes in the 1960s, and the site appears to still be accepting some wastes on an informal basis. Wastes have not been covered. The area surrounding the site is primarily agricultural, with residential properties interspersed on large lots. Homes near the site have shallow private wells. Municipal water is not available in this area, which lies outside the city limits of Kellogg. The nearest home is located approximately 300 feet northeast of the site. A municipal water supply well for the city of Kellogg is located approximately 1,000 feet southeast of the site. The well is reportedly 300 feet deep.
As a public dump, the site likely accepted all types of wastes, including household garbage, wood wastes, auto parts, tires, and appliances; no cover soils appear to have been applied. Waste materials are currently exposed at the surface of the dump. Based on a Phase II site investigation, the volume of waste at the site is estimated to be approximately 2,200 cubic yards.
Geology/Hydrogeology
Based on geologic information provided by STS, soils at the site are composed primarily of sandy stream terrace deposits underlain by alluvial deposits ranging from sand to clay (STS 2000a). The uppermost bedrock is expected to be undifferentiated Cambrian rocks, including the Eau Claire, Galesville, Ironton, and Mt. Simon formations at depths of between 100 and 150 feet below ground. Soil borings conducted by STS showed a layer of waste overlying fine sand (STS 2000b). The location of the borings is illustrated in Figure 2 and cross-sections of the dump prepared by STS are presented in Figures 3 and 4.
The surficial groundwater is expected to flow northeast towards the Zumbro River. At the site, groundwater was encountered between 5 to 47 feet below grade. Only temporary monitoring wells were installed to collect water samples, so flow direction beneath the site could not be determined.
Site Visit
On May 15, 2000 Jim Kelly and Virginia Yingling of MDH visited the Hines Dump. Waste was observed along a steep bluff adjacent to an access road, and also below in the flood plain of the Zumbro River. The access road is used by the farmer/land owner, who lives closest to the site. Recent dumping and burning of wastes (mainly wood wastes) was evident. Exposed waste included demolition debris, scrap metal, appliances, drums, a pile of dead chickens, brush and yard waste, and household waste. One drum was labeled as having contained calcium dehypochlorite. Also observed was a pile of gray, fibrous tiles that could potentially contain asbestos.
Site Investigation
Nine soil borings were advanced by STS at the site in June 2000, with four completed as temporary monitoring wells (STS 2000b). The boring locations are shown in Figure 2. The borings encountered up to 12.5 feet of waste materials in some areas. Solid wastes encountered in the borings included glass, metal, concrete, and wood. Soil vapor measurements were collected during drilling using a photo ionization detector (PID) equipped with a 10.6 eV lamp calibrated to a benzene standard, and an explosive gas meter. No organic vapors were detected at levels above 3 PID units. Methane gas was not detected by the explosive gas meter in any of the three soil borings where methane gas was sampled.
Surface soil was analyzed from three locations for metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), diesel range organics (DRO), pesticides, and herbicides. Three metals (arsenic, copper, and lead) exceeded their MPCA Soil Reference Values (SRVs) in one sample, collected in the smaller dump area. The SRVs represent the concentration of a contaminant in residential soil at or below which normal dermal contact, inhalation, and/or ingestion is unlikely to result in an adverse human health effect. No other compounds exceeded their SRV. Three metals (cadmium, chromium and lead) exceeded their MPCA Soil Leaching Values (SLVs) in the same sample. The SLVs represent the concentration of a contaminant in soil above which leaching could contaminate the groundwater to levels above established standards. In addition to metals, DRO was also detected in one sample at a concentration of 35 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). There are currently no soil screening criteria for DRO. Several other compounds were detected at very low levels, including one PCB and one pesticide. The analytical results and MPCA soil screening criteria are presented in Table 1.
Samples of buried waste materials were collected at depths ranging from 2.5 to 8.5 feet below grade from three borings. The samples were analyzed for metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, PAHs, DRO, pesticides, and herbicides. High levels of metals, including arsenic and lead, were found in two of the samples. PCBs were detected in one sample at a level in excess of its SRV. Low levels of one PAH, DRO, and several pesticides were also found. No VOCs or herbicides were found. The waste sample analytical results are presented in Table 2.
Soil samples from beneath the waste were collected in three borings to determine if contaminants had leached from the waste materials into native soils. The soil samples were also analyzed for metals, VOCs, PCBs, PAHs, DRO, pesticides, and herbicides. Low levels of chromium and one pesticide were detected in the soil samples. Although the chromium level exceeded its SLV in two samples, it should be noted that no attempt was made to determine the species of the chromium. The SLV is based on the more toxic chromium VI species, while the analysis was for total chromium, which includes both chromium VI and the more commonly found chromium III.
Groundwater samples were collected by STS from four temporary monitoring wells installed in soil borings B-1, B-2, B-3, and B-4. These samples were analyzed for VOCs, metals, PCBs, PAHs, DRO, pesticides, and herbicides. One VOC, tetrahydrofuran, was detected in a field blank. Barium was detected in all of the groundwater samples at levels well below the MDH Health Risk Limits (HRLs) for groundwater. The HRLs represent levels of contamination in private drinking water supplies that MDH considers safe for daily human consumption over a lifetime, and have been promulgated into rule. No other VOCs, PAHs, PCBs, pesticides, or herbicides were detected.
Groundwater samples were also collected by STS from two permanent groundwater monitoring wells (unique well numbers 604996 and 604997) installed previously by MDH staff in the area of the Kellogg municipal well. The wells are approximately 65 feet deep, and were installed to study the effect on shallow groundwater levels of pumping the municipal well. The samples were analyzed for VOCs, metals, and nitrate. The samples were filtered to remove particulate matter. Lead was detected in both of the wells at concentrations of 47.1 and 24.9 micrograms per liter (µg/L) respectively. A duplicate sample of the second well had a lead concentration of 27.7 µg/L. These levels are in excess of the federal action level for public water supplies of 15 µg/L. There is currently no HRL for lead. No VOCs were detected, and levels of nitrate were below the HRL. The location of the two monitoring wells in relation to the site is shown in Figure 1, and the sampling data is presented in Table 3.
MDH staff collected water samples from four private wells near the site; the well locations are shown on Figure 1. The samples were analyzed for the presence of 68 volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), eight metals, nitrate, and four potential indicator parameters. One VOC, tetrachloroethylene, was detected at levels below its HRL in the well closest to the site (well #1), which was reported to be approximately 110 feet deep. Low levels of metals (including barium, lead, manganese, and zinc) were detected in several of the wells. None exceeded their respective HRLs. Levels of nitrate were just below and above the HRL in two wells. Indicator parameters were generally within normal background ranges. Owners of the private wells were notified of the results. The private well sampling results are also presented in Table 3.
Dumps can pose a potential human health risk when people come into contact with chemicals in soil, water, or air at levels of health concern, or when people are exposed to physical hazards such as sharp objects or uneven ground. This requires that both the chemicals (or hazards) are present and that people are in contact with them.
Waste materials in old dumps are often buried beneath a thin layer of whatever type of soil was easily available at the time. This is the not case at the Hines dump, where no cover materials have been applied. When cover materials are thin or absent, wastes and contaminants are exposed, and people or animals could come into contact with them. Over time, compaction and degradation of the waste result in settling and the emergence of large, sharp objects such as scrap steel that can pose a physical hazard.
Organic waste materials in the dump (if not burned regularly) often degrade and generate methane and other gases. Low levels of chemical solvents can also be present in gas produced by old dumps. Together, these gases are referred to as "landfill gases." These gases are frequently explosive and can migrate up to a few hundred feet from the dump site, depending on local conditions. This gas migration can result in explosive levels of methane and concentrations of solvents above health concerns in nearby homes or buildings. Although levels of methane, or explosive gas were below detection limits, other organic vapors were detected in soil at the site at very low levels. The degradation of solid waste also produces leachate when infiltrating water contacts the waste and dissolves chemicals from it. Leachate can discharge to surface water or infiltrate into groundwater. Groundwater contaminated by leachate usually does not have any distinguishing appearance, color, or taste, and people are rarely aware of any problem unless the water is tested. Soil with contaminant concentrations below the SLVs is not expected to generate leachate at levels that would be above groundwater or surface water criteria.
The Hines dump is a typical rural dump because it is located near a town, accepted all types of wastes, and had few if any controls. Numerous waste materials are exposed at the dump surface, and it appears that the dump could still be in use. Based upon one surface soil sample (out of three surface soils samples taken), there appears to be some direct chemical risk associated with this site due to several metals detected at concentrations exceeding their Soil Reference Values. Nevertheless, the number of surface soil samples collected was limited, and other areas of contaminated soil could exist. Exposed chemical wastes could also be carried from the site by runoff and into adjacent farm fields or the Zumbro River. Samples from within the waste materials had high levels of metals and PCBs, indicating significant contamination is present within the bulk of the dump site. Although direct human exposure to buried waste materials is unlikely at this time, disturbance of the waste materials by humans or animals could bring them to the surface where exposures could occur. Physical hazards are numerous, both from exposed wastes and steep grades, and could even pose a hazard to snowmobiles in the winter time. The presence of animal carcasses could also pose a disease threat.
The analytical results are inconclusive as to whether groundwater contamination is associated with the dump. There were no detections of common dump related contaminants, such as VOCs or lead, in groundwater samples collected at the site. However, one VOC, tetrachloroethylene, was found in the private well closest to the dump site. Lead was also detected in this well, and in the two permanent monitoring wells located to the east of the site. Lead was found in the waste materials at the site, and it is possible that this could be serving as the source of the lead found in groundwater in these wells. The number of groundwater samples collected at the site was limited, and no samples were collected between the dump and the impacted wells. Pumping of the municipal wells could also influence the movement of contaminants in groundwater. The detection of tetrachloroethylene, a potential human carcinogen, in groundwater from the private well is of concern.
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Child Health Initiative
ATSDR's Child Health Initiative recognizes that the unique vulnerabilities of infants and children make them of special concern to communities faced with contamination of their water, soil, air, or food. Children are at greater risk than adults from certain kinds of exposures to hazardous substances at waste disposal sites. They are more likely to be exposed because they play outdoors and they often bring food into contaminated areas. They are shorter than adults, which means they breathe dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Children also weigh less, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per body weight. The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if toxic exposures occur during critical growth stages. Most importantly, children depend completely on adults for risk identification and management decisions, housing decisions, and access to medical care.
Children may be attracted to exposed debris at the site due to the presence of bottles, shiny metal objects, exposed dirt, etc. The location of the dump adjacent to a highway rest area could attract children. Access to the site is open, and the relatively isolated and wooded location would preclude observation. However, there is no direct evidence to suggest that children are frequenting the site.
Based on a review of available information in MPCA and MDH files, a site visit conducted on May 15, 2000, and analysis of private water supply samples, it appears that this site poses an indeterminate public health hazard. The hazards include physical hazards from exposed wastes and steep grades, chemical hazards from potential contact with contaminated surface soils or wastes, and potential biological hazards from decaying animal carcasses. The potential for contaminants detected at the site to impact private and potentially public water supply wells in the area is unclear based on data collected so far. One private well has been shown to be impacted by lead and by tetrachloroethylene, but at levels below MDH HRLs.
MDH's Public Health Action Plan for the site will consist of:
STS 2000a. Draft Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, STS Consultants, LTD. February 17, 2000.
STS 2000b. Draft Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, STS Consultants, LTD. September 29, 2000.
James Kelly
Health Assessor
Site Assessment and Consultation Unit
Minnesota Department of Health
tel: (651) 215-0913
Ginny Yingling
Hydrologist
Site Assessment and Consultation Unit
Minnesota Department of Health
tel: (651) 215-0917
Alan Yarbrough
Technical Project Officer
Division of Health and Consultation
State Program Section
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
This Hines Dump Health Consultation was prepared by the Minnesota 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 health consultation was begun.
Alan W. Yarbrough
Technical Project Officer, SPS, SSAB, DHAC, ATSDR
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health consultation and concurs with the findings.
Lisa C. Hayes
for Richard Gillig
Chief, State Program Section, DHAC, ATSDR
Table 1. Surface Soil Analytical Results
Concentrations in mg/kg
| SS-01 (0-1 ft.) |
SS-02 (0-1 ft.) |
SS-03 (0-1 ft.) |
SLV | SRV | |
| Diesel Range Organics - DRO | <9.8 | 35 | <8 | NE | NE |
| Metals EPA 6010 | |||||
| Arsenic | 2.85 | 13 | 2.13 | 15.1 | 10 |
| Barium | 106 | 639 | 26.2 | 842 | 1,200 |
| Cadmium | 0.794* | 4.41* | <0.101* | 4.4 | 35 |
| Chromium | 10.6 | 57.9 | 9.12 | 18 | 71 |
| Copper | 11 | 196 | 8.17 | 400 | 100 |
| Lead | 135 | 569 | 4.51 | 525 | 400 |
| Nickel | 10.3 | 27.9 | 10.2 | 88 | 520 |
| Selenium | 0.302 | <1.25 | <0.507 | 1.5 | 170 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls - PCBs EPA 8082 | |||||
| Aroclor 1248 | nd | 0.076 | nd | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons - PAHs EPA 8270 |
No detects for all compounds analyzed
|
||||
| Pesticides EPA 8081 | |||||
| 4,4 - DDT | 0.12 | nd | nd | NE | 15 |
| Herbicides (MDA List 1) |
No detects for all compounds analyzed
|
varies | varies | ||
* = denotes value for total chromium (chromium (III) + chromium
(VI))
nd = not detected
SLV = MPCA Soil Leaching Value
SRV = MPCA Soil Reference Value, Tier 1 (Residential)
NE = Not Established
Bold = Concentration above detection limits
| = Concentration exceeds SRV | |
| = Concenration exceeds SLV |
Source: STS 2000b
Table 2. Waste Analytical Results
Concentrations in mg/kg
| B-1 S-04 (8.5-10.5 ft.) |
B-3 S-02 (2.5-4.5 ft.) |
B-4 S-02 (2.5-4.5 ft.) |
SLV | SRV | |
| Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs EPA 8260 Methanol |
No detects for all compounds analyzed
|
varies | varies | ||
| Diesel Range Organics - DRO | <20 | <48 | 36 | NE | NE |
| Metals EPA 6010 | |||||
| Arsenic | 5.03 | 2.71 | 76 | 15.1 | 10 |
| Barium | 110 | 1,260 | 174 | 842 | 1,200 |
| Cadmium | 0.637 | 4.24 | 1.5 | 4.4 | 35 |
| Chromium | 17.5* | 21.1* | 49.1* | 18 | 71 |
| Copper | 23.7 | 17.1 | 157 | 400 | 100 |
| Lead | 57.3 | 2,350 | 79.3 | 525 | 400 |
| Mercury (EPA 7471) | <0.0225 | 0.0226 | 0.544 | 1.6 | 0.7 |
| Nickel | 15.9 | 7.33 | 14.8 | 88 | 520 |
| Selenium | <0.296 | <0.284 | 0.445 | 1.5 | 170 |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls - PCBs EPA 8082 | |||||
| Aroclor 1248 | <0.04 | <0.037 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons - PAHs EPA 8270 | |||||
| Chyrsene | 0.16 | <0.37 | <1.9 | NE | NE |
| Pesticides EPA 8081 | |||||
|
gamma-BHC
|
<0.02 | <0.02 | 0.0028 | NE | 9 |
|
Dieldrin
|
<0.04 | <0.04 | 0.0075 | NE | 0.8 |
|
4,4'-DDE
|
<0.04 | <0.04 | 0.0089 | NE | 40 |
|
4,4'-DDT
|
0.11 | 0.11 | 0.016 | NE | 15 |
|
Endrin ketone
|
<0.04 | <0.04 | 0.0095 | NE | NE |
| Herbicides (MDA List 1) |
No detects for all compounds analyzed
|
varies | varies | ||
* = denotes value for total chromium (chromium (III) + chromium
(VI))
- = compound not analyzed.
J = Compound detected but below the reporting limit, the result is an estimated
concentration.
SLV = MPCA Soil Leaching Value
SRV = MPCA Soil Reference Value, Tier 1 (Residential)
NE = Not Established
Bold = Concentration above detection limits
| = Concentration exceeds SRV | |
| = Concenration exceeds SLV |
Source: STS 2000b
Table 3. Well Sampling Analytical Results
Concentrations in ug/l
|
#1
|
#2
|
#3
|
#4
|
604996
|
604997
|
Duplicate (of 604997)
|
Standard
|
Source
|
|
| Volatile Organic Compounds - VOCs |
varies
|
varies
|
|||||||
| Tertrachloroethylene |
2.8
|
<0.2
|
<0.2
|
<0.2
|
<1
|
<1
|
<1
|
7
|
HRL
|
| Metals | |||||||||
| Barium |
33
|
71
|
87
|
23
|
211
|
54.3
|
58.3
|
2,000
|
HRL
|
| Lead |
1.7
|
<1.0
|
<1.0
|
<1.0
|
47.1
|
24.6
|
27.7
|
15
|
MCL*
|
| Manganese |
<10
|
<10
|
28
|
<10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
100
|
HRL
|
| Zinc |
120
|
31
|
100
|
<20
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,000
|
HRL
|
| Wet Chemistry | |||||||||
| Nitrogen, Nitrate & Nitrite |
14,000
|
9,500
|
<50
|
2,500
|
6,450
|
1,770
|
1,760
|
10,000
|
HRL
|
| Ammonia Nitrogen |
<20
|
<20
|
<20
|
<20
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
| Total Chloride |
23,000
|
11,000
|
<1,000
|
2,600
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
250,000
|
MCL
|
| Total Sulfate |
24,000
|
20,000
|
16,000
|
14,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
250,000
|
MCL
|
- = compound not analyzed.
< = Less than laboratory limit of detection
HRL = Health Risk Limit for Groundwater, Minnesota Deprtment of Health
MCL = EPA Maximum Contaminant Limit
NE = Not Established
Bold = Concentration above detection limits
| = Concentration exceeds HRL/HBV/MCL |
* = action level for drinking water at the tap.
Source: STS 2000b
