PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
FAIRFIELD COAL GASIFICATION PLANT
FAIRFIELD, JEFFERSON COUNTY, IOWA
CONCLUSIONS
IDPH and ATSDR conclude that in the past, based on data reviewed, this site posed a public health hazard. Completed exposure pathways for contaminants in air and drinking water have occurred. Currently, however, the site poses no apparent public health hazard. Site remedial activities have been implemented. Contaminated on-site soils have been excavated and disposed off-site, and a groundwater pump and treat system is in operation. The contaminated private well has been plugged and is no longer used.
Some residences connected to the municipal water supply system may still be using private wells within the shallow aquifer immediately down-gradient of the site. To date, those wells are not contaminated, but they could become contaminated if the groundwater pump and treat system fails and contaminants migrate to those wells. The community water supply system is available to all residences not connected to it.
At least one private well, described as cross-gradient of the site, and one municipal well, described as up-gradient of the site, has contained low levels of contaminants in the past. Although these wells are not believed to be affected by the site, no other source of possible contamination was identified in documents reviewed.
During previous excavation activities at the site, the community complained of odors and health effects that may have been related to contaminants released in air. The community requested to have their health monitored and to be informed about health and environmental issues related to site remedial activities. The containment structure over the soil excavation areas has minimized further emission of site contaminants.
Exposure to airborne contaminants released during excavation of source areas at the site in 1993 cannot be evaluated because monitoring done at the fenceline did not include all contaminants that could have affected the people in the immediate area.
Soil remediation was completed in May 1995.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The purpose of this section is to provide recommendations needed to protect the public health during remedial activities at the site. Currently, conditions exist that could result in exposure to site-related contaminants. The recommendations listed, if implemented, will prevent exposure.
Should new data become available, IDPH and ATSDR will assess and determine the need for further follow-up activity. Affected community members and other agencies will be informed as necessary.
The data and other information applicable to the Fairfield Coal Gasification site Public Health
Assessment were evaluated by the ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) for
follow-up health actions. Although exposures to site-related contaminants have occurred in the past,
we cannot thoroughly evaluate the public health implications of those exposures with available
information and data. Because of community health concerns expressed at previous public availability
meetings, a Physicians/Nurses Education Workshop and community education activities were
recommended. If additional data become available, ATSDR and IDPH will re-evaluate this site for
any other indicated follow-up health actions.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN
This section contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR, IDPH, or other governmental agencies at this site. The purpose of the public health action plan is to ensure that this Public 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 exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.
A. Actions Undertaken
EPA has posted warning signs at the site and provided an after-hour security system. EPA has also agreed to keep the community informed about future remedial activities at the site.
IDPH conducted a Physicians/Nurses Education Workshop on September 8, 1994, at the Jefferson County Hospital. Site Fact Sheets were issued to the public. IDPH and ATSDR also furnished information to area health care providers about possible health effects resulting from exposure to site contaminants. Both written and verbal responses were provided to area residents with site-related concerns.
B. Actions Planned
ATSDR and IDPH will be available to address new community concerns that may arise after remediation activities are completed.
New data will be reviewed to determine if other public health actions are needed. This includes the
review of monthly status reports and any other data concerning site activities.
PREPARERS OF THE REPORT
IDPH Public Health Assessment Team
Russell Currier, D.V.M., M.P.H.
Environmental Epidemiologist
Division of Health Protection
Mike Guely, Bureau Chief
Bureau of Environmental Health
Division of Health Protection
Brad V. Cudal, M.D.
Environmental Specialist
Division of Health Protection
Richard L. Welke, B.A.
Environmental Specialist
Division of Health Protection
Elena Babak, Ph.D.
Environmental Specialist
Division of Health Protection
ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
David Parker
Regional Representative
Office of Regional Operations
Region VII
ATSDR Technical Project Officer
Gail D. Godfrey
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
CERTIFICATION
The Fairfield Coal Gasification site has been prepared by the Iowa Department of Public Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It has been prepared in accordance with approved methodologies and procedures existing at the time this Public Health Assessment was initiated.
Gail D. Godfrey
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this public health assessment and concurs with its findings.
Richard Gillig
for Director, DHAC, ATSDR
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