PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT ADDENDUM
SOMERSWORTH MUNICIPAL LANDFILL
SOMERSWORTH, STRAFFORD COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Based upon the most recent information reviewed for the Somersworth Sanitary Landfill Site NH
DPHS and ATSDR believe that this site poses an indeterminate public health hazard. The
limited available data do not indicate that humans are being or have been exposed to levels of
contamination that would be expected to cause adverse health effects. However, data or
information are not available for all environmental media to which humans may be exposed.
There is a data gap for whether an explosive hazard from methane gas exists. Risks associated
with this pathway cannot be assessed without additional data.
It is recommended that residential wells in the vicinity of the landfill continue to be monitored
for VOCs on a regular basis in order to document water quality. Finally it is recommended that
soil gas sampling be conducted to assess the potential explosive hazard risks to buildings
surrounding the landfill.
HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION PANEL (HARP)
RECOMMENDATION
The data and information in the public health assessment for the Somersworth Sanitary Landfill,
Somersworth, NH have been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel
for appropriate follow-up with respect to health. The panel determined that no follow-up health
actions are indicated at this time. If data or information become available suggesting that human
exposure to hazardous substances, at levels of public health concern, is currently occurring or has
occurred in the past, ATSDR will reevaluate this site for any indicated follow-up.
The Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) for Somersworth Sanitary Landfill Site contains a description of actions to be taken by NH DPHS and NH DES at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the completion of this public health assessment. For those actions already taken at the site, please see the Background Section of this Public Health Assessment Addendum. 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 from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment associated with this site. Included is a commitment on the part of NH DPHS to ensure that the follow-up actions outlined in this plan are implemented. The public health actions to be implemented by NH DPHS and NH DES are as follows:
NH DES will continue to sample residential wells in the vicinity of the landfill on a periodic basis to document water quality. NH DES will forward residential well sampling data to NH DPHS for review when contamination is detected. NH DPHS will evaluate water quality data to determine whether exposure to contaminated water poses a health risk.
ATSDR will provide an annual follow-up to this PHAP, indicating the status of the action presented in this plan. This report will be placed in repositories that contain copies of this health assessment, and will be provided to persons who request it.
NH DPHS will reevaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan 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.
The Public Health Assessment for the Somersworth Municipal Landfill site was prepared by the
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human 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 assessment was
initiated.
Gregory 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.
Division Director, DHAC, ATSDR
John L. Guty
Environmental Health Specialist
NH Division of Public Health Services
Dennis A. Pinski
Environmentalist III
NH Division of Public Health Services
Ellen G. Cavalier, MPH
Supervisor, Risk Assessment Program
NH Division of Public Health Services
Rosalyn D. Lee
Environmental Engineer
Division of Health Assessment
and Consultation
REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE:
Louise A. House
Regional Representative
Regional Services
TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER:
Gregory V. Ulirsch
Environmental Health Engineer
Division of Health Assessment
and Consultation
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