PETITIONED HEALTH CONSULTATION
OGDEN MARTIN INCINERATOR COMPANY
BRISTOL, HARTFORD COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF ISSUES
The purpose of this health consultation is to review 1996 and 1997 stack emission data on dioxins and metals gathered at the Ogden Martin Incinerator (OMI) in Bristol, Connecticut. A previous review of OMI stack emissions data was done on September 12, 1996 by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). This review evaluated OMI stack data on dioxins and metals from 1990 - 1995. Dispersion modeling was used to determine if exposure via the air pathway posed an inhalation health risk to nearby residents [1]. The same evaluation approach is taken to review the current data as in the September 12, 1996 review.
The Bristol OMI is a waste to energy facility that has been active since 1988 and serves 14 communities. Municipal, residential, and commercial solid waste is used for fuel. The burning capacity is 650 tons/day (325 tons/day for each furnace). Air pollution control measures include fabric filter baghouses and dry flue gas scrubbers. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CT DEP) has regulatory control over the facility and issued the final operating permit in May, 1989. Stack emissions of dioxins and metals are monitored annually by CTDEP. Dioxins were sampled following EPA Method 23, "Determination of Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans from Stationary Sources". Metals samples were collected using EPA method 29, "Determination of Metals Emissions from Stationary Sources" [2,3].
ATSDR was petitioned in July 1991 by a private citizen to evaluate the potential health risks associated with the stack emissions. Visits to the petitioner and the site were made in 1992 and 1996 by ATSDR staff. The petitioner's concerns about OMI included the use of hazardous wastes for fuel, control of air emissions, and the use and disposal of chemicals on the site. Past and present potential exposure pathways were identified for airborne metals and dioxin. An evaluation on September 12, 1996 by ATSDR determined that emissions from the OMI stack did not appear to pose a public health threat [1].
Bristol, Connecticut is situated in the central part of the Connecticut in Hartford county, about 30 miles west of the city of Hartford [see Map in Appendix]. OMI is a principal business in the area along with manufacturing (spring, clock, watch, and auto-parts) and the cable television sports station ESPN. The total population of Bristol is 60,671 persons: 96% white, 2% black, 2% Hispanic origin. An estimated 2,800 persons live within 1 mile of the site; 310 persons are aged 6 years or less. The closest school is approximately 1.25 miles north of the site.
Next Section Table of Contents
