PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
REVERE TEXTILE PRINTS CORPORATION
STERLING, WINDHAM COUNTY, CONNECTICUT
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND OTHER HAZARDS
Investigation of the Revere Site by EPA, took place in three Phases. Phase I was completed in January of 1991. After review of the data collected during Phase I, it was determined that further investigation was needed to fully characterize the site. Phase IIA was completed in June of 1991 and Phase IIB field work was completed in November of 1991. Phase III was completed in July 1992.
Soils, groundwater, surface water, sediments and air were sampled during the site investigation. Physical features of the site and potential sources of contamination were also investigated during Phase I.
The following discussion and data tables present the contaminants of concern at the site. Contaminants of concerns are selected based upon the following factors:
Contaminants are presented by medium in which they were found. The contamination is also broken into on-site and off-site. On-site refers to sampling points within the site boundaries and off-site refers to sampling points not within site boundaries. (See Figure A for a Site Map.)
The listed contaminant does not mean that it will cause adverse health effects from exposures. The list indicates which contaminants will be discussed further in the public health assessment.
Ground Water-Monitoring Wells
Ground water sampling was done during Phase I, Phase IIB and Phase III of the Remedial Investigation. During all phases, fourteen overburden monitoring wells, three bedrock monitoring wells, two existing overburden monitoring wells and an on-site bedrock production well were sampled. An old public water supply well and the town supply wells were sampled also. (See Figure B for map of sampling locations.)
Two of the wells sampled had detectable levels of volatile organic compounds during the Phase I investigation. The concentrations detected were well below comparison values for safe drinking water and these same compounds were not detected during the Phase IIB sampling. Phenol, phenanthrene, chrysene, pyrene and N-Nitrosodiphenylamine were detected during the Phase IIB sampling. The concentrations were very low and these contaminants were found in only four wells.
Metals were detected in groundwater samples throughout the site. Table 1 represents the metals detected at levels above comparison values during Phase I and Phase II sampling. High concentrations of these metals during Phase I and II suggested that water samples contained high levels of particulate matter. A third Phase of sampling was conducted during the summer of 1992 using a peristaltic pumping. This method reduces the amount of sampling generated particles in the groundwater and gives a more representative groundwater sample. Concentrations of metals detected during the Phase III sampling were below comparison values.
Table 1.
Metal Concentrations in On-Site Groundwater Monitoring Wells
Source: TRC Company, Inc., Phase I and Phase II Sampling
| CONTAMINANT | CONCENTRATION RANGE PPB |
COMPARISON VALUE PPB Source |
| Antimony | 17.2-71.4 | 14 RfD |
| Arsenic | 2.1-102 | 11 RfD |
| Copper | 5.5-3470 | 1300 MCL |
| Lead | 3.0-370 | 0 MCLG |
| Vanadium | 2.7-187 | 20 LTHA |
Prior to the RI investigation, five monitoring wells were installed on-site as part of a 1984 hydrogeological study. Toluene was detected in one well at 14 ppb. Organic contaminants and metals were not detected at levels greater than safe drinking water levels. In 1985 and 1987 additional groundwater sampling was conducted by NUS Corporation and DHS Water Supplies, respectively. The town drinking water supply was sampled during both investigations. No volatile organic compounds or metals were detected above safe drinking water levels.
Soil
Soil sampling was done during Phases I, IIA and IIB. Grab samples at 0-6 inches were taken during Phase IIA sampling. Samples at 0-2 feet were taken during all three soil investigations. Soil samples were also taken during monitoring well drilling and at test pits at variable depths. (See Figure C for sampling locations.)
A few volatile organic compounds were detected in subsurface soil samples. Methylene chloride, acetone, xylene and toluene were detected most frequently but at very low concentrations. Table 2 presents a summary of other contaminants detected in soils above comparison values.
Table 2
Contaminant Concentrations in On-Site Soil
Source: TRC Company, Inc., Phase I and Phase IIA, and IIB Sampling
| CONTAMINANT | CONCENTRATION RANGE 0-6" PPM |
CONCENTRATION RANGE >6" PPM |
COMPARISON VALUE PPM |
| Benzo(a)anthracene | ND-3.8 | ND-32 | NA |
| Chrysene | ND-4.2 | ND-38 | NA |
| Benzo(b)fluoranthene | ND-8.4 | ND-44 | NA |
| Benzo(k)fluoranthene | ND-13 | ND-16 | NA |
| Benzo(a)pyrene | ND-4.4 | ND-32 | 0.12 (CREG) |
| Indeno(1,2,3,cd)pyrene | ND-3.5 | ND-4 | NA |
| Dibenz(a,h)anthracene | ND-1.7 | ND-.4 | NA |
| Benzo(g,h,i)perylene | ND-3.7 | ND-2 | NA |
| Copper | 18(a) | ND-1040 | 13.2(b) |
| Lead | 6.4(a) | ND-345 | 1.1(b) |
Prior to the RI investigation, a few soil samples had been taken. In 1983 a sample of stained soil (unknown depth) was taken by CT DEP. Butanol was detected in this sample at 20 ppm.
Surface Water and Sediments
Surface water was sampled during Phase I and Phase IIB. Sediments were sampled during Phases I, IIB and III. The on-site pond, man-made spillway and the seep near the pigmented waste pile were sampled as part of the on-site surface water and sediment sampling. (See Figure D for sampling locations.)
No volatile organic compounds were detected in any of the on-site surface water samples. Low concentrations of methylene chloride (100 ppb), acetone (660 ppb), toluene (10 ppb) and 2-butanone (140 ppb) were detected in on-site sediments.
Some metals were detected in surface water and sediment samples above background. Aluminum, iron and manganese were detected in surface waters above background but not at concentrations likely to cause adverse health effects. Table 3 presents the concentrations of metals found above comparison values in sediments.
During Phase III, biological assay tests were conducted. These tests evaluate whether adverse effects to organisms are associated with the contaminants found in sediments. These tests showed that no significant biological accumulation is occurring as a result of contaminants present in some site sediments.
Table 3
Metal Concentrations in On-Site Sediments
Source: TRC Company, Inc., Phase I and Phase IIB, and III Sampling
| CONTAMINANT | CONCENTRATION RANGE PPM |
COMPARISON VALUE BACKGROUND PPM |
| Copper | 7.9-1170 | 7.8 |
| Iron | 2880-24700 | 6100 |
Prior to the RI investigation, EPA conducted surface water and sediment sampling of selected areas. Ethylbenzene (.19 ppm), xylenes (.72 ppm), and some metals; lead (960 ppm), chromium (129 ppm), copper (528 ppm), nickel (290 ppm), and zinc (373 ppm) were found in sediment samples. Aniline (765 ppm) and phenol (>1300 ppm) were detected in the pigment waste pile near the Moosup River.
Air
Air sampling was conducted during all of the invasive activity during the site investigation. Volatile organic vapors in the ambient air as well as breathing zones, boreholes, testpits and fenceline were taken. No comparison values for air were exceeded.
Groundwater
The old town production well, to the north of the site, and the new town wells, west of the site, were sampled during Phase I and IIB investigations.
Volatile organic compounds were not detected during either of the investigations. In addition, metal concentrations were not found to be elevated in any of the wells.
Surface Water and Sediments
The Moosup River and Sterling Pond were sampled during the off-site investigation of surface waters and sediments. (See Figures E for sampling locations.)
No volatile organic compounds were detected in surface water. Low concentrations of 2-butanone (190 ppb), methylene chloride (120 ppb), toluene (3 ppb) and carbon disulfide (3 ppb) were detected in sediment samples. Phase III bioassay tests indicated that sediment contaminants were not adversely impacting organisms.
C. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL
The Quality Assurance/Quality Control plan was reviewed. Data gathered during the Remedial Investigation, Phase I, IIA, IIB and III appear to follow appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures. Modifications to the sampling plan were outlined in the RI Report.
Organic compounds and inorganic elements were often estimated due to limitations identified by the laboratory or during data validation. Estimated values were noted in summary tables.
Phase I soil analysis for Base Neutral/Acid Extractables was rejected due to extended laboratory holding times and other deficiencies.
Numerous physical hazards are present at the site. Building structures are in varying degrees of disrepair. Falling bricks and debris could result in injury to individuals passing near or in buildings. The on-site pond and a few other pits are not fenced and falls could result.
Environmental and human components that lead to exposure are evaluated to determine whether nearby residents are exposed to contaminants at the site or migrating from the site. The pathway analysis consists of five elements: A source of contamination, transport through an environmental medium, a point of exposure, a route of human exposure and an exposed population.
An exposure pathway is categorized as a completed or potential exposure pathway if the exposure pathway cannot be eliminated. A completed exposure pathway occurs when the five elements of an exposure pathway link the contaminated source to a receptor population. Should a completed exposure pathway exist in the past, present, or future, the population is considered exposed. A potential exposure pathway exists when one or more of the five elements is missing, or if modeling is performed to replace real sampling data. Potential pathways indicate that exposure to a contaminant could have occurred in the past, could be occurring now, or could occur in the future. An exposure pathway can be eliminated if at least one of the five elements is missing and will never be present.
A. COMPLETED EXPOSURE PATHWAYS
No completed exposure pathways have been identified.
B. POTENTIAL EXPOSURE PATHWAYS
Groundwater Pathways
Historical waste disposal practices and leaking drums containing hazardous wastes are likely to have caused groundwater contamination at the site. During Phase I and II sampling, metals including, antimony, arsenic, copper, lead, and vanadium were detected, above comparison values, in the groundwater wells drilled on site. It is believed that these elevated concentrations were the result of sampling generated particles in the water and Phase III sampling resulted in concentrations of these metals below comparison values. Hydrogeological investigations of the aquifer beneath the site indicate that the groundwater beneath the site is hydraulically connected to the groundwater feeding the new public water supply wells. No contamination of the new public supply wells has been detected. Extensive pump testing was conducted to stress the aquifer and confirm that the site would not impact the public water supply.
The old town well which was used until 1985 was upgradient of the site and prior to its closure, no contamination was detected.
Soil Pathway
On-site soils have been contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some metals above comparison levels. Workers and visitors may have been exposed to contaminated soils in the past due to historical disposal and storage practice at the site. Currently, trespassers are potentially exposed through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact with contaminated soil, particularly around the building structures where the highest levels of contamination were found. This would be affected by the amount of time spent on the site and the type of activity occurring. Only one soil sample at 0-6 inches was analyzed for metals after screening was performed to identify areas requiring further analysis.
Surface Water and Sediments
Volatile organic compounds were not found in any of the surface water samples. While current and future exposures to volatile organic compounds in surface water is not likely, it is possible that past exposures to a variety of contaminants occurred in light of the reports of dumping into the River and corresponding color changes. We have no data, however, to confirm or deny this.
Metals including iron, manganese, arsenic and copper were detected in both surface water and
sediment samples above background. Past, present and future exposures to metals may be occurring
through incidental ingestion and dermal contact with sediments.
No completed pathways have been identified at the site. However, some contamination of groundwater, soil, surface water and sediments have been found. In this section, the health effects that could occur if people were exposed to the contamination found at the site will be discussed. Contaminated soils present the most likely potential past, present and future exposure pathways. ATSDR's Toxicological Profiles, chemical-specific profiles which provide information on health effects, environmental transport, and human exposure, will be used to discuss polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), copper and lead.
PAHs
PAHs are a group of chemicals that are formed during incomplete combustion. The PAHs found at the Revere Site are likely to have been released during the fire at the site. PAHs can also occur naturally. There are over one hundred different PAH compounds, they can be found in air, water, and soil. The PAHs detected at the site are listed as the first eight compounds in the on-site soil chart. There is the potential for skin contact with and incidental ingestion of site soils.
A minimum risk level of 0.1 mg/kg/day has been set for short term exposure through ingestion of foods containing PAHs. A minimum risk level is the level below which a harmful (noncancer) health effect is not expected to occur. The highest concentration of PAHs in soil 0-6 inches was benzo(k)fluoranthene at 13 parts per million. Because people are not likely to ingest quantities of soil from the site, it is not likely that adverse effects will occur.
Adverse skin effects have been seen in humans following long term exposures to some PAHs but at concentration much higher than detected on-site.
COPPER
Copper occurs naturally in rock, soil, water, sediment and air. The average concentration of copper in soil is about 50 parts per million. It is an essential nutrient for humans. At the site, copper was detected in soil at 0-6 inches at 18 parts per million and in deeper soils at 1040 parts per million. There is the potential for skin contact with and incidental ingestion of site soils.
Gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and cramping have been seen in humans acutely exposed to copper in water. EPA has determined that copper in drinking water should not exceed 1 part per million. Adverse health effects from incidental ingestion of surface soil at the site are not likely to occur.
Dermatitis has been seen in some individuals exposed to copper metal primarily from copper jewelry. Adverse skin effects from exposure to soil containing copper is not likely.
LEAD
Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in small amounts in the earth's crust. The highest concentration of lead found in soils 0-6 inches at the site was 6.4 parts per million. There is the potential for exposure to lead through incidental ingestion and skin contact.
Long term exposures to low levels of lead can cause brain damage, and lowered I.Q. in children. Lead is not easily absorbed through the skin. Adverse health effects associated with skin contact with lead at the site is not likely.
Ingestion of soil containing lead can increase blood lead levels. Studies have shown that levels in soil below 100 parts per million are not likely to adversely increase blood lead levels in even the most sensitive group, pica children, children who have an abnormal desire to eat substances not normally eaten, like soil.
B. HEALTH OUTCOME DATA EVALUATION
The evaluation of health outcome data is not indicated. Since there were no adverse health effects reported, and since no completed exposure pathways have been identified, the biological plausibility of adverse health effects is unlikely.
C. COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS EVALUATION
The only documented concern expressed by a member of the community was about the safety of drinking water at a new development at least one half mile from the site on Route 14. Elevated levels of metals detected in on-site monitoring wells were found to be the result of sampling generated particles in the water samples. The site is not impacting the public water supply downgradient of the site. It is safe to assume that groundwater in the area of the new development has not been impacted by the site.
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