The lead in the ash pile at the Hunter residence could present a public
health hazard to children; however, under most normal exposure scenarios,
lead confined to a small area would not be expected to present a public health
hazard unless children frequently played in that area.
Chronic ingestion of water from the drinking water well on the Penix residence
or from the drinking water well 1,000 feet south of the site entrance (background
sample) in the EPA Site Investigation could result in lead exposure doses
that exceed blood lead levels recommended by the CDC. Follow-up sampling by
the TNRCC did not find lead in these water wells.
Although data were not provided, we have been informed that the containers
of sludge found near the south pond and the surrounding soil in the EPA Site
Investigation were found to be extremely caustic or acidic. This represents
a physical/chemical health hazard.
Antimony and manganese slightly exceeded their
HAC values in soil and iron exceeded a secondary MCL by a very small margin
in a residential well. These contaminants do not represent a public health
threat and do not warrant further consideration.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Residents on site should be told of the lead levels near the ash pile on the Hunter residence and should be advised to avoid this area.
Since the EPA sampling detected lead in water from two wells and follow-up sampling by the TNRCC did not detect lead in water from these same wells, water from these wells should be re-sampled.
Any corrosive containers on the site should be removed and residents should be advised to avoid contact with the contaminated soils.
REFERENCES
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for lead. Atlanta: ATSDR, Feb. 1998.
CDC, 1991. Centers for Disease Control. Preventing Lead Poisoning in Young Children, A Statement by the CDC. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, October 1991.
Schilling R, Bain RP, 1989. Prediction of children's blood lead levels on the basis of household specific lead levels. American Journal of Epidemiology; 128(1):197-205.
PREPARERS OF THE REPORT
Lisa R. Williams, M.S.
Toxicologist
Health Risk Assessment and Toxicology Program
John F. Villanacci, Ph.D.
Director
Health Risk Assessment and Toxicology Program
ATSDR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE
George Pettigrew, P.E.
Senior Regional Representative
ATSDR - Region 6
ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER
William Greim
Environmental Health Scientist
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Superfund Site Assessment Branch
CERTIFICATION
The Seven Points Sanitation Health Consultation
was prepared by the Texas Department of Health under the 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 initiated.
William Greim
Technical Project Officer, SPS, SSAB, DHAC
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation,
ATSDR, has reviewed this Health Consultation and concurs with its findings.
