PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
AGRICO CHEMICAL CO.
PENSACOLA, ESCAMBIA, FLORIDA
Figure 1. State Map Showing Location of Escambia County
Figure 2. Location of Pensacola in Escambia County
Figure 3. Location of Agrico Chemical Co. in Pensacola
Figure 4. Detail of Agrico Chemical Co. Site
Figure 5. On-site Surface Soil Sample Location
Figure 6. On-site Subsurface Soil Sample Locations
Figure 7. On-site Surface Water Sample Locations
Figure 8. On-site Shallow Groundwater Sample Locations
Figure 9. On-site Deep Groundwater Sample Locations
Figure 10. On-site Waste Sludge Sample Locations
Figure 11. Off-site Surface Soil Sample Locations
Figure 12. Off-site Subsurface Soil Sample Locations
Figure 13. Off-site Shallow Groundwater Sample Locations
Table 1. Maximum Concentrations in On-Site Surface Soil
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (mg/kg) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (mg/kg) |
Comparison Value | |
(mg/kg) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 35 | 13/14 | NA | 0.4 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | 0.98 | 1/7 | NA | 0.1 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
2.7 | -/7 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/7 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
1.4 | -/7 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | 27 | 5/13 | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | 1.7 | -/7 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
0.3 | -/7 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 110,000 | 34/57 | 39 | 100 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
1.1 | -/7 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 46,000 | -/18 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Manganese | 7 | 0/1 | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 1,000 | -/13 | NA | NONE | NONE |
Vanadium | 1.3 | 0/1 | NA | 6.0 | EMEG |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
CARCIN - Carcinogen
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
Sources: EPA 1983, Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 2. Maximum Concentration in On-Site Subsurface Soil
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (mg/kg) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (mg/kg) |
Comparison Value | |
(mg/kg) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 56 | 50/60 | 1.5 | 0.4 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | 12 | 1/27 | NA | 0.1 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
12 | -/27 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
12 | -/27 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
0.32 | -/27 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | 57 | 26/60 | 4.3 | 10.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | 16 | -/27 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/27 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 60,000 | 108/157 | NA | 100 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
10 | -/27 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 3,800 | -/80 | 5.5 | NONE | CARCIN |
Manganese | 22 | 2/4 | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 9,100 | -/56 | ND | NONE | NONE |
Vanadium | 27 | 3/4 | NA | 6.0 | EMEG |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
CARCIN - Carcinogen
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
Sources: Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 3. Maximum Concentration in On-Site Surface Water
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (µg/L) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (µg/L) |
Comparison Value | |
(µg/L) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | ND | 0/3 | NA | 0.02 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | NA | NA | NA | 0.005 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
NA | NA | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
NA | NA | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
NA | NA | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | NA | NA | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | NA | NA | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
NA | NA | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 2680000 | 4/5 | NA | 500 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
NA | NA | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | ND | 0/3 | NA | 15.0 | FLMCL |
Manganese | 1,000 | 2/3 | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 2600000 | 1/5 | NA | 250000 | FLSDW |
Vanadium | 29 | 1/3 | NA | 20.0 | LTHA |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
FLMCL - Florida MCL
FLSDW - Florida Secondary Drinking Water Standard
µg/L - micrograms per liter
Source: EPA 1983
Table 4. Maximum Concentration in On-Site Shallow Groundwater
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (µg/L) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (µg/L) |
Comparison Value | |
(µg/L) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 300 | 3/5 | NA | 0.02 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | ND | 0/4 | NA | 0.005 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/4 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/4 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
ND | 0/4 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | ND | 0/4 | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | ND | 0/4 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/4 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 27,000 | 2/7 | NA | 500 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
ND | 0/4 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 6.6 | 0/7 | NA | 15.0 | FLMCL |
Manganese | 330 | 2/3 | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 94,000 | 0/7 | NA | 250000 | FLSDW |
Vanadium | ND | 0/3 | NA | 20.0 | LTHA |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
FLMCL - Florida MCL
FLSDW - Florida Secondary Drinking Water Standard
µg/L - micrograms per liter
Sources: Watts et al 1988, Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 5. Maximum Concentration in On-Site Deep Groundwater
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (µg/L) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (µg/L) |
Comparison Value | |
(µg/L) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 10 | 1/4 | NA | 0.02 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | ND | 0/2 | NA | 0.005 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/2 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/2 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
ND | 0/2 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | ND | 0/5 | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | ND | 0/2 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/2 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 220 | 0/8 | NA | 500 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
ND | 0/2 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 6.7 | 0/6 | NA | 15.0 | FLMCL |
Manganese | NA | NA | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 34,000 | 0/8 | NA | 250000 | FLSDW |
Vanadium | NA | NA | NA | 20.0 | LTHA |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
FLMCL - Florida MCL
FLSDW - Florida Secondary Drinking Water Standard
µg/L - micrograms per liter
Sources: Watts et al 1988, Watts and Wiegand 1989, Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 6. Maximum Concentration in On-Site Waste Sludge
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (mg/kg) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (mg/kg) |
Comparison Value | |
(mg/kg) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 58 | 1/2 | NA | 0.4 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | 1.4 | 2/10 | NA | 0.1 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
1.0 | -/9 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
2.4 | -/10 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
1.3 | -/10 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | 42 | 2/2 | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | 1.7 | -/10 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/10 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 530,000 | 39/41 | NA | 100 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
1.0 | -/10 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 6,900 | -/6 | NA | NONE | CARCIN |
Manganese | 46 | 3/3 | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 9,100 | -/12 | NA | NONE | NONE |
Vanadium | 55 | 3/3 | NA | 6.0 | EMEG |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
CARCIN - Carcinogen
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
Sources: EPA 1983, Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 7. Maximum Concentrations in Off-Site Surface Soil
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (mg/kg) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (mg/kg) |
Comparison Value | |
(mg/kg) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | NA | NA | NA | 0.4 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | 0.58 | 3/7 | ND | 0.1 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
0.88 | -/7 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
0.66 | -/7 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
0.62 | -/7 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | NA | NA | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | 0.81 | -/7 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/7 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 3,900 | 4/16 | ND | 100 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
0.48 | -/7 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 110 | -/3 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Manganese | NA | NA | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | NA | NA | NA | NONE | NONE |
Vanadium | NA | NA | NA | 6.0 | EMEG |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
CARCIN - Carcinogen
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
Source: Geraghty & Miller 1992b
Table 8. Maximum Concentrations in Off-Site Subsurface Soil
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (mg/kg) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (mg/kg) |
Comparison Value | |
(mg/kg) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | NA | NA | NA | 0.4 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | 0.66 | 2/10 | ND | 0.1 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
2.9 | -/10 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
2.2 | -/10 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
2.9 | -/10 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | NA | NA | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | 3.7 | -/10 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
0.69 | -/10 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 3,300 | 12/24 | ND | 100 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
2.2 | -/10 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 37 | -/3 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Manganese | NA | NA | NA | 10.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | NA | NA | NA | NONE | NONE |
Vanadium | NA | NA | NA | 6.0 | EMEG |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
CARCIN - Carcinogen
mg/kg - milligrams per kilogram
Source: Geraghty & Miller 1992b
Table 9. Maximum Concentration in Off-Site Shallow Groundwater
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (µg/L) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (µg/L) |
Comparison Value | |
(µg/L) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 740 | 2/10 | ND | 0.02 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | ND | 0/11 | ND | 0.005 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/11 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/11 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
ND | 0/11 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | 84 | 1/24 | ND | 50.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | ND | 0/11 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/11 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 94,000 | 9/24 | 180 | 500 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
ND | 0/11 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 11 | 0/26 | 8.6 | 15.0 | FLMCL |
Manganese | NA | NA | 170 | 50.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 290,000 | 2/26 | 68,000 | 250000 | FLSDW |
Vanadium | NA | NA | ND | 20.0 | LTHA |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
FLMCL - Florida MCL
FLSDW - Florida Secondary Drinking Water Standard
µg/L - micrograms per liter
Sources: Watts et al 1988, Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 10. Maximum Concentration in Off-Site Deep Groundwater
Contaminants of Concern |
Maximum Concentration (µg/L) |
Total # Exceeding Comparison Value/ Total # Samples |
Back- ground Concen- tration (µg/L) |
Comparison Value | |
(µg/L) | Source | ||||
Arsenic | 41.2 | 3/23 | ND | 0.02 | CREG |
Benzo(a)-pyrene | ND | 0/17 | ND | 0.005 | CREG |
Benzo(b)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/17 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benzo(k)- fluoranthene |
ND | 0/17 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Benz(a)- anthracene |
ND | 0/17 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Chromium(VI) | 120 | 2/42 | ND | 50.0 | RMEG |
Chrysene | 11 | -/17 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Dibenz(a,h)- anthracene |
ND | 0/17 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Fluoride | 127,000 | 32/73 | 80 | 500 | EMEG |
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d) pyrene |
ND | 0/17 | ND | NONE | CARCIN |
Lead | 27.2 | 2/47 | ND | 15.0 | FLMCL |
Manganese | NA | NA | NA | 50.0 | RMEG |
Sulfate | 784,000 | 8/73 | 10,000 | 250000 | FLSDW |
Vanadium | NA | NA | NA | 20.0 | LTHA |
NA - not analyzed
ND - not detected
FLMCL - Florida MCL
FLSDW - Florida Secondary Drinking Water Standard
µg/L - micrograms per liter
Sources: Watts et al 1988, Watts and Wiegand 1989, Geraghty & Miller 1992a, 1992b
Table 11. Completed Exposure Pathways
PATHWAY NAME |
EXPOSURE PATHWAY ELEMENTS | TIME | ||||
SOURCE | ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE |
ROUTE OF EXPOSURE |
EXPOSED POPULATION |
||
On-site Surface Soil |
Agrico Site | Surface Soil | On-site | Ingestion/ Dermal Contact |
Workers/ Trespassers/ Individuals using ballfield |
Past Future |
Off-site Surface Soil |
Off Site | Surface Soil | Off-site | Ingestion/Dermal Contact | Residents | Past Present Future |
On-site Waste Sludge |
Agrico Site | Waste Sludge | On-site | Ingestion/Dermal Contact | Workers/ Trespassers/ Individuals using ballfield |
Past Future |
On-site Surface Water |
Agrico Site | Surface Water | On-Site | Dermal Contact |
Workers/ Trespassers |
Past Future |
Table 12. Potential Exposure Pathways
PATHWAY NAME |
EXPOSURE PATHWAY ELEMENTS | TIME | ||||
SOURCE | ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE |
ROUTE OF EXPOSURE |
EXPOSED POPULATION |
||
Sub-surface Soil |
Agrico Site | Subsurface Soil | On-site | Ingestion/ Dermal Contact |
Remediation Workers |
Future |
Surface Water |
Bayou Texar | Surface Water | Off-site | Ingestion/ Dermal Contact/ Fish, Shellfish Consumption |
Remediation Workers |
Future |
C. Additional Site Contaminants
The following chemicals were detected at this site at levels below human health concern.
1,1-Dichloroethene
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
1,1,2,2-Tetrachlorothane
2,4-Dimethylphenol
2,4-Dinitrotoluene
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Aldrin
Benzene
Boron
Bromoform
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloroform
Chloromethane
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
Dieldrin
Mercury
Molybdenum
Naphthalene
Nitrate
Pentachlorophenol
p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD)
p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethene (DDE)
p,p'-Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)
Tetrachloroethene
Trichloroethene
Xylene
The following chemicals were detected at this site. There is insufficient toxicological information available upon which to base an assessment of their public health significance.
1,1-Dichloroethane
2-Chloroethylvinyl Ether
2H-1-Benzopyran-2-one
9H-Carbazole
Acenaphthalene
Acenaphthylene
Aluminum
-BHC
Benz(a)anthracene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(b)thiophene
Benzo(ghi)perylene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Benzyl Alcohol
Chloroethane
Chrysene
Copper
Dibenzofuran
Dibenz(ah)anthracene
Endrin Aldehyde
Ethynyl Methyl Benzene
Indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene
Methyl Naphthalene
Methyl Benzofuran
Methyl Quinoline
Naphthalene Carbonitrile
Phenanthrene
Propenyl Benzene
Propynyl Benzene
Titanium
Trimethylbenzene
Yttrium
D. Responses to Public Comments
Presented below is a summary of the comments received during the public comment period and our responses.
1. Several comments expressed concern about the lack of surface water and fish tissue sampling from Bayou Texar. It appears that fluoride and perhaps other site-related contaminants, including two possible human carcinogens, 1,1-dichloroethane and 4-methylphenol, may have reached the bayou.
This concern may be important to the future of the bayou. Although fluoride and sulfate have reached the bayou, the levels are currently too low to cause adverse health effects in humans or animals. Lead, arsenic and other site-related contaminants have not been detected in monitoring wells greater than about three-quarter miles from the site. These contaminants may reach the bayou in the future. The public health assessment (PHA) recommends that EPA conduct periodic sampling of the bayou. EPA's proposed monitoring plan for the Agrico groundwater plume and Bayou Texar should detect the movement of these contaminants in time for additional protective measures to be implemented.
The contaminants 1,1-dichloroethane and 4-methylphenol were detected only once in one deep groundwater monitoring well. The concentration of 4-methylphenol is less than ATSDR's acute MRL. There is insufficient toxicological information about 1,1-dichloroethane for us to assess its public health significance.
2. One comment suggested that recommendations in the PHA should more appropriately be directed to EPA rather than the PRPs.
We concur and have changed the summary and recommendation sections of the PHA so that all recommendations for further action are directed to EPA.
3. One comment indicated that the site is not secure, allowing access by children and other trespassers.
We concur with the concern about site security. The PHA has recommended that EPA maintain site security and post additional warning signs in accordance with Florida statute and DEP rules.
4. Several comments addressed the inadequacy of off-site surface soil sampling, particularly at the ballfield north of the site and in residential yards west of the site.
We are also concerned about the adequacy of off-site sampling. The PHA has recommended that EPA analyze surface soil samples from the southernmost off-site ballfield and the area immediately off-site to the west of the site for all contaminants of concern. Additional sampling may be necessary if contamination is found at a level of concern in these areas. We will evaluate this information when it becomes available to determine its public health significance.
5. There is concern that sampling of the on-site baseball field was not adequate to assess the health risk to children who played on it before it was abandoned.
We have analyzed the risk to children who used the abandoned on-site ballfield from exposure to contaminants, such as fluoride, lead, arsenic, chromium and sulfate, and determined that the only likely health risk is from exposure to fluoride. The other contaminants are not at a high enough concentration to pose a health risk.
6. Several comments expressed the concern that air-borne dust may have transported contaminants from the site to areas off-site and may be an exposure pathway for trespassers or workers on the site.
Because of site characteristics (i.e., heavy vegetation, low-lying area) it is unlikely that dust generation/migration off-site has occurred. However, the PHA has recommended additional off-site sampling to check for migration of contaminants (see comment 4 above). There is no air monitoring data available for us to determine if adverse health effects are possible from exposure of trespassers to dust on the site. Remediation activities may disturb the soil enough to generate dust. However, the PHA recommends that EPA implement optimal dust suppression measures and conduct air monitoring during remediation.
7. There is a concern that exposure to off-site subsurface soil is a pathway that could cause adverse health effects.
Long-term, daily contact with off-site subsurface soil would be necessary before adverse health effects would become likely. Since such exposure is unlikely, adverse health effects from this potential exposure pathway are not expected.
If remediation of the site requires excavation of subsurface soil, on-site workers could be exposed to soil contaminants. Dust may also be generated by this activity. The PHA has recommended that worker protection be provided, and that optimal dust suppression measures and air monitoring be implemented to prevent exposure to site-related contaminants.
8. Several comments expressed the concern that PAHs, especially benzo(a)pyrene, had not been analyzed for in off-site surface soil or the on-site baseball field. One comment pointed out that EPA seems to have ignored organic contaminants in its cleanup proposals for the site.
Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene by any completed pathway, at the highest concentration found on- or off-site, would not have any adverse carcinogenic or non-carcinogenic health effects. Since the concentrations of all contaminants except fluoride found at the on-site ballfield are much lower than those found on other parts of the site, we do not expect the level of benzo(a)pyrene to be higher at the ballfield. Questions or concerns about EPA's cleanup plans for the site should be directed to EPA.