PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
HOOKER CHEMICAL/RUCO POLYMER
HICKSVILLE, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
A summary of the environmental contamination data collected during the remedial investigation (RI) for the Hooker/Ruco site is presented in Tables 1 and 3. The listing of a contaminant does not necessarily mean that its presence is a public health concern. Contaminants selected for further evaluation are identified and evaluated in subsequent sections of the public health assessment to determine whether exposure to them has public health significance. When selected as a contaminant of concern in one medium, that contaminant will be reported in all media where it is detected.
Environmental data in this section have been collected principally as part of the 1990 Hooker/Ruco Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS). RI/FS studies at the NWIRP site and the Grumman Aerospace site have also been reviewed.
Soils
Table 1 summarizes the on-site soil sampling program results from the 1990 RI. All of the chemicals detected were found in soils at concentrations above public health assessment comparison values (see Table 2). Antimony, cadmium and trichloroethene were found in concentrations just above the comparison values. PCB 1248 and tetrachloroethene were found most frequently and exceeded comparison values the most. These trends occurred for both shallow (less than two feet) and deep (greater than one foot) samples. Shallow soil samples are considered to be all of the samples collected from ground surface to a maximum of 2 feet below ground surface. Soil collected from one foot below ground surface and deeper are considered deep samples.
Sediments
Sediment samples from sumps 3 and 4 were collected during the 1990 RI (see Table 1). The highest concentration of PCB 1248 found was 73.0 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg). PCBs were found in seven of eleven samples and is the most significant contamination in the sediment. Antimony and cadmium were also found in concentrations above comparison values.
Groundwater
The groundwater data from the 1990 RI sampling program are summarized in Table 3. 1,2-Dichloroethene, trichloroethene, vinyl chloride, tetrachloroethene, antimony and cadmium were found in concentrations exceeding comparison values (see Table 3). The on-site, upgradient and off-site monitoring data suggest that the site is the source of contamination in groundwater off-site (see Tables 3 and 4). The contaminants of concern include trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene and vinyl chloride. However, the upgradient monitoring well supply indicate that a source of groundwater contamination is upgradient of the Hooker/Ruco site (see tetrachloroethene data in Table 3). All of the data reported here is for monitoring wells installed to a depth of less than 200 feet below ground surface. PCBs and carbon tetrachloride were not detected in groundwater on- or off-site.
Surface Water
A summary of the contaminants found in three surface water samples collected from the recharge basins on-site is in Table 3.
Air
No volatile organic chemicals were detected during air monitoring in the fall of 1989, which was conducted as part of the 1990 RI. This included the contaminants which were in either the on-site soils or groundwater (see Table 1 and 3).
Soils
No off-site soil samples have been collected to define the potential for contamination of this medium from operations at the Hooker/Ruco site. Spillage and discharge of liquids on-site, which resulted in on-site soil contamination, should not have resulted in off-site contamination.
Groundwater
The data in Table 3 shows that off-site groundwater is contaminated. Two contaminants, vinyl chloride and tetrachloro-ethene were found in on-site and off-site groundwater samples. Both of these chemicals were used on-site at one time. Tetra-chloroethene was also found in on-site soils and vinyl chloride is a known breakdown product of tetrachloroethene. It was also produced on-site from 1956 to 1975. Table 4 gives the sampling results for monitoring wells installed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) near the Hooker/Ruco Polymer site. The location of the USGS groundwater monitoring wells is given in Figure 3.
Monitoring well N10594 is on Grumman Aerospace Property. Monitoring well N10812, which is upgradient of the site, is the least contaminated. Monitoring well N10593 is the first well downgradient of the Hooker/Ruco site and is contaminated the most. These monitoring wells are all installed to a depth of less than 200 feet deep.
Public Water Supplies
The results from specific samples for the Bethpage Water District supply wells were not available during preparation of this public health assessment. However, Plant Number 6 was closed in 1978 because of contamination with trichloroethene and was not reopened until a treatment system was installed in 1990. Recently, concentrations of trichloroethene below standards were detected in Bethpage Water District Plant 4. Bethpage Water District Plant 5 has not shown contamination. The location of these facilities is shown on Figure 4. Additionally, wells used by the Levittown and Hicksville water supplies are in areas that may be downgradient of the Hooker/Ruco site.
C. Quality Assurance and Quality Control
The Quality Assurance and Quality Control information for the data in this document has been reviewed. The information indicates that the data are acceptable and were obtained using established protocols. Some common analytical problems were identified such as laboratory contamination of samples with methylene chloride and acetone. In accordance with acceptable QA/QC criteria many of the positive findings in the 1990 RI/FS were estimated values. Estimated values and quantitative values in the 1990 RI/FS were used to generate Tables 1 and 3 in this report.
No physical hazards to the public were identified at this site.
E. Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI)
To identify facilities that could contribute to groundwater, soil, or air contamination in the area around the Hooker/Ruco site and/or create health risks unrelated to the site, NYS DOH searched the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) data for 1990. TRI is developed by the US EPA from the chemical release (air, water, soil) information provided by certain industries.
A search of the 1990 Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) identified six industrial facilities within a 2.5 mile radius of the Hooker/Ruco site. A summary of reported TRI air emissions for the six facilities is presented in Table 5. None of the facilities report discharges to water or soil. Based on TRI data and air emissions modeling, results of the screening evaluation indicate that emissions from the Grumman Aerospace Corporation facility could affect ambient air near the Hooker/Ruco site. As presented in Table 5, the screening criterion of 1 microgram per cubic meter is exceeded for reported releases of trichloroethene, Freon 113 and tetrachloroethene. Further discussion of TRI is included in the Public Health Implications section.
To determine whether nearby residents are exposed to contaminants migrating from the site, an evaluation was made of the environmental and human components that lead to human exposures. This pathways 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. A completed exposure pathway occurs when the five elements of an exposure pathway link the contaminant 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 are 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.
Table 6 describes those exposure pathways that are important and relevant to the site.
The one completed exposure pathway found for this site is for workers of Hooker/Ruco on-site. The source of contamination for this exposure is from spillage of PCB-laden oil. The contaminated area is near the pilot plant. The area is not used by most of the employees on-site. Additionally, remedial work completed in August 1992 removed those soils contaminated with PCBs in concentrations greater than 10.0 ppm. The highest concentrations of contamination was found in soils at a depth of 1 to 3 feet, so the greatest concern is for any workers involved in excavations on-site. These conditions indicate that a small number of people that work for Hooker/Ruco on an infrequent basis can be exposed to soils that contain PCBs in concentrations above comparison values (see Tables 1 and 2) but below 10 ppm. Prior to the 1992 removal action, workers had a potential to be exposed to soils with PCBs at concentrations as high as 2,100 ppm.
Since the PCB contaminated soils are on-site and the site is only accessible to workers, this is the potentially exposed population with little potential for exposure to citizens of the local community. The PCB removal action that was conducted and managed by the US EPA reduced the exposure for workers. However, a concern still exists since the cleanup is to a level of 10.0 milligrams of PCBs per 1 kilogram of soil (10.0 mg/kg). This is just above the comparison value given in Table 2.
The restriction of site access through the use of fencing of the entire property and a 24-hour security force eliminates the potential for the community to be exposed to the contaminated soils on-site. Although unlikely, future use of this site could be development of residential property. Under this unlikely scenario, residents would potentially be exposed to contaminated soils.
B. Potential Exposure Pathways
Hooker/Ruco site was and may still be a source of groundwater contamination. Groundwater is the sole source of potable water for residents near the site. The potential impact of the Hooker/Ruco site on these wells is not sufficiently described. However, one municipal well plant of Bethpage has been fitted with a treatment system because of contamination with low levels of trichloroethene. The reason this exposure pathway is considered a "potential" and not "complete" is that the "point of exposure" as described in Table 6 is not confirmed. A point of exposure is not confirmed for two very different reasons. The first reason is that the data is insufficient to conclude that the groundwater contamination by Hooker/Ruco will reach any currently existing public water supply wells in either the Bethpage, Hicksville or Levittown Water Districts. It is unknown because the data is inadequate to describe groundwater flow and the quantity of contamination. The second reason the point of exposure is considered a potential is that even if contamination reaches public water supply source wells, sampling programs and government regulations should prevent the serving of water contaminated above comparison values (Table 3).
Based on odor complaints expressed by local citizens inhalation and direct contact to air contamination from the Hooker/Ruco site is considered a potential impact. The air sampling data do not suggest Hooker/Ruco is the source of contaminants. However, these data are from the 1990 RI/FS study which was not designed to measure emissions from current operations of Ruco Polymer. Additionally, Ruco Polymer in 1990 installed a thermal oxidizer to destroy chemicals released from active process vents to address concerns with air emissions. Citizens have expressed that recently there have been no odors attributable to Ruco Polymer. Based on all of this information, there is a potential for the community to have been exposed to contaminants from active manufacturing processes at Ruco Polymer, but the lack of data precludes a toxicological evaluation of these exposures. For this reason, this exposure pathway is not evaluated further; however, the additional investigation of this exposure pathway is recommended.
C. Eliminated Exposure Pathway
Exposure to contaminated surface water and sediment in sumps on-site have been eliminated. Human exposure to these media have been eliminated since access to the sumps is restricted to on-site workers that should be trained in handling hazardous materials. However, these media are considered as formerly contributing significantly to the contamination of groundwater. Groundwater is discussed as a potential exposure pathway.
B. Health Outcome Data Evaluation
NYS DOH has not evaluated health outcome data specifically for the Hooker/Ruco site. Breast cancer incidence rates have been examined for small geographic areas of Nassau and Suffolk counties for the years 1978-1987. No association was found between breast cancer incidence patterns and contaminated drinking water wells or hazardous waste sites. Additionally, the rate of breast cancer for residents immediately adjacent to the Hooker/Ruco area was very near the average rate for Nassau County. This study concluded that the highest rates of breast cancer were in the areas of Long Island with the highest socioeconomic status. Accordingly, no correlation has been found between the incidence of breast cancer and residence adjacent to the Hooker/Ruco plant site.
C. Community Health Concerns Evaluation
The community is primarily concerned about affects on their drinking water from the Hooker/Ruco site, Grumman Aerospace site and NWIRP. Community health concerns are being addressed as follows:
Concerns about the contamination of groundwater were addressed by explaining that all potable water in this area is from municipal supplies which must conform to NYS DOH standards. Reviewing the results of the 1989 NYS DOH breast cancer study has helped to address concerns regarding PCB contamination. Additionally, these concerns were addressed by explaining that no routes of exposure to the general public are associated with the PCB contamination on-site at Hooker/Ruco.
D. Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI)
The screening evaluation of the TRI identified one industrial facility whose emissions of tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene and Freon 113 (Grumman Aerospace Corp.) could have an affect on ambient air quality in the community around the Hooker/Ruco Polymer site. Review of Table 5 shows that the screening criterion of 1.0 microgram per cubic meter for each of these contaminants is exceeded. As discussed earlier, tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene are chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory animals and may also increase the risk of cancer in humans who are exposed to lower levels over long periods of time. Based on the results of animal studies and the TRI screening evaluation, we estimate that emissions of these two chemicals could pose a low increased risk of cancer over a lifetime of exposure. Toxicological data are inadequate to assess the carcinogenic potential of Freon 113 (US EPA, 1992).
Tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene and Freon 113 are also know to produce a variety of non-carcinogenic toxicities (primarily liver, kidney and nervous system effects) at exposure levels several orders of magnitude greater than those estimated using the TRI screening model. Chemicals that cause effects in humans and/or animals after high levels of exposure may also pose a risk to humans who are exposed to lower levels over long periods of time. Although the risks of non-carcinogenic effects are not completely understood, the existing data suggest that they are minimal for emissions of these three chemicals from the Grumman Aerospace Corp.
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