HEALTH CONSULTATION
HAMBURG LEAD-KAERCHER CREEK SITE
HAMBURG, BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF ISSUES
The Region III U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to review environmental sampling data collected from Kaercher Creek in Hamburg, Pennsylvania and determine if lead contamination poses a public health hazard [1]. The Kaercher Creek site is one of several sites in the Hamburg area that have been impacted by waste disposal from area battery manufacturing and recycling facilities.
Historical dumping of the casings from lead-acid batteries resulted in significant lead contamination throughout Hamburg. The broken battery casings were used for decades to fill in many low lying areas around Hamburg. ATSDR has provided consultation to EPA on lead contamination at the Playground, Field House, Geary Drive, Kaercher Park, and most recently, residential properties adjacent to the Price Battery site. Lead levels in the tens of thousands of parts per million have been detected in the soil where batteries have been dumped. Several removal actions have been undertaken by EPA to address the lead contamination. The latest investigation by EPA concerns the disposal of battery casings along Kaercher Creek.
Kaercher Creek originates at Kaercher Lake and flows Southwest through Hamburg and empties into the Schuylkill River (Figure I). The creek passes through several properties where lead-contaminated battery casings have been dumped. These properties include the Hamburg "Cornfield site"and the "Field House site" [2]. In addition, the creek passes under the former Price Battery Plant. Lead contamination has been detected in the surface soil of residential properties near the Price Battery Plant.
This health consultation addresses the creek section that is approximately 4,450 feet in length, and extends from Kaercher Lake to the boundary of the Price Battery site. The creek ranges from 3 to 10 feet in width, and is approximately 1 to 3 feet deep [2]. The creek winds through both residential and commercial areas on its way to the Schuylkill River [2]. The creek bank is muddy or grassy in some locations, in others, it is rocky, or simply a cement culvert [2]. Access to the creek is difficult in some areas. In other locations paths have been cut to the creek to allow easy access [2].
On October 24, 2002, ATSDR personnel accompanied EPA on a tour of Kaercher Creek and the surrounding area. During the tour, battery casings were found in the creek sediment and creek bank. Public access to the creek varied at different points along the creek. In some cases the creek passes through residential areas where access is readily available, in others, access was hindered by heavy vegetation. Although no people were observed near the creek at the time of the tour, there was evidence of human activity at the creek (e.g. foot paths, bottles, etc.).
Soil/Sediment Sampling
In August 2002 the EPA conducted sampling of the creek bank and sediment. The purpose of the sampling was to assess the lead contamination in the top 12 inches of soil/sediment [2]. Transects were established at 100 foot intervals along the creek. At each transect, samples were collected from the opposing banks and from the sediment in the creek [2]. A total of 86 soil samples and 38 sediment samples were collected from the creek. The lead concentration in the soil samples ranged from 30 to 45,184 parts per million (ppm), with 29 samples exceeding 1,000 ppm [2]. Lead sediment concentrations ranged from 19 ppm to 2,148 ppm. Six sediment samples exceeded 1,000 ppm. The combined average lead concentration in the soil and sediment was 533 ppm[2]. In September and October 2002, EPA collected additional sediment and soil samples from the creek and creek bank below the Price Battery Plant. Lead was detected at a maximum concentration of 62,259 ppm in the sediment and 19,100 ppm in the soil.
The EPA On Scene Coordinator (OSC) for the site has indicated that the surface water from the creek has been tested and the lead concentrations were low. The OSC is currently investigating the impact of the contaminated sediment on the Schuylkill River. The OSC has directed an EPA contractor to determine if any public water intakes are down stream from the confluence of the creek and the river. People living near the creek are served by a community water system.
Blood Lead Testing
ATSDR is working with the EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Health officials in implementing a blood lead screening program to address exposure to lead waste in Hamburg. The agencies have begun notifying residents who live on properties in Hamburg where lead contamination has been detected. Residents are being advised to have children (6 months-to-6 years old) and pregnant women screened for blood lead levels where soil levels are > 400 ppm. The PADOH is providing the blood lead testing service to the residents.
Soil and sediment sampling results indicate that there is lead contamination present along Kearcher Creek. The contamination is extensive beginning downstream from the Field House site. Lead has been detected as high as 45,184 ppm in soil adjacent to the creek, and as high as 62,259 ppm in the creek sediment. The most likely source of the lead contamination are the crushed battery casings that have been used as backfill in the creek and creek bank.
The stream is accessible to nearby populations. In some locations the stream flows within a few feet of residential properties. Given the close proximity of the stream to residential areas, there is a strong likelihood for human contact with the lead contamination. Exposure to lead at the site is likely to occur from incidental ingestion and/or inhalation of contaminated soil or sediment. Contaminated soil can also be tracked into the home on shoes, clothing, and pets exposing other family members.
The EPA OSC is currently investigating whether flooding has occurred. It is not known if the creek has flooded. If flooding of the creek occurs, the contaminated sediment and soil may spread to adjoining areas increasing the likelihood of exposure.
The foremost concern at this site are populations sensitive to the deleterious effects of lead. Sensitive populations include young children (0-to-6 years old) and developing fetuses. Their developing nervous systems are particularly susceptible to the toxic properties of lead. Factors accounting for this susceptibility include the following: 1) the blood-brain barrier is incompletely developed in the fetus, which allows entry of lead into the immature nervous system, 2) hand-to-mouth behavior and pica behavior (ingestion of non-food items such as soil), which leads to consumption of lead-contaminated media, 3) enhanced gastrointestinal absorption of lead (affected by the nutritional status of the child), 4) low body weight, and 5) the ready transfer of lead across the placenta to the developing fetus [3]. These factors put children exposed to lead at a much higher risk of developing adverse health effects than adolescents and adults.
There is evidence to suggest that lead poses a human health threat as concentrations approach 500 ppm in the soil. Studies have shown that blood lead levels in children may increase 2-to-3 micrograms per deciliter (µ/dl) for every 1,000 ppm lead in the soil. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that adverse health effects may occur at blood lead levels as low as 10 µg/dl in children [3]. At this site lead has been measured as high as 45,184 ppm in soil adjacent to the creek, and as high as 62,259 ppm in the creek sediment. Cleanup actions on residential properties are typically initiated as soil lead concentrations approach 400 to 500 ppm. Although exposure to the creek soil/sediment would occur on a less frequent basis than residential soil, the very high lead levels detected in the creek pose a health threat, and justify a cleanup action at this site.
Under current site-specific conditions of exposure, the lead contamination in the creek soil and sediment are likely to have an adverse impact on human health, particularly for young children (0-to-6 years old) and developing fetuses. Therefore, ATSDR has characterized this site as a Public Health Hazard requiring public health intervention.
ATSDR is coordinating with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) in conducting blood lead screening for area residents. In addition, health education activities are being provided to residents and county health professionals. These public health actions were initiated due to lead contamination on residential properties impacted by the Price Battery site. The residential areas adjacent to the creek also fall within the boundaries of the Price Battery site, and will be included in the blood lead screening and health education target group.
Prepared by
Timothy Walker, RSEH, CIH
Environmental Health Scientist
Exposure Investigation and Consultation Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Reviewed by
Susan Moore
Chief, Consultation Section
Exposure Investigation and Consultation Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Figure 1. Sampling Location Map
