PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
BRIO REFINING, INC.
AND
DIXIE OIL PROCESSOR, INC.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
CONCLUSIONS:
This site is of potential health concern because of the risk to human health resulting from possible exposure to hazardous substances at concentrations that may result n adverse health effects. As noted in the Human Exposure Pathways section above, human exposure to VOCs, PAHs, and metals may occur via ingestion, dermal absorption, and inhalation.
Public and private utilities provide drinking water to 99.9 percent of the homes within a one-mile radius of the Brio/DOP sites. The available information indicates that the shallow contaminated aquifers near the site are not normally used for potable purposes because of their low yield and the availability of municipal water in the area. There is currently no known use of contaminated groundwater for human consumption.
The available data for off-site contamination of air and surface soil from the Southbend Subdivision did not indicate that a significant health risk would be expected to result from contact with these environmental media. The contamination detected in sediment samples from Mud Gully south of Dixie Farm Road would not be expected to pose a health concern. No data on surface water contamination from this portion of the stream were available for assessment.
High concentrations of chemical wastes remain at the site. Inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion of these wastes could pose a potential health risk to on-site workers.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. General information indicated that an upward hydraulic gradient existed over much of the site. ATSDR believes that the current water level data set (three months) is inadequate to rule out downward migration of contamination. Monthly water level measurements collected for a minimum of one year would better determine vertical flow direction. A better data set may help determine vertical flow direction. A better data set may help determine if the hydraulic gradient is reversed during seasonal or cyclic events such as recharge events and droughts.
2. We recommend testing of soil from the barren area in the northwest corner of the Brio north site that adjoins the Southbend Subdivision property line to determine the cause of the vegetative stress.
3. Worker contact with the contaminated on-site soils should be minimized. If remedial activities involve the excavation of contaminated soils, workers should be provided with protective clothing and respirators in accordance with applicable OSHA regulations and OSHA and Niosh guidelines and advisories.
Optimal dust control procedures should be implemented to prevent the off-site migration of fugitive dusts. Potential remedial worker exposure should be minimized by prohibiting eating and smoking in contaminated areas and washing after contact with contaminated materials.
In accordance with CERCLA as amended, the Brio Refining, Inc,/Dixie Oil Processors NPL Site,
Houston, Texas have been evaluated for appropriate follow-up with respect to health effects
studies. Inasmuch as there is no extant documentation or indication in the information and data
reviewed for this Health Assessment that human exposure to on-site or off-site contaminants is
currently occurring or has occurred in the past, this site is not being considered for follow-up
health studies at this time. However, if data become available suggesting that human exposure to
significant levels of hazardous substances is currently occurring or has occurred in the past,
ATSDR will re-evaluate this site for any indicated follow-up.
| ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWER: | Donald Y. Joe, P.E. Environmental Health Engineer Environmental Engineering Branch |
| HEALTH EFFECTS REVIEWER: | Kenneth G. Orloff, Ph.D. Senior Toxicologist Health Sciences Branch |
| TYPIST: | Charlotta V. Gavin Clerk Typist Environmental Engineering Branch |
| REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE: | Carl R. Hickam Public Health Advisor Field Operations Branch Region VI |
1. IT Corporation, FINAL REPORT - SUMMARY REPORT, BRIO REFINING INC. AND DIXIE OIL PROCESSOR SITE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, IT Project No. 421167, (June 1987).
2. IT corporation, FINAL REPORT - ENDANGERMENT ASSESSMENT, RIO REFINING INC. AND DIXIE OIL PROCESSORS SITE, FRIENDSWOOD, TEXAS, IT PROJECT NO. 421167, (June 1987).
3. Sittig, M., HANDBOOK OF TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AND CARCINOGENS, 2nd edition, Park Ridge, NJ, Noyes publications, (1985).
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