NCD000770487_20020901_Johnson Controls Battery Group_FRBCERCLA RA_RD RA Engineering Evaulation Cost Analysis Community Relations-OCR

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Community Relations Plan for
Johnson Controls, Inc.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed a copy
of the Community Relations Plan for this Site in the Walkertown
Branch Library, 2969 Main Street, Walkertown, N.C. This report
contains:
• a summary of the Superfund Program;
• history and description of the Johnson Controls Battery Group
plant in Walkertown;
'• listing of citizens concerns;
'• objectives of the Community Relations Plan;
" a iisting of contacts;
• identification of possible meeting locations;
. • a glossary of frequently used EPA terms; and,
• health statements on the contaminants of concern at this facility.
'This report has been made available for public reading. If you have
iany questions about what this report says, please contact Diane Barrett,
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator in Atlanta, GA at 1-800-
:435_9233_
·.,,.
E:f/4,4
• :.-, .. ii \91 li
l i iii l! l! H ! l !
Region 4
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Diane Barrett, Community Involvement cq[Fo_ "?
North Site Management Branch .•-<(:tv~ )-.
Luis Flores, Remedial ProIect Manager \ IW'l-3'00 ',
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
S/F
MR. RANDY MCELVEEN, PROJECT MGR.
, SUPERFUND FEDERAL REMEDIATION'BR.
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
NC DEPT OF ENVR & NATURAL RESOURCES
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 150
RALEIGH NC 27605-1305
Site: Johnson Controls Site
27612iS-130S'
JOHN 28
r
'RECE:Jv:.
Nov 06 2000
SUPERFUND SECl;
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
,;
I. ' JOHNSON CONTROLS BATTERY GROUP, INC. Sl·TE
Walkertown, Forsyth County, North Carolina ·
P,EC-E\VED
DEC 6 2000
SUPERFUND SECTION
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
North Site Management Branch
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
September 2000
• • PREFACE
.•/
This Community Relations Plan for the Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc. Site,
Walkertown, North Carolina is a working document which serves as a guide for
' communicating with the affected community. The activities and schedules presented in
~ . this Plan will be revised as circumstances and community interestp }md concerns
change. The Plan outlines the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
. strategy for involving local officials and citizens in clean up decisions for this Site,and
will be used throughout the project's "non-time critical removal action" under the
Superfund Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA)process. The Plan also
provides answers to specific questions received from members of the community
during interviews conducted by EPA.
This Plan is divided into the following sections:
1. Overview of the Superfund EE/CA Program ·
2. Overview of the Community Relations Plan ' . 3. Site Background
4. Community Background
5. Public Issues and Concerns
6. Community Relations Objectives
7. Community Relations Techniques
8. Schedule of Activities
Appendix A contains a list of Federal, State, county and city government contacts,
environmental groups, news media, and interested parties. Appendix B lists the
location for the administrative record and information repository and suggested public
meeting locations. Appendix C is a glossary of terms/explanations used in the
Superfund program. Appendix D featurns the toxicological profiles of the major
contaminants of concern.·
• • TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Section
1.0
2.0
3.0
INTRODUCTION TO THE SUPERFUND AND EE/CA PROGRAMS
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
SITE BACKGROUND
3.1 Location and Description
3.2 Site History
3.3 Description of Contamination and Actions Taken
COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
4.1 City and County Profile
4.2 Community Profile
4.2 Chronology of Community Involvement .
PUBLIC ISSUES AND CONCERNS
COMMUNITY RELATIONS OBJECTIVES
COMMUNITY RELATIONS TECHNIQUES
APPENDIX A -List of Contacts and Interested Parties
APPENDIX B -Information Repository and Suggested Meeting Locations
APPENDIX C -Glossary
APPENDIX D -Toxicological Profiles of Contaminants of Concern
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17
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22
25
34
37
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SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION TO SUPERFUND
i: ' What is Superfund? In 1980 Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental . J, i
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, more commonly known as .'
Superfund). This act authorizes EPA to investigate and respond to releases of
hazardous substances that may endanger public health, welfare, and the environment.
The 1980 law set up a trust fund of $1.6 billion to pay for the investigations and clean
up of sites where parties responsible for the problems are unable or unwilling to clean
up the site. In October 1986, Congress amended and reauthorized the Superfund law
and also increased the size of the fund to approximately $8.5 billion. This amendment
is known as the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). For those
sites where the responsible party(ies) are able and willing to pay for and conduct the
steps to clean up the site, EPA is involved in the Superfund process in an enforcement
capacity to ensure the responsible party(ies) conduct the clean up as agreed. As of the
writing of this document in July 2000, the Superfund program has yet to be .
reauthorization by Congress to determine if the program will continue in force, increase .
or decrease funding and personnel, relinquish some of the authority of the program
over to t.he States, decide whether to continue using the current ranking system for .
sites or change the format, etc. In 1995 the taxing authority of the Superfund law
ceased along with the reauthorization and no more funds have been placed into the
trust which pays for clean up activities at sites where there is no viable party to pay for
. the clean up.
STANDARD SUPERFUND PROCESS
After a site is initially discovered, it is inspected, usually by the State: The State or !;PA"
then scores the site using a numerical ranking system known as the Hazard Ranking
System (HRS). The following criteria are used in this system to determine if a site is.of .. ___ ..
NPL caliber and should be added to the list of sites funded by Superfund which are on
the National Priorities List (NPL).
o possible health threats to the human population;
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c possible hazards/risks (e.g., from direct contact, inhalation, fir~ or expiosion)
created by the substances at the site;
o potential for the substances at the site to contaminate the air or drinking water
supplies; and
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" potential for the substances to the site to pollute or harm the environment.
The State usually requests that NPL caliber sites be investigated by EPA; however, EPA
may also initiate and carry out these procedures at sites .. Those sites with Hazard
Ranking System scores of 28.5 or greater are recommended for placement on the
National Priorities List (NPL). This step can take from six months to one year to
complete. The NPL is a roster of the some of the nation's worst hazardous waste sites
posing a threat to human health or the environment. Every site on the NPL qualifies for
Federal Superfund money.
If a site or any portion of a site poses an imminent threat to public health or the
environment at any time, EPA may conduct an emergency response referred to as an
"emergency removal." This consists of short-term immediate actions to remove and or
treat the substances creating the threat, i.e., response to "classical emergencies"
resulting from oil and hazardous substance spills and life threatening and
environmental emergencies such as fire and explosion at hazardous waste sites. EPA
has categorized removal actions in three ways: emergency, time-critical and non-time-
critical, based on the type of situation, the urgency and threat of the release or potential
release, and the subsequent time frame in which the action must be initiated.
Emergency and time-critical removal actions respond to releases requiring action
within six months to one year; non-time-critical removal actions respond to releases
requiring action that can start later than six months after the release. These type of
removal actions are taken by the Superfund Emergency Response and Removal Branch,
and in many cases precede the long-term remedial actions which are taken by the
Superfund Remedial Branch.
One of the first community relations actions EPA begins after starting to investigate a
site is to interview citizens in and around the site, city and county officials, any
concerned citizen groups, news media, and any other interested parties to determine
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the level of concern felt by the public. Through this method a mailir,g list is devel~ped
enabling us to keep citizens informed .. An information repository is. established either
in a nearby public library, town or city hall, or a facility that is accessible by the general
public. The information repository houses all of the documents developed about the
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site during the Superfund process which the Agency uses to select ~ remedy for ·
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treating/cleaning up site contamination. A Community Relations Plan is develope~
which presents the concerns expressed by the public regarding the site; the Plan also
outlines how the Agency will keep the public informed and involved during the lengthy
Superfund process. The Agency conducts a "kick-off" public meeting to inform the
public of the available information concerning the site, what activities will be occurring
next, give citizens an opportunity to meet EPA representatives, and provides us an
opportunity to respond to questions/concerns expressed by the public.
Next, EPA negotiates with the potentially responsible party(ies), where viable,
concerning who will pay for and conduct the Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility
Study (FS) portion of th_e process. RI/FS is then conducted by either the Potentially
Responsible Party or EPA. The RI is an extensive, detailed and in-depth
sampling/analysis of surface and subsurface soil, surface water and sediment,
groundwater, air and any other media that might be contaminated. The RI initially
. identifies types of contaminants present, estimated quantity of contamination present
in the various media, and the potential risks to human health and the environment.
Based upon the results from the RI, the FS investigates various technologies to
determine which one(s) would be able to treat the contamination. After both the RI and
FS have been completed a public meeting and a 30-day public comment period are held
to present results of both the RI/FS and receive public input concerning the Agency's
proposed plari of action. Following the comment period, a Record of Decision is
developed and signed announcing the long-term action-that has been selected to
treat/clean up the site.
Again, EPA negotiates with the Potentially Responsible Party(ies) where viable to
determine who will pay for and conduct the remaining phases of the Superfund program ---~ --
consisting of the Remedial Design, Remedial Action, and Operation & Maintenance.
Once negotiations have been settled, the Remedial Design of the selected treatment
method. can be prepared. After the design has been finalized and approved,
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construction of the treatment method can physically begin. This st~p is called the
Remedial Action (RA).
The time necessary to complete each of the steps varies with every site. In general,
' NPL listing can take between six to twelve months; an RI/FS takes fr1>m one to two
years depending upon the size of the site; negotiations can take fdu~ to six months,; the
remedial design can take six months to a year, depending upon how technical and,
intricate the treatment method; remedial action is physical construction of the treatment
method and implementation of the method which can take six months or two years or
longer, again this time frame depends upon many factors. Where contaminated
groundwater is concerned it may take decades to treat. Once operations are underway
the "Operation and Maintenance" phase will continue throughout the duration of the
treatment process. After the site has been cleaned up, it can then be delisted from the
NPL.
Ongoing community relations activities during the lengthy process include interviews,
public meetings, continual updated fact sheets, continual updating of mailing list,
newspaper notices, and other activities intended to keep citizens and officials informed
and involved and to encourage public input. These activities are scheduled throughout
the course of the remedial cleanup process. Specific activities vary from site to site
depending upon the level and nature of concern. The range of community relations
activities that can occur is described in this document. For easy access to this office
we have set up the 1-800-435-9233 telephone number to enable citizens to contact the
office at any time there is a question, concern or an incident or some questionable
action that needs to be reported.
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ENGINEERING EVALUATION/COST ANALYSIS (EE/CA)
For the Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc. Site the Agency will be implementing the
EE/CA approach to investigate lead and various chemical contamination at the Site. . ~ .
The diagram for the EE/CA process is featured following this sectiori outlining the
j. i
standard steps in the process. The following major steps are normal for non-time .,
critical removal actions:
o A "removal site evaluation" is conducted to identify the source and nature of the
release or threatened release of hazardous materials, and to assess the threat to
public health, the magnitude of the threat and the factors necessary to determine the
need for a removal action.
C11 An EE/CA (Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis) Approval Memorandum is prepared
by the Project Manager (Luis Flores) after the site evaluation has been completed.
This memorandum serves three functions:
1) secure EPA management approval and funding to conduct the EE/CA,
2) documents that the situation meets the National Contingency Plan criteria for .
initiating a removal action and that the proposed action is non-time-critical, and
3) it includes detailed information pertaining actual or threatened releases of
hazardous substances or pollutants from the site that may present an imminent
and/or substantial endangerment; general information pertaining to the site
background; threats to public health, welfare, or the environment posed by the site
which includes expected changes in the situation if no action is taken; enforcement
activities related to the site; and estimated project costs. This is a preliminary
document outlining the possibility/probability of contamination.
• . Conduct EE/CA investigation.
• Then the EE/CA report is prepared identifying the objectives of the removal action
and an analysis of the various alternatives that may be used to meet the objectives
for cost, effectiveness, and implementability. The EE/CA should provide definitive·
information on the locations of hazardous substances/contaminants; quantity,
volume, size or magnitude of the contamination; physical and chemical
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characteristics of the contaminants; and risks presented by the site; and various
alternatives available for treating the contaminants.
' o A public notice describing the EE/CA report and its availability to the public will be
published, and a 30-day public comment period must be held and !,ioticed in a major
I ' local newspaper. A public meeting will be held to present the results of the EE/C,A
investigation to the public, and to respond to questions. EPA will respond in writing
to comments received during the public comment period after the selection of the
response act is made.
" An Administrative Record file will be established for the public's use. The
Administrative Record is a file containing all documents developed during the
process which are used as the basis to select a response or treatment action. A
public notice will be published in the local newspapers informing citizens of its
availability.
o An Action Memorandum is prepared providing a concise, written record of the
decision for selecting the response action. This document along with others
developed during the process are placed in the Administrative Record in the
information repository for public viewing.
o A public notice of the Removal Action implementation will be provided prior to such
action being taken.
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I
EE/CA Develop•· ment Pro·cess• .. : .... ·· .. i ...... · ,.::/ -...... , .. ·: .. / ... : .. .": ........ ·:'··'· ... •··· .. / ... ,.~ .. ··" · .. :···/ : .... ::> · .. ' .•. : ..:: ... :;.•· j .. .: .. :,... ..:: .) '\ ...... ) ......... ·· .... ,, ..... , ....... /
· ie:~9ioe~t1iog evai~atjQl'lL~o$t ~a~~ls·).
1; i
EE/CA '
Identification
of Removal
Action
Objectives
Identification
and Analysis Public Response
of Removal ~ Comment to Action ---Memorandum Action Period ~. Comments --
Alternatives 30 days+
Comparative
Analysis of
Removal
Action
Alternatives .
Recommended
Removal
Action
Alternatives
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SECTION 2.0
OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
This Community Relations Plan (CRP) was finalized in September 2000 by the U. S:
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IV Community Involvement Coordir;iator
and Remedial Project Manager for this Site. It provides a brief history of the
Walkertown area, Site background information, and it describes specific issues of
community interest and concern related to the Johnson Control Battery Group, Inc. Site
off West Mountain Street in Walkertown, North Carolina. It also outlines the .comrriunity
relations activities that will be conducted by EPA throughout the Superfund EE/CA
process.
Preparation of a Community Relations Plan is,a required activity under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
(SARA). The federal program developed to carry out these laws is usually referred to as
the Superfund program. A part of Superfund program known as the community
relations program is outlined in this plan as it is applicable to this Site. The program
focuses on activities designed to keep citizens and officials informed of Site activities
and developments.
Information contained in this document was obtained from files maintained by EPA, the
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Forsyth County
officials, Walkertown City officials, Kernersville Chamber of Commerce, personnel from
Johnson Controls Battery Group, area residents, news media, and other citizens
interested in or effected by the Site. This Plan will be updated and revised/amended as · ..;.c~-. -. ";-. --
needed. The documents developed during the process for this Site will be housed in
the Walkertown Branch Library, 2969 Main Street, Walkertown, North Carolina 27051.
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3.1
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SECTION 3.0
SITE BACKGROUND
Site Description and Location
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-I : The 75 acre Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc. Site is located at 2701 West Mou_ntain
Road in the Walkertown jurisdiction, in eastern Forsyth County, approximately five,
miles west of Kernersville, North Carolina. [Coordinates 36°07'09" North Latitude;
80°09'40" West Longitude] The facility consists of a large manufacturing plant, a trailer
maintenance building, a battery storage facility, a concentrated acid storage and acid
mixing building, a wastewater pretreatment system, and offices. Asphalt parking
surfaces, bare soil, grass lawn, and woods comprise the soil cover around the facility.
A chain link fence encloses the manufacturing facility with access controlled by a
security guard. The majority of the surrounding property is heavily wooded. The
facility is located near the top of a small hill that slopes northwest toward Lowery Mill
Creek and west toward an unnamed tributary to Lowery Mill Creek both feeding into the·
S_alem Lake reservoir. There are three sedimentation basins on the northwest slope to
collect storm water runoff from the buildings and parking lots.
[Picture and Site map below and on next page]
t.llOHTGOMBIY WATSON
Att(!.nto., Georgia
JOHNSON CONTROLS
BATTERY GROUP, INC. SITE LOCATION MAP
WINSTON-5.IUM
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Robertson Ur
f
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3.2 Site History
The 75+ acres which is currently owned by Johnson Controls had been privately owned
by local residents whose ancestors settled in the area in the 1780's. \ The land was used
as pasture and farm land while portions remained wooded. The land' was purchased in
the early 1950s, timbered and subdivided for housing.· The housin6 Plan, however,,.
never materialized. McLean Trucking purchased and operated a trucking·facility on a
portion of the property for several years. In 1978 Johnson Controls constructed the
facility to manufacture, assemble and charge automobile batteries. By 1984, plant
production ranged from 6,000 to 11,000 batteries per day. Around 1992 the plant was
expanded to meet increased production demands of between 14,000 to 22,000 batteries
per day. Raw materials used in the production of batteries include pig lead, lead oxide,
barium sulphate, carbon black and sulfuric acid. In August 1980 the facility was placed
on the EPA CERCLIS list because of the use and storage of hazardous materials/
wastes. [The CERCLIS is a listing of any reported release by anyone of substances into
the environment.] The facility is currently listed as an EPA permitted RCRA large
quantity generator because of the hazardous ·waste streams generated resulting from
production of batteries.
Since 1980 the facility has generated and shipped off site hazardous waste streams
containing antimony, barium, lead and waste petroleum naphtha. Hazardous wastes
generated during operations at the plant consist of pasting conveyer belts, floor
sweeping compounds, fiber and plastic separators, waste paper toweling, wipe cloths,
cheese cloths, work gloves, whole HEPA filters, fabric bag filters, wastewater treatment
plant residue and wet scrubber sludge, These waste materials are stored in 55 gallon
drums and 10 mil polyethylene bags. The dry wastes are placed in containers and ·-·
stored prior to shipment to a smelter and wastewater treatment plant residue and wet
scrubber(rotoclone) sludge are placed in containers in a separate storage area pri<>r to.
shipment to a smelter. The treated waste water is either recycled back through the
operation or discharged to the City of Winston-Salem publicly owned treatment works
(POTW).
The Johnson Controls Battery Group are operating in conformance with State and
Federal requirements.
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3.3 Description of Contamination and Actions Taken To-Date
The facility generates hazardous waste streams containing antimony, barium, lead and,
waste petroleum naphtha. The facility was placed on CERCLIS in Au~ust 1980 after
filing a RCRA Part A Application with EPA. The facility is currentlyflikted as an RC~A
large quantity generator. The facility has also been issued a general storm water
management permit #NCG030224 by the State in August 1993. They were granted an
Industrial User Pre-treatment discharge permit #1044 by Forsyth County in October.
1978. The facility operates air emissions control equipment under air quality permit
#00725R8 issued by the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Office.
The facility reported to the State at least 13 small quantity unpermitted releases of
hazardous substances from the plant to on site soils or sedimentation basins since
1979. The facility also reported fugitive or stack air emissions of antimony, arsenic,
barium, barium compounds, carbon monoxide, hydrogen gas, lead, lead compounds,
nitrogen oxides, selenium, sulfuric acid and sulfur dioxide. Reported releases of
hazardous substances include:
1979 a 3,000 gallon spill of sulfuric acid on plant property which was neutralized,
dug up and shipped to a municipal iandfill.
1979 A release of lead oxide dust covering about one acre occurred which
changing filter bags from air ventilation. equipment (quantity unknown).
1981 -approximately 1,000 gallons of lead oxide and lead sulphate containing waste
water spilled into one of the sedimentation basins. Approximately 324 tcms
of lead contaminated soil was excavated from the basin and shipped to a
RCRA approved landfill in South Carolina.
1987 -250 pounds of lead released to surface water.
1988 · 100 pounds of lead released to surface water
1989 -250 pounds of lead released to surface water
1990 - 5 pounds of lead released to surface water
1991 - 5 pounds of lead released to surface water
1992 - 5 pounds of lead released to surface water
1993 - 5 pounds of lead released to surface water
1994 101 pounds of lead released to surface water
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1995 114 pounds of lead released to a surface impoundment. ·
1996 an unknown quantity of sulfuric acid leaked from a transfer line valve at the
plant.
In May 1984 the North Carolina Superfund Section conducted a Preliminary Assessr;nent
of the facility and recommended no further action. Additional investigations of the ,Site
for various purposes were conducted in September 1990, May 1991, and August 1997.
However, the latest analytical results demonstrate an observed release of lead from the
Site to surface water at levels that pose a threat to a nearby wetland ecosystem
downstream.
Though low levels of barium, copper, lead and manganese and zinc were identified in
the nearest residential well about 400 feet east of the Site, the levels of contaminants
did not exceed the EPA of State of North C:arolina groundwater standards, and are not
considered a health risk to residents.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) of 1980 (also known as Superfund] Sections 101,104,107, and 113 identifies
and describes those considered liable which are past and present owners, operators, .
manufacturers, transporters and suppliers of a site, plus the actions the Agency is
required by law to enact under CERCLA at a site. These people/businesses are termed
by the Agency as Potentially Responsible Parties or PRPs.
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SECTION 4.0
COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
4.1 City and County Profile
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' F ,;
In 1753, the Moravians acquired a tract of land, approximately 98,985!acres, called the
Wachovia Tract from the Lord Granville District. Two early Moravian setUements were
established and other settlements sprang up outside but near the Moravian Grant area.
The settlement in the Walkertown area was one of these. Pioneers and settlers of
English, Scotch-Irish, German and Highland-Scottish descent began moving into this
area in the 1750's and 60's.
The following received grants from the State of North Carolina: in 1779 Robert W.alker
received 500 acres and William Walker received 300 acres. In 1780 John Walker
received 500 acres; William Walker 300 acres; David Walker 300 acres; Robert Walker,
Jr. 600 acres . thus the beginning of the Walkertown area. Other recipients of land
whose names are familiar in the community are• Stockton, Campbell, Fulton, Van-Hoy,
Morris, Bowman, Pettiford, Stone, Tucker, Clemmons, Mecome, Crews, Sullivan,
Grubbs, Young, Idol, Whicker, Hammock, Jones, Jean Cooley and Love.
This area was finally designated a part of Forsyth County in 1849. Walkertown was
incorporated in August 1984 and officially became a town. Most of the history of
Walkertown between 1791 and 1984 is sketchy and word of mouth, some is supposition
and some is factual. Printed materials providing a complete picture of the history of
this area are not available. However, the Walkertown Bicentennial Committee has
compiled a historical record based upon information gathered from many sources
providing a colorful history of the area.
4.2 Community Profile and Environmental Concerns
The area around the Johnson Controls property is predominantly residential with a few ... -~: c.
businesses in a rural section of Forsyth County. Ancestors of a number of the
residents living in the area occupied the land beginning in the 1780's, and the land is
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still in the family today. There is a strong heritage in the communit'y/due to this
ancestry. Some statistics concerning people living in this area are as follows:
the median income for this area is $34,000; median home value is approximately
$68,000+; average number of people per household is three; ages o(citizens in this
. . . I,
area range between 19 and 64; livelihood for people in the community ranges from
working in manufacturing, retail sales, construction, finance, trans~drtation, and health . . '
services; racial makeup of the area is predominantly Caucasian.
4.3 Chronology of Community Involvement
There have been some community concerns that Johnson Controls has addressed
. directly. Other than those, no involvement by the public concerning the reason for
EPA's investigation because the problem was not known.
SECTION 5.0
PUBLIC ISSUES AND CONCERNS
The following issues were verbally stated during the EPA community interviews
conducted the week of July 10th and that were received in writing from printed
questionnaires distributed to citizens. Those interviewed included city and county
officials, approximately 20 residents around the Site, officials of Johnson Controls
Battery Group, Inc., area newspapers, State officials, and other citizens of the
Walkertown, Kernersville, Winston-Salem area. Concerns expressed by citizens were_:.
1. Bad smell in the air from the Site, so bad sometimes cannot breath.
2. Have the contaminants from the Site in the soil and air impacted their health?
3. Often wake up in morning and find a white powdery substance on vehicles. Is this
lead oxide or what?
4. Plant operations (exhaust fans?) have been very noisy at night in the past.
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5. Area is rapidly becoming more industrial with more housing, pfobable run-off
problems and drainage in this area would become an issue. Since this area is
growing this growth will naturally create .some environmental problems that will
need to be addressed in the future.
I 'i
6. Is spring and creek water safe to drink? Can their animals be1irhpacted by·
drinking the water? Also, can animals be impacted by eating the grass and soil?
7. There is a light grey/black dust that is constantly getting into house and they are
concerned about the origin. [House is dusted and cleaned daily.]
8. Strange film has appeared on streams when water level is low. What is the cause?
9. Will this affect property values and ability to sell property?
10. Concerned that area is a watershed feeding into Salem Lake and if contamination
from the Site is getting into the lake.
11. What is being done with the sediment build up in the sedimentation ponds?
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SECTION 6.0 . /
COMMUNITY RELATIONS OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of the community relations program at the Johnsor Controls Battery
Group, Inc. Site is to provide an opportunity for the community to le~rn about and
/, ;
participate in the Superfund program and cleanup process and issues specific to t_he
Site. To be effective, the program should ensure· that communication between
residents in the. community and government agencies is kept open and informative.
Special attention should be direct_ed at keeping the community informed and involved
·during cleanup process. EPA can maintain this relationship by encouraging
community interest and involvement in the following ways:
o Identify.contacts within EPA and the North Carolina Department·of Environment &
Natural Resources as contact points for the public;
o Establish and maintain lines of communication with the public and establish
credibility in the affected community by being responsive to concerns and requests;
o Address community concerns regarding the contamination of groundwater and soil
and site-related health concerns;
o .Educate area residents about the Superfund program, procedures, policies, legal
requirements in general, what we can and cannot do, and about specific Site issues
in non-technical terms where possible;
'" Inform area residents, local officials, and the news media of all propose~ Site
activities; utilize the news media as a tool for keeping citizens informed;
o Solicit citizen input on response activities providing opp~rtunities for public
participation;
o Encourage and facilitate positive interaction among government agencies, public -··· ··-..
officials, and concerned citizens by coordi_nating all activities with state, county, and
local officials;
20
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o Anticipate future information needs and potential shifts in levels j:>f concern
periodically reassessing the community's concerns and update this Community
Relations Plan, as necessary.
21
• •
SECTION 7 .0 . /
. COMMUNITY RELATIONS TECHNIQUES
The community relations activities included in this section are proposed as appropriate
I
and effective ways to meet the objectives described in the preceding' section. These
' ' '
techniques will ensure that statutory and regulatory requirements for community ..
relations are met, and will provide opportunities for the community to participate in,
decisions related to how any contamination found at the Site will be cleaned up. EPA
will implement a community relations program designed to involve local officials,
residents, the media, and environmental groups during the Superfund process. A
detailed discussion of EPA's approach and the specific techniques to be used in the
community relations program for the Site follows:
1. Establish a repository near the Site in the City of Walkertown to house the
Administrative Record and the Information Repository to ensure that accurate,
understandable information is available to interested citizens. The Administrative
Record serves as the official file documenting EPA's remedy selection and includes
all data, reports, correspondence, and documents relevant to the clean up decision. ·
The Administrative Record will be compiled at the initiation of the Engineering
Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) remedial investigation, possible treatment or
response actions, and will contain work plans of proposed response activities, Risk
Assessment, Action Memorandum and other pertinent documents. The
Administrative Record will be updated as information becomes available to ensure
that documents are available to the public throughout the entire Superfund process.
The Information Repository will contain information that is not crucial to the
selection of a remedy for the Site. The materials in this file will consist of fact
sheets, press releases, news articles, literature on vc,1rious contaminants of concern, ,
literature on the Superfund process, and any other literature that will assist the
public in a better understanding of the Superfund program. Both of these files will
be placed in the reference section of the library to allow for public reading.
2. Meet with local officials (city and county) and involve them in the process at
appropriate points in the study and remedy selection process. Maintain phone
contact as needed to ensure that they are kept informed and that EPA is kept current
22
• •
on activities relevant to the Site or interest in the Site. AppropriaJe timing for
contacts would be the completion of the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis, at
the end of the first phase of sampling and .analysis, completion of the investigation
report, completion of the draft of the possible treatment alternatives, when the
Ii response action has been selected, completion of the design/actipn work plan, and
upon completion of the design and initiation of the remedial act/oh itself. EPA
should brief local officials prior to any public meetings.
3. Establish Agency contacts to provide acc·urate and timely response to questions
from citizens, local officials, the news media, and to provide a mechanism for
monitoring changes in the level of community interest and concern. These contact
people can provide information to residents during the EE/CA activities ensuring
that contacts are always responsive to public concerns. The Remedial Project
Manager and/or Community Involvement Coordinator for the Site will visit the
community as often as possible;
4 Develop a mailing list of citizens around the Site, local government officials, media
contacts, Johnson Controls personnel, and all other interested parties.
5. Conduct open, informal meetings or availability sessions or information workshops
with the public, as needed, for the initiation of field work and at the completion of the
investigation. In addition, EPA should afford frequent opportunities for the
community to ask questions and have issues explained or clarified for them. EPA
should involve state and local officials in meetings and appropriate agency officials
in addition to the Remedial Project Manager and the Community Involvement
Coordinator.
6. Prepare periodic fact sheets to inform the community of findings, progress, and
future activities at critical points in the EE/CA process. These fact sheets should be
designed to ensure that the public is provided with clear, easy-to-understand
information on all activities at the Johnson Controls Battery Group, Inc. Site. Fact
sheets should reiterate opportunities for the community to participate in the
process, where applicable through the availability of Community Advisory Group
(CAGs) and Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) which are discussed in Appendix C
23
• •
of this Plan. Maintain a mailing list to ensure that all interested parties have an
opportunity to obtain this information.
7. Public notices in local newspapers and provide public service announcements to ' .
local media to ensure that all interested parti~s have an opportun\ty to learn about
EPA activities at the Site.-Appropriate items or events for publid notification include
public meetings, availability sessions, work shops, announcement of EPA's
proposed action, selection of a remedy, and any explanations of significant
differences after a Action Memorandum has been issued. All notices should
reference repository locations and opportunities for p_ublic invol_vement.
8. Provide news releases to local media, through newspapers, television, and major
radio stations in the area, to ensure that information is disseminated to the public.
9. Hold a public meeting to explain the findings from the investigation and the
preferred cleanup alternative as well as EPA's rationale for the choice, to answer
concerns and clarify issues, and to accept oral or written comments on the· ·
proposed action.
10. Assist in the preparation of the Responsiveness Summary to accompany the Action
Memorandum which thoroughly addresses each significant public comment and
community concern and explains how EPA considered the comments/concerns in its
remedy selection. The summary will be made available to the public in the
information repository.
11.Review this Community Relations Plan periodically, particularly at the beginning of . .
the design stage of the clean up process, to determine if revision is necessary and
to ensure the continued effectiveness of the community relations program in
addressing community concerns and EPA public relations activities.
24
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/,
APPENDIX A ·
LIST OF CONTACTS AND INTERESTED PARTIES
25
•
APPENDIX A ' i /
LIST OF PUBLIC CONTACTS AND INTERESTED PARTIES
A. FEDERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
U.S. Senator Jesse A. Helms
Washington Office:
SD-403 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3301
District Office:
310 new Bern Avenue, #122
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1441
U.S. Senator John Edwards
Washington Office:
825 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3305
District Office:
314 Post Office Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
U.S. Representative Richard Burr
Washington Office:
1513 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3305
District 5 Office:
2000 West First Street
Piedmont Plaza, Suite 508 .
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104-4225
U.S. Representative Melvin Watt
Washington Office
1230 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515-3312
District 12 Office
8 West 3rd Street, Suite 100
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
26
/,
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone].
[phone]. . . .
•
8. STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS
Governor James 8. Hunt, Jr.
State Capital Building
116 Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
Lt. Governor Dennis Wicker
Legislative Office Building
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601
NC State Senator Ham Horton
State Legislative Building, Room 1406
Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2808
District 20 Office:
328 North Spring Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101-5039
NC State Senator Linda Garrou
Legislative Office Building, Room 522
Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2808
District 20 Office:
3910 Camerille Farm Road, P. 0. Box 1843
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106
NC State Representative Michael Decker
State Legislative Building, Room 2121
Jones Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2808
District 84 Office:
P. 0. Box 141
Walkertown, North Carolina 27051-0141
NC State Representative Theresa H. Esposito
Legislative Office Building, Room 634
Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2808
District 88 Office
207 Stanaford Road
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27104-2721
27
•
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
(919) 7335-2530
[phone]
•
C. FORSYTH COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mr. Graham W. Pervier, County Manager
Forsyth County
Hall of Justice, Room.700
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Mr. Ronald Graham, Deputy County Manager
Forsyth County
Hall of Justice, Room 700
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101
Mr. Dave Plyler, Vice Chairman '
Forsyth County Commissioner
2112 Harmon Lane
Kernersville, North Carolina 27284
Mr; Richard V. Linville
Forsyth County Commissioner
6321 Vance Road
Kernersville, North Carolina 27284
•
. I '
[phone]
' [phone]
[phone]
[phone] .
Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Dept. · [phone]
537 N. Spruce Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101-1362
Mr. Bob Fulp, Director
Mr. Peter Lloyd, Manager, Air Quality Permits, Field Services/Technical Evaluation
Division
Mr. Bob Ragland, Manager, Water Quality Division
Mr. Van Sullivan, Environmental Scientist
Mr. Rob Russ, Environmental Scientist
Mr. Larry Bunn
Forsyth County Health Department .
P. 0. Box 686
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27102
D. LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS
Mr. Tom Southern, Walkertown Mayor
P. 0. Box 39
2735 Old Hollow Road
Walkertown, North Carolina 27051-0039
28
[phone]
[phone].
•
Mr. Steve Hamilton, Walkertown Town Manager
P. 0. Box 39
2735 Old Hollow Road
Walkertown, North Carolina 27051-0039
Walkertown City Council Members:
Dorothy Duggins
Wallace Larrimore
John Tingen
Horace Warner
Mr. Larry F. Brown, Kernersville Mayor
P. 0. Box 728
134 East Mountain Street
Kernersville, North Carolina 27285-0728
Mr. Randy E. Mccaslin, Kernersville Town Manager
P. 0. Box 728
134 East Mountain Street
Kernersville, North Carolina 27285-0728
Kernersville Board of Aldermen:
Inez A. Davis
B. J. Ellender·
. Brian Green
J. Irving Neal
Curtis Swisher
E. STATE AGENCIES·
Mr. William Meyer, Director
Division of Waste Management
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
401 Oberlin Road, Suite 150
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1350
Mr. Michael Kelly, Deputy Director
Division of Waste Management
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
401 Oberlin Road, Suite 150
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1350
29
•
·. / [phone]
I
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
(919) 733-4.996
• •
Mr. Randy McElveen, Project Manager . / [phone]
Superfund Section, Solid Waste Management Division
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
401 Oberlin Road, Suite 150
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1350
Jack Butler, Chief, Superfund Section 1 (919) 733-280)
Division of Waste Management
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
401 Oberlin Road, Suite 150
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605-1350
Mr. Grover Nicholson, Branch Head [phone]
Superfund Federal Remediation Branch
Division of Waste Management
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
401 Oberiin Road, Suite 150
Raleigh, North Carolina 27605~1350
Mr. Don Reuter, Director (919) 715:4112
Office of Public Affairs
NC Department of Environment & Natural_ Resources
512 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604
Mr. Preston Howard, Director
. Division of Water Quality
-· NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
401 Oberlin Street, Suite 150
Raleigh, _North Carolina 27605-1350
Regional Manager
NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources
58_5 Waughtown Street
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27107-2275
30
[phone]
[phone]
• •
F. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OFFICIALS ' J
Mr. Luis Flores, Remedial Project Manager
Mr. Phil Vorsatz, Chief, North Carolina Section
North Site Management Branch
1-800-435~9233, ext. 28807
1-800-435-9233, ext. 28789
FAX #(404) .562-8788
Waste Management Division
U.S.E.P.A., Region IV
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Ms. Diane Barrett, Community Involvement Coordinator
Customer Service Branch, Waste Management Division
U.S.E.P.A., Region 4
David Clay, Attorney
Office of Regional Counsel
U.S.E.P.A., Region 4
Mr. Bob Safay
Public Health Advisors
I l ,.. ;
1-800-435-9233, ext. 28489
FAX #[phone]
[phone], ext. 2277
[phone]
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
c/o U.S.E.P.A., Region 4
Mr. Dick Green, Division Director
Waste Management Division
U.S.E.P.A., Region 4
Ms. Jewell Harper, Deputy Division Director
Waste Management Division
U.S.E.P.A., Region 4
31
[phone]
[phone]
•
G. MEDIA ; .f . I
Newspapers
The Kernersville News
300 E. Mountain St, P.O. Box 337 ·
Kernersville, North Carolina 27284
· Prints: Thursday
Phone: [phone]
FAX# [phone]
Winston-Salem:
WAAA-AM -980
WAKE-FM -89.5
WBFJ-AM -1550
WBFJ-FM -89.3
WFDD-FM -88.5
WPOL-AM -1340
WSJS-AM -600
WT QR-FM -104.1
WSMX-AM. -1500
WSNC-FM -90.5
WTOB-AM -1380
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
Winston-Salem Journal
416 N. Marshall St., P. 0. Box 3159 . .
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Prints: Daily 1 : ·
Phone: [phone]
FAX# [phone]
· News & Record
Radio
200 E. Market St., P.O. Box 20848
Greensboro, North Carolina 27401-2910
Prints: Daily
Phone: [phone]
FAX# [phone]
Greensboro:
WJMH-FM -102.1
WKEW-AM -1400
WKRR-FM -92.3
WKSI-FM -98.7
WKZL-FM -107.5
WMQX-FM -93.1
WNAA-FM -90.1
WPET-AM -950
WQFS-FM -90.9
WQMG-AM -1510
WQMG-FM -97.1
WU AG-FM -103.1
[phone] .
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone] .
[phone]
[phone]
[phone] ·
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
Television
Winston-Salem:
WXII-TV -12 [phone]
32
Greensboro:
WBFX-TV-20
WFMY-TV-.2
WGPX-TV -16
. WUPN-TV -48
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
• •
/.
APPENDIX B
LOCATION OF INFORMATION REPOSITORY
AND SUGGESTED PUBLIC MEETING LOCATIONS
34
• •
LOCATION OF INFORMATION REPOSITORY /
AND SUGGESTED PUBLIC MEETING LOCATIONS
INFORMATION REPOSITORY SITES
Walkertown Branch Library ·
Forsyth County Public Library System
2969 Main Street
Walkertown, North Carolina 27051
ATTN: William Durham, Director
Hours: Monday -Wednesday: 9:00 am -9:00 pm
Thursday -Friday 9:00 am -6:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am -2:00 pm
EPA, Region IV Record Center
345 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30365
Hours Monday -Friday: 8:00 am -5:00 pm
POTENTIAL PUBLIC MEETING LOCATIONS
Walkertown Branch Library
Forsyth County Public Library System
2969 Main Street
Walkertown, North Carolina 27051
Contact: Branch Manager
/.
[phone]
[phone]
[phone]
. Specifics: Meeting room in library building will hold approximately 75 people, is
handicapped accessible; AudioNisual equipment and screen available in
library, call at least 4 weeks in advance to reserve meeting room, no charge for
use of facility. Will need to set up chairs, etc.
East Forsyth High School
2500 West Mountain Street
Kernersville, North Carolina 27284
Contact: Mr. Ed McDonald, Principal
Contact: · Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools
Box 2513
Winston-Salem, NC 27102-2513
[phone]
Specifics: School auditorium will hold approximately 500+, is handicapped accessible,
AudioNisual equipment and screen available at school, call at least 4 weeks in
advance to reserve facility, will need to call both the school and the school
35
• •
board to reserve and obtain permission to use a the auditorium -will need to
complete a rental agreement, there is a fee to use school facility.
Kernersville Branch Library
130 E. Mountain Street
Kernersville, North Carolina 27284
Contact: Branch Librarian
[phone]
J
Specifics Library meeting room can seat up to 44 people, is handicapped accessible,
AudioNisual equipment and screen available in library, call at least 3-4 weeks
in advance to reserve meeting room, no charge for use of facility. Will need to
complete a library rental agreement form.
36
•
APPENDIX C
GLOSSARY
37
•
• •
APPENDIX C -GLOSSARY ' /
This glossary defines terms often used by the U S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
when describing activities occurring in the Superfund process though not necessarily used in
this document. These definitions apply specifically _to the Superfund program and may have
other meanings when used in different circumstances. Underlined words\included in various
definitions are defined separately in the glossary.
Administrative Order on Consent (AOC): A legal agreement between EPA and potentially
responsible parties (PRPs) whereby PRPs agree to perform or pay the cost of a site cleanup.
The agreement describes actions to be taken at a site and may be subject to a public
comment period. Unlike a consent decree, an administrative order on consent does not have
to be approved by a judge.
Administrative Record: A file which is maintained and contains all information used by the
lead agency to make its decision on the selection of a response action under CERCLA. This
file is to be available for public review and a copy is to be established at or near the site,
usually at one of the information repositories. Also, a duplicate file is held in a central
location, such as a Regional or State office
Air Stripping: A treatment system that removes, or "strips," volatile organic compounds from
contaminated ground water or surface water by forcing an airstream through the water and
causing the compounds to evaporate.
Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs): The Federal and State
requirements that a selected remedy will attain. These requirements may vary among sites
and alternatives.
Aquifer: An underground rock formation composed of materials such as sand, soil, or gravel
that can store and supply ground water to wells and springs. Most aquifers used in the United
States are within a thousand feet of the earth's surface.
Baseline Risk Assessment: A means of estimating the amount of damage a Superfund site
could cause to human health and the environment. Objectives of a risk assessment are to: 1)
help determine the need for action; 2) help determine the levels of chemicals that can remain·
on the site and still protect health and the environment; and 3) provide a basis for comparing
different cleanup methods.
Bioaccumulative: Substances that increase in concentration in living organisms (that are
very slowly metabolized or excreted) as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated
water, or eat contaminated food.
Biodegradable: The ability to break down or decompose rapidly under natural conditions and
processes.
38
• •
Carbon Adsorption: Atreatment system where contaminants are remov~d from ground water
or surface water when the water is forced through tanks coritaining activated carbon, a
specially treated material that attracts the contaminants. ·
Carcinogen: Any substance that can cause or contribute to the production of cancer.
. . . ~ .
Chronic Toxicity: The capc1city of a substance to cause long-term poiso'nous human he,alth
effects.
Cleanup: Actions taken to deal with a release or threatened release of hazardous substances
that could affect public health and/or the environment. The term "cleanup" is often used
broadly to describe various response actions or phases of remedial responses such as the
remedial investigation/feasibility study.
Comment Period: A time period during which the public can review and comment on various
documents and EPA actions. For example, a comment period is provided when EPA
proposes to add sites to the National Priorities List (NPL). Also, a minimum 30-day comment
period is held to allow community members to review and comment on a draft RI/FS and
proposed plan. This comment period must be extended an additional 30 days upon timely
request. A comment period is also required to amend the Record of Decision (ROD).
Similarly, a 30 day comment period is provided when EPA proposes to delete a site.from the
NPL.
Community Relations (CR): EPA's program to establish two-way communication with the
public to create understanding of EPA programs and related actions, to assure public input
into decision-making processes related to affected communities, and to make certain that the
Agency hears, listens to and is responsive to public concerns .. Specific community relations
activities are required in relations to Superfund remedial actions.
Community Relations Plan (CRP): Formal plan for EPA community relations activities at a
Superfund site. The CRP is designed to ensure citizen opportunities for public involvement at
the site, determine those activities which will provide for such involvement, and allow citizens
the opportunity to learn about the site.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): A.
federal law passed by Congress in 1980 and modified in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act. The Acts created a special tax that goes into a Trust Fund,
commonly known as Superfund, to investigate and clean up abandoned or uncontrolled
hazardous waste sites. Under the program, EPA can either:
Pay for site cleanup when parties responsible for the contamination cannot be located or
are unwilling or unable to perform the work; or
Take legal action to force parties responsible for site contamination to clean up the site
or pay back the Federal government for the cost of the cleanup.
39
• •
Consent Decree (CD): A legal document, approved and issued by a judge, that formalizes an
agreement reached between EPA and potentially responsible parties (PRPs) where PRPs will
perform all or part of a Superfund site cleanup. The consent decree describes actions that
PRPs are required to perform and is subject to a public comment period.
Contaminant: Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substar{ce or matter that has
an adverse affect on air, water or soil. ·
Cost-Effective Alternative: The cleanup alternative selected for a site on the National
Priorities List based on technical feasibility, permanence, reliability, and cost. The selected
alternative does not require EPA to choose the least expensive alternative. It requires that if
there are several cleanup alternatives available that deal effectively with the problems at a
site, EPA must choose the remedy on the basis of permanence, reliability, and cost
Cost Recovery: A legal process where potentially responsible parties can be required to pay
back the Federal government for money it spends on any cleanup actions.
Criteria Descriptive factors taken into account by EPA in setting standards for various
pollutants. These factors are used to determine limits on allowable concentration levels, and
to limit the number of violations per year. When issued by EPA, the criteria provide guidance
to the states on how to establish their standards.
Down gradient: The direction that groundwater flows, similar in concept to 'downstream' for
surface water, such as a river.
Effluent: Treated or untreated waste-water which flows from a treatment plant, sewer, or
industrial outfall. Generally refers to wastes discharged into surface waters.
Emergency: Those releases or threats of releases requiring initiation of on-site activity within
hours of the lead agency's determination that a removal action is appropriate.
Enforcement: EPA's efforts, through legal action if necessary, to force potentially responsible
parties to perform or pay for a Superfund site cleanup.
Environmental Response Team (ERT): EPA hazardous waste experts who provide 24-hour
technical assistance to EPA Regional Offices and States during all types of emergencies
involving releases at hazardous waste sites and spills of hazardous substances.
Explanation of Differences: After adoption of a final remedial action plan, if any remedial
action is taken, or any enforcement action under Section 106 is taken, or if any settlement or __
consent decree under Sections 106 or 122 is entered into, and if such action, settlement, or
decree differs in any significant respects from the final plan, the lead agency is required to
publish an explanation of the significant differences and the reasons the changes were made.
40
• •
Feasibility Study (FS): See Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study . /
Ground-Water: The supply of fresh water found beneath the earth's surface that fills pores
between materials such as sand, soil, or gravel In aquifers, ground water occurs in sufficient ·
quantities that it can be used for drinking water, irrigation and other purpqses. ,.
·\
Hazard Ranking System (HRS): A scoring system used to evaluate poiential relative risks to
public health and the environment from releases or threatened releases of hazardous ·
substances. EPA and States use the HRS to calculate a site score, from Oto 100, based on
the actual or potential release of hazardous substances from a site through air, surface water,
or ground water. This score (28.5 or higher) is the primary factor used to decide if a
hazardous waste site should be placed on the National Priorities List
Hazardous Substance: Any .material that poses a threat to public health and/or the
environment. Typical hazardous substances are materials that are toxic, corrosive, ignitable,
explosive, or chemically reactive.
Hydrology: The science dealing with the properties, movement, and effects of water found on
the earth's surface, in the soil and rocks below, and in the atmosphere .
. Incineration: Burning of certain types of sold, liquid, or gaseous materials under controlled
conditions to destroy hazardous waste.
•
Information Repository: A file containing current information; technical reports, reference
documents, and TAG application information regarding a Superfund site. The information
repository is usually located in a public building that is convenient for local residents --such
as a public school, city hall, or library .
' Inorganic Chemicals: Chemical substances of mineral origin, not of basically carbon
structure.
In-situ: Means to keep in place, treatment conducted in its original place; ex-situ is removal
from place of origin.
Leachate: A contaminated liquid resulting when water percolates, or trickles, through waste
materials and collects components of those wastes. Leaching may occur at landfills and may
result in hazardous substances entering soil, surface water, or ground water.
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCLs): The maximum permissible level of a contaminant for
human consumption in water delivered to any user of a public water system. MCLs are
enforceable standards.
Mercury: A heavy metal that can accumulate in the environment and is highly toxic if
breathed or swallowed. A member of the "heavy metals" elements grouping with high atomic
41
• •
weights They can damage living things at low concentrations and tend to' accumulate in the
food chain.
Monitoring Wells: Special wells drilled at specific· locations on or off a hazardous waste site
where ground water can be sampled at selected depths and studied to determine such things
as the direction in which ground water flows and the types and amounts o(contaminants are
i. I present.
' National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP): The Federal
regulation that guides determination of the sites to be corrected under the Superfund program
and the program to prevent or control spills into surface waters or other portions of the
environment. The NCP was r-evised in February 1990.
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES): A provision of the Clean
Water Act which prohibits the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States unless a
special permit is issued by EPA, a state or (where delegated) a tribal government on an Indian
reservation allowing a controlled discharge of liquid after it has undergone treatment.
National Priorities List (NPL): EPA's list of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned
hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term remedial response using money from
the Trust Fund. The list is based primarily on the score a site receives on the Hazard Ranking
System (HRS). EPA is required to update the NPL at least once a year.
National Response Center (NRC): The center operated by the U.S. Coast Guard that
receives and evaluates reports of oil and hazardous substance releases into the environment
and notifies the appropriate agency(ies) The NRG can be contacted 24-hours a day, toll-free
at [phone].
Operable Unit: An action taken as one part of an overall site cleanup. For example, a carbon
absorption system could be installed to halt rapidly spreading groundwater contaminants while
a more comprehensive and long-term remedial investigation/feasibility study is underway. A
number of operable units can be used in the course of a site cleanup.
Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Activities conducted at-a site after a response action
occurs, to ensure that the cleanup or containment system is functioning properly.
Parts Per Billion (ppb)/Parts per Million (ppm): Units commonly used to express low
concentrations of contaminants. For example, 1 ounce of trichloroethylene (TCE) in 1 million
ounces of water is 1 ppm; 1 ounce of TCE in 1 billion ounces of water is 1 ppb. If one drop of
TCE is mixed in a competition-size swimming pool, the water will contain about 1 ppb of TCE.
Permeability: The capacity of rock or soil to transmit a fluid, usually water in specified
directions.
42
• •
Plume: A visible or measurable discharge of a contaminant from a given;point of.origin; can
be visible or thermal in water, or visible in the air as, for example, a plume of smoke. A three
dimensional zone within the groundwater that contains contaminants and generally moves in
the direction of, and with groundwater flow.
Potentially Responsible Party (PRP): An individual(s) or company(ies) (such as owners,
operators, transporters, or generators of hazardous waste) potentially responsible for, or
contributing to, the contamination problems at a Superfund site. Whenever possible, EPA
requires PRPs, through administrative and legal actions, to clean up hazardous waste ·sites
they have contaminated.
Preliminary Assessment: The process of collecting and reviewing available information
about a known or suspected hazardous waste site or release. EPA or States use this
information to determine if the site requires further study. If further study is needed, a site
inspection is undertaken.
Presumptive Remedy: Preferred treatment technologies for common categories of sites,
based on historical patterns of remedy(ies) selected and EPA's scientific and engineering
evaluation of performance data on technology implementation, and has determined that a
particular remedy, or set of remedies, is presumptively the most appropriate for addressing
site-specific circumstances. The presumptive remedy approach is one tool to accelerate the
Superfund cleanup process being used within the Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model
(SACM)
Proposed Plan: A public participation requirement of SARA in which EPA summarizes for the
public the preferred cleanup strategy, the rationale for the preference, reviews the alternatives·
presented in the detailed analysis of the remedial investigation/feasibility study. and presents
any waivers to cleanup standards of §121 (d)(4) which may be proposed. This may be
prepared either as a fact sheet or as a separate document. In either case, it must actively
solicit public review and comment on all alternatives under Agency consideration.
Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW): A waste-treatment works owned by a state, unit
of local government, or Indian tribe, usually designed to treat domestic wastewaters.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC): A system of procedures, checks, audits, and
corrective actions used to ensure that field work and laboratory analysis during the
investigation and cleanup of Superfund sites meet established standards.
Reasonable Maximum Exposure: Calculation of the highest exposure to all contaminants at
a site that an individual would be expected to receive under current and future land-use
conditions.
Recharge: The processes by which water is absorbed and is added to the zone of saturation . . .
in soil/sediment, either directly into a formation, or indirectly by way of another formation.
43
• •
Record of Decision (ROD): A public document that explains which cleariup alternative(s) will
be used at National Priorities List sites. The Record of Decision is based on information and
technical analysis generated during the remedial investigation/feasibility study and
consideration of public comments and community concerns.
Regional Response Team (RRT): Representatives of Federal, State, an8 local agencies who
may assist in coordination of activities at the request of the On-Scene Coordinator or
Remedial Project Manager before and during response actions.
Remedial Action (RA): The actual construction or implementation phase that follows the
remedial design of the selected cleanup alternative at a site on the National Priorities List.
Remedial Design (RD): Ari engineering phase that follows the Record of Decision when
technical drawings and specifications are developed for the subsequent remedial action at a
site on the National Priorities List.
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study: Extensive, in-depth, investigative and analytical
studies usually performed at the same time in an interactive, iterative process, and together
referred to as the "RI/FS." This document contains an assessment of actual and potential risks
posed by the site. They are intended to:
Gather the data necessary to determine the type and extent of contamination at a
Superfund site;
Establish criteria for cleaning up the site;
Identify and screen cleanup alternatives for remedial action; and
Analyze in detail the technology and costs of the alternatives.
Remedial Project Manager (RPM): The EPA or State official responsible for overseeing the
long-term remedial response activities.
Remedial Response: A long-term action that stops or substantially reduces a release or
threatened release of hazardous substances that is serious, but does not pose an immediate
threat to public health and/or the environment.
Removal Action: An immediate action taken over the short-_term to address a release or
threatened release of hazardous substances.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): A Federal law that established a
regulatory system to track hazardous substances from the time of generation to disposal. The
law requires safe and secure procedures to be used in treating, transporting, storing, and
disposing of hazardous substances. RCRA is designed to prevent new, uncontrolled
hazardous waste sites.
Response Action: A CERCLA-authorized action at a Superfund site involving either a
short-term removal action or a long-term remedial response that may include, but is not limited
44
• •
to, the following activities:
Removing hazardous materials from a site to an EPA-approved, licensed hazardous
waste facility for treatment, containment, or destruction.
Containing the waste safely on-site to eliminate further problems.
Destroying or treating the waste on-site using incineration or other tii:chnologies.
Identifying and removing the.source of ground water contamination and halting further
movement of the contaminants.
Responsiveness Summary: A summary of oral and/or written public comments received by
EPA during a comment period on key EPA documents, and EPA's responses to those
comments. The responsiveness summary is a key part of the Record of Decision, highlighting
community concerns for EPA decision-makers.
Risk Assessment: Estimating the degree of harm people will face if exposed to a particular
level or quantity of a substance.
Sediment: The sand or mud found at the bottom and sides of bodies of water, such as
creeks, rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and swamps. Sediments typically consist of soil, clay,
silt, plant matter, and sometimes gravel. ·
Site Inspection (SI): The collection of information from a Superfund site to determine the
extent and severity of hazards posed by the site. It follows and is more extensive than a
preliminary assessment. The information is used to score the site wi\h the Hazard Ranking
System to determine whether response action is needed.
Solvents: Liquids capable of dissolving other liquids or solids to forma solution. The chief
uses of industrial solvents are as cleaners and degreasers. Many solvents are flammable and
· toxic to varying degrees.
Superfund: The program operated under the legislative authority of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also referred to as the
Trust Fund, to carry out the EPA solid waste emergency removal and long-term remedial .
activities.
Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model (SACM): A program developed by EPA to
streamline and speed up the cleanup process of hazardous waste sites. It is designed to
decrease the number of years to treat contamination as well as get the cleanup process
started more quickly.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): Modifications to CERCLA
enacted on October 17, 1986. · · · ·
Surface Water: Bodies of water that are above ground, such as rivers, lakes, and streams.
45
• •
Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program: A grant program that pro0ides funds for
qualified citizens' groups to hire independent technical advisors to help them understand and
comment on technical documents and provide the Agency with input on decisions relating to
Superfund cleanup actions at the site.
Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSO Facility): Any building') structure, or
installation where a hazardous substance has been treated, stored, or disposed. TSO _
facilities are regulated by EPA and States under the Resource Conservation and Recovery
~-. '
Volatile Organic Compound: A group of chemical compounds composed primarily of carbon
and hydrogen that are characterized by their tendency to evaporate (or volatilize) into the air
from water or soil. VOCs are substances that are contained in common solvents and cleaning
fluids Some VOCs are know to cause cancer.
Water Quality Criteria: Specific levels of water quality which, if reached, are expected to
render a body of water suitable for its designated use. The criteria are based on specific
levels of pollutants that would make water harmful if used for drinking, swimming, farming, fish
production or industrial processes.
Water Table: The level below which the soil or rock is saturated with water, sometimes
referred to as the upper surface of the saturated zone. ·
46
•
\
APPENDIX D . ·.
TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILES OF
CONTAMINANTS OF CONCERN
47
\ • •
ATSDR ' . )
Public Health Statement
/. Arsenic -------
What is arsenic?
Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the earth's crust. Pure arsenic
is a gray-colored metal, but this form is not common in the environment.
Rather, arsenic is usually found combined with one or more other elements
such as oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. Arsenic combined with these
elements is referred to as inorganic arsenic, whereas arsenic combined with
carbon and hydrogen is referred to as organic arsenic. Many arsenic~
containing substances, both inorganic and organic, are naturally occurring,
while others are man-made. It is important to maintain a distinction between
inorganic and organic arsenic, since the organic forms are usually less toxic
than the inorganic forms.
How might I be exposed to arsenic? ..
March 1989
Arsenic is very widely distributed in the environment, and all humans are •
exposed to low levels of this element. For most people, food constitutes the ·
largest source of arsenic intake (about 25 to 50 micrograms per day-a
microgram is one millionth of a gram), with lower amounts coming from .
drinking water and air. Some edible fish and shellfish contain elevated · ·"-.-'
levels of arsenic, but this is predominantly in an organic form ("fish arsenic")
that has low toxicity. Above-average levels of exposure are usually'_~---~-~--
associated with one or more of the following situations: .... __ _ __ _::..:,=--
o Natural mineral deposits in some geographic areas contain large ,~ _ _;,:_,2:c,
quantities of arsenic, and this may result in elevated level_s gf.inorg~nic".~~~;(
arsenic in water .. If this water is used for drinking, high expo~ures miii,;;;;;_;
result. · -· ··· ·
-·-·'-.:-t:-: ·~-__ .· __ :r:::.::.,<_
o Some waste-chemical disposal sites contain large quantities .of ar, •-'";;';:"<:c
senic, although the chemical form (inorganic or organic) is)oiieri ~-::~\='.·
unknown. If the material is not properly stored or contained at th~ site/~-:i:}S
. arsenic may escape into the water, increasing the chances .that __ ::'::~~-
nearby residents might be exposed. : · · ·:: :.:t~ge,c ·--· :_ -_ ::~ -·: :~·0\~it\i
• •
i . . I . . o Elevated levels of arsenic in soil (due either to natural mineral deposits or to contamination from human activities) may lead to exposure from ingesting soil.· This is of particular concern to'r small children who swallow small amounts of soil while playing. ,
. . . : -: . ~ . -. . _.-.......... ;_ o Manufacturing (smelting) of copper and other met?tls often releases inorganic arsenic into the air. Thus, workers in metal smelters and nearby residents are exposed to elevated arsenic levels.
o Low levels of arsenic are found in most fossil fu'els {oil, coal, gasoline, . and wood), so burning of these materials (in powerstations,'furnaces,
stoves, automobiles, etc.) results in low levels of inorganic arsenic emissions into the air. There are also low levels of arsenic in cigarette smoke.
o The main use of arsenic in this country is for pesticides. Some products, mostly weed killers, use organic arsenic as the active ingredient. Other pesticides use. inorganic forms of arsenic to kill plants, insects, or rodents, or to preserve wood.· Persons who manufacture or use these pesticides or who handle treated wood may be exposed to arsenic if adequate safety procedures are notfoUowed. _ · Widespread application of pesticides (e,g., in orchards and fields and. along roadways) may lead to water or soil contamination, crnating the possibility for more widespread exposure of resitjents in the area.
o In the past, inorganic arsenic was contained in household products·
such as paints, dyes, and rat poisons, and in medicines to~ diseases
such as asthma and psoriasis. However, these products are no longer in general use; therefore, exposure from these sources is now unlikely. -.. -. -..... _ .. ----•--·-· I -·,· ·-··f
How does arsenic get into my body?
----·------···--·-···· ! -•• -__ ·::··:~:~.-~-;:;::-_ --~~·· -':: .• • -· .·-;--. --, -~ 'i .' b' ·' ·. · · ··Ar~i'enic enters the body principally through the mouth, either in f6od ·or i~ . , .. --... ; .. G .. ·.• : ::>. water: Mosfirigested arse'riic is tjuicklYabsorbed through the stomach and'c:...c· ' ·'.:: .. ' intestines and enters the bloodstream, although this varies somewhat for• ___ i different chemical forms of arsenic. Arsenic which is· inh.aled is also well-. :.,.,:::c,__ ' . ~-i . : absorbed through the lungs into the blood stream. Small amounts of arsenic: .. . ,
~-_· _ _ :%i~~t:;:ii~~ ~o~~ _throu?ht~-e skin, but this is not usually an i~portant ---.• -"
Most arsenic that is absorbed into the body is converted bytheliverto a less-: .. ·=::::·.• •. :·.,=: . toxic form that is efficiently excreted in the urine: Corisequently;arsenic:~::i~(:.i --does not have a strong tendency to accumulate in the body except at high :-c_-, · · · . exposure levels. . ... i ... ::::~ ::::·__ ·:.-... :~·:·-'-:. , I Arsenic -2
i
•
How can arsenic affect my health?
•
I i
Inorganic arsenic has been recognized as a human poison since ancient
times, and large doses cari produce death. Lower levels of exposure may
produce injury in a number of different body tissues or systems: these are
called "systemic" effects. When taken by mouth, 1a common effect is
irritation of the digestive tract, leading to pain, ria6sea, vomiting, qnd
diarrhea. Other effects typical of exposure by mouth include decrea~ed ·
production of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart function, blood
vessel damage, liver and/or kidney injury, and impaired nerve function
causing a "pins-and-needles" feeling in the feet and hands. There is
evidence from animal studies that high oral doses during pregnancy may
be damaging to the fetus, but this has not been well studied in humans.
Perhaps the single most characteristic systemic effect of oral exposure to
inorganic arsenic is a pattern of skin abnormalities including the appear-
ance of dark and light spots on the skin, and small "corns" on the palms,
soles, and trunk. While these skin changes are notconsidered to be a health
concern in their own right, some of the corns may ultimately progress to skin
cancer. In addition, arsenic ingestion has been reported to increas_e the risk
of cancer inside the body, especially in the liver, bladder, kidney, and lung:
Inhalation exposure to inorganic arsenic dusts or fumes sometimes pro-
duces the same types of systemic health effects produced by oral exposure. ·
However, this is not common, and the effects are usually mild. Of much
greater concern is the ability of inhaled arsenic to increase the risk of lung
cancer. This has been observed_rnostly in humans exJJosed to high levels
of airborne arsenic in or around smelters, but lower levels may increase lung -
cancer risk as well.
Direct dermal contact with arsenic compounds, frequently from inorganic
arsenic dusts in air, may result in mild to severe irritation of the skin, eyes;•
·" or throat. -····-···-·--··-------------
-Despite all the adverse health effects -associated with arsenic exposure,;.-~::;~:_:::
there is some evidence that low levels of exposure may be beneficial to good ·
health. Animals maintained on adiet with unusually low concentratio_ns of ___ :: ___ _
arsenic did not gain weight normally, and they became pregn_ant less ____ _
frequently than animals maintained on a diet containing a more normal (but ------
low) concentration of arsenic. Also, the offspring from these animals tended
to be smaller than normal, and some died at an early age. The estimated __ ---,_
daily dose of arsenic that is beneficial is quite small (about the same as :_ ~: -:_ __
normally supplied in the diet), and no cases of arsenic deficiency in humar1~:_0 =:=~~~:~
have been found. ______ _
• •
Is there a medical test to determine if I have been exposed to arsenic/!
-~--
. .
. . .,--1'>.. .
Several different ways exist for testing people toi arsenic exposure.
_ Measuring the levels· of arsenic in urine is the besL way to determine
· exposures that _occurred within the. last 1 to 2 days.; However, some
common tests do not distinguish nontoxic forms sucti as fish arsenic from
other forms, so a high concentration of arsenic in urine1riiay not necessarily
indicate that a health problem exists. Measurement of arsenic in hair 9r
fingernails is sometimes used to detect chronic exposures, bu·t this method
is not very reliable for detecting low levels of arsenic exposure.
What levels of exposure have resulted in hannful health effects?
Arsenic -4
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has determined that
arsenic and certain arsenic compounds are known carcinogens. The
amount of arsenic intake that is required to cause a harmful effect depends ·
on the chemical and physical form of the arsenic. In general, inorganicforms.
of arsenic are more toxic than organic forms, andforms that dissolve easily
in water (soluble forms of arsenic) tend to be more toxic than those that
dissolve poorly in water. Also, toxicity depends somewhat on the electric
charge (the oxidation state or valence) of the arsenic. . . .
The graphs on the following pages (Figs. 1.1 and 1.2) show the relationship
between exposure to soluble forms of inorganic arsenic and known health
effects. In the first set of graphs, labeled "Health effects from breathing
inorganic arsenic," exposure is measured in micrograms of arsenic per
cubic meter of air. In all graphs, effects in animals are shown on the left side,
effects in humans on the right. -, -

·

-

-

-
-
. --. \. -.
! ··• .. ;...,
In the second set of graphs, the same relationship is represented for the· ...... .:..: .. : .. . k_nown "Health effects from ingesting inorganic arsenic." Exposures are ______ .. :/~
measured in micrograms of arsenic per kilogram of bodyweight per day (µg/
kg/day). -.. -_ •.•.
. -As shown.in th~ fjgure~._-most studies.in_dicate that humans are more
sensitive to arsenic than animals, which means that studies in animals are
.. of limited utility in predicting exposure levels affec_ting humans.
-··•",' ·.-,--·-=-:.·:. -:i:,: ,-:_ ,;·;:~;:.~--
. --: Studies in hum~~s \ridicate that there is considerable variation among
· different individuals, and it is difficult to ide~lify with certainty the exposure
ranges of concern. For example, some h_umaQ$ can ingest over 150 µg/kg/
· day without any apparent ill-effects,-while more sensitive individuals_ in
_ .el<posed populations often begin to display one or more of the characteristic .... __ (?_::·''_-.~.? signs of arsenic toxicity af oral doses of around 20 µg/kg/day (about 1000 ~
to 1500 µg/day for an adult}. Effects are_usually mild atthis exposure level,
......... -

:

-''!:-::'
• •
becoming more severe as doses become higher. Doses of 600 to 700 µg/
kg/day (around 50,000 µg/day in an adult or 3,000 µg/day in an infant) have
caused death in some cases. When exposure is from contaminated water, ,.,
concentrations of around 100 to 200 micrograms per li_ter (µg/L) do not seem
to produce significant noncancer health risks, while typical signs of arsenic
toxicity have been reported in several populations drl'nking water with 400 ) . . -
µg/L of arsenic or more. The levels of arsenic that most people ingest in food
or water (around 50 µg/day) are not usually considered to be of health
' concern.
For inhalation exposure, air concentrations of around 200 µg/m3 are
associated with irritation to nose, throat and exposed skin, and higher levels
may occasionally lead to mild signs of systemic toxicity similar to that seen
with oral exposure.
Direct skin contact with arsenic compounds can cause mild to severe skin
irritation, but no reliable dose estimates are available on the exposure levels
at which these effects begin to appear.
Because it is believed that cancer-causing agents can increase risk even
at very low exposures, Figs. 1.1 and 1.2 do not identify dose ranges for skin
cancer or lung cancer. From available data in humans, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has calculated that lifelong ingestion of 1 µg/kg/ ··c
day (around 50 to 100 µg/day in an adult) is associated with a risk of skin
cancer of about 0.1% (1/1000). This dose level is comparable to drinking
water containing 25 to 50 µg/L for a lifetime. Lifelong inhalation of air
containing 1 µg/m3 is estimated by EPA to cause a lung cancer risk of about
· 0.4% (4/1000). Since there is considerable uncertainty in the cancer risk
assessment process, quantitative estimates of cancer risk such as these
are intentionally conservative. That is, the actual risks of cancer could be
lower, but are unlikely tci be higher. · ·-· ···-·---------
What recommendations has the federal government made to protect human he~'!~?-~~~::~~~:
The federal government has taken a number of steps to protect hu111.ans.~-~~::.,.;-,:.
from arsenic. EPA has established limits on the amount of arsenic that can---~~ ~:c·--
be released into the environment from factories which manufacture or use·_ ___ .
arsenic. EPA has also restricted or cancelled many of the uses of arsenic_:: /.:.
in pesticides and is considering further restrictions. EPA has established : ~·:,:.---.•:-•
a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 50 µg/L for arsenic in drinking :c;.,:,i
water; this value is presently undergoing review by the Agency as part of a. --....
rulemaking to establish a new MCL for arsenic. The Occupational Safety , .. ---,-
and Health Administration (OSHA) has established a maximum permissible"_::::::=\:/
airborne exposure limit of 1 o µg/m3 for inorganic arsenic and 500 µglm" for~=':°~~:"
organic arsenic in various workplaces where arsenic is used. _______ .
. . ,., ..... ~~.,.:,,.:
• • Where can I get more information? /
If you have more questions or concerns, please cont,att your state health
or environmental department-or:
Agency for Toxic S_ubstances and Disease_ R~gistry r;.
Division ·of Toxicoiogy · · · · '· : ·
1600 Clifton Road, E-29
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
_: ".'. ,-1
__ ..,._ -
. .. . -------------·
. --•• --· -

-
-~ ·, • -=-~-c~,~ . ----,~-L!_'·. __ ~--.. _ -~• .· ... __ _. ... _ : ...,..,c:..,_.._:-'-_;--• ___ : :;._~~·: :;::; : •. -----··-· --. -------------·-----·-··-••' --·----_-:_·--::;-_:.2~.:'-.. .,_,._------~--
-------·--
, : "]:,; :.t~ ;.·:-:·: ~ ;~:"~~-~:-7.~~;~~~ ~-:;}~_.:-; __ .;_. -----·-·--······
.. ·-" --
., -

•

,l .. :
··-. ·•, -~_7.:-~Y( ." -
. . --~;:~_~; \:: . --·-----------. -------;.· .. ... ·•-'•. . . c\{\1"
,., . ) -.---
•
SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE
.. (LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 14 DAYS)
EFFECTS
IN
ANIMALS
CONC. IN
AIR
(µg/m3)
100,000
ESTIMATED~. DEATH LEVEL
INJURY TO
FETUS ··
10,000
1000
IMMUNE.,-~· SYSTEM
EFFECTS ·
. 100
10
1.0
EFFECTS
IN
HUMANS
•
. I
j, i
LONG-TERM EXPOSURE
. (GREATER THAN 14 DAYS)
EFFECTS
IN
ANIMALS
IMMUNE
CONC .. IN
AIR
(µg/m3)
100,000
10,000
1000
EFFECTS
IN
HUMANS
SYSTEM ------1
EFFECTS 1----SKIN
DISORDERS
100
10 .. -·-------., ...
. -'6 -. __ . . C ---\/, ~\ •• ;·-
1.0
Fig. 1.1. Heslth effects rrom breathing Inorganic arsen16 ·
:· ·;·;·--~~.::~_--_
. -------·'. ...
. -·--.-::,.::·,"!.· ,-•• : < ., ,,......,~--.
'" --:--..... -,.~~~;.~·-
SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE
(LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 14 DAYS)
EFFECTS
IN
ANIMALS
DEATH
· DOSE
(µg/1<g/day) . ·
EFFECTS
IN
HUMANS
100,000
'10,000
1000 DEATH
100
10 ··-.
SYSTEMIC
EFFECTS.
•
LONG-TERM EXPOSURE .
(GREA TEA THAN 14 DAYS)
EFFECTS
IN
ANIMALS·
DOSE.
. {J1g/!<g/day)
·100,000
EFFECTS
IN.
· HUMANS
10,000
NOOBVIOUY.. .... EFFECTS IN · DOGS OR .· -· ...
MONKEYS , .·•
. . ' . ,·
1000
100
SYSTEMIC
EFFECTSi ...
SKIN LESi9°NS ',
·-:;'./.: .'•
. 10 -·.--···-.
.
BENEFICIAL·{.·.-•.. ~.·.· .. • .. -.· .. ··-----_·----· .--~-• ·---· --·· ... · -.·.,
-.,· .. •· _.,,.. •. , .. ---_:.-:; __ ·.__=c·:. -.· _.--.-: -,,;·
~~ ---.• "1.0 ..... . ·--·· .•. .-. . .-.. •·.·· ---·· .-· ··• .. ·-·.;-. : ... · . · ··-·--·--···--· . ----·-······---·
Ji"lg. 1.2. Health effects from Ingesting lnorgaitlc•arsenlc. ..
. ..
-.. '-··· -. --·-·--: --'" ·-.. : :::..:.·.:.::.:::. __
.. --·· .. --------------------·-'·' . ' : =: ~: -:~~:~-----"Qj:}~:
-·-. --,. . . -.. -------------·--. :-• •'•·":":-:: _:":: •.•. -. ._ ~:~:· ,, -.;_.:~•':';---::,:.:.__ -.;;_;;;-:~.c_:;:·_:.c·,:::· .. ~?_:::::_:_:::. ·,_•. ·.,c.•1: ,;, .. ~, I_."':'."·,.
• •
f"M ATSDR
r£:J Pulb~ic Health Statement M
What is lead?
f, i lead
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the
earth's crust. Lead and its compounds can be found in all parts of the
environment, for example, in plants and animals used for food, air, drinking
water, rivers, lakes, oceans, dust, and soil. Lead in air can be carried long
distances from where it is released. Lead in the air attaches to dust. The
lead-containing dust is removed from the air by rain. Lead stays in soil for
many years. However, heavy rain can cause lead-containing soil to move
into water .. At this time, lead and lead compounds have been found at 635
out of 1177 sites on the Nati.anal Priorities List of hazardous waste sites in
the United States. As more sites are evaluated by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), this number may change.
Lead used by industry comes from mined ores or from recycled scrap metal.
In 1985, 20% of the world's total production of lead was produced by the
United States. Lead has a wide range of uses. Its main use is in the
manufacture of storage batteries. Other uses include the production of
chemicals, including paint, gasoline additives, various metal products (for
example, sheet lead, solder, and pipes), and ammunition.
How might I be exposed to lead?
f'" You can be exposed to lead and l_ead compounds from breathing air; · -----
drinking water, and eating soil _or.toodsJhat contain lead. Breathing in air---,··''--·:_
, -~ with dustthatcontains lead orswallowirig lead-containing soil sJU;h as mighL.,·s~~::_..
be found at a hazardous waste site or near areas with heavy automobile i'.'.l):.
traffic are also sources of exposure. Another source of lead exposure for · •:
June 1990
children is from swallowing nonfood items such as chips of lead-containing ~ '_C:
-paint. This activity is known as pic:a·(an abnormal eating habit). Children·;jii-~':•
who put toys or other items in their mouths may also swallow lead if _lead--'-~-,.
containing dust and dirt are on· these -items. Touching dust and dirt::•,-'_;'.",
containing lead can happen every day, but not much lead passes through·.·· __
the skiri. During normal use of lead-containing products, very little skin ,i-7c:t
_ contact takes place. :· .--· -· · · .·.:·:3":;:L·:
' .. _._,.-,.
•
The burning of gasoline has been the single largest so~rce (90%) of lead in the atmosphere since the 1920s. A lot less lead in.the air comes from gasoline now because EPA reduced the amount of lead that can be used . in gasoline. Less than 35% ·of the lead released to the air comes from gasoline. , ,.
I\
/. i _Other sources of release to the air may include emissions.from iron and steel· · production, smelting operations, municipal waste incinerators, and lead-· acid-battery manufacturers. Lead is released to the air from active volca-noes, windblown dust, and the burning of lead-painted surfaces. Cigarette. smoke is a source of lead, so people who smoke tobacco or who breathe in tobacco smoke may be exposed to more lead than people who are not exposed to cigarette smoke.
The major sources of lead released to water are lead plumbing and solder · in houses, schools, and public buildings; lead-containing dust and soil carried onto water by rain and wind; and wastewater from industries that use .lead. Lead is released to dust and soil from such sources as lead-containing waste in municipal and hazardous waste dumps, when fertilizers that contain sewage sludge are used, and from automobile exhaust.
Food and beverages can contain lead if lead-co,ntaining dust gets onio crops while they are growing and during fbod processing. Plants can take . up lead from soil such as might be found at a hazardous waste site or near areas with heavy automobile traffic.·
Workers may be exposed to lead in a wide variety of occupations including smelting and refining industries, steel welding and cutting operations, · battery manufacturing plants, gasoline stations, and radiator repair shops ..
.. H~w does lead get into my body?-_--· ... -.... --... ----·-· -.. -.. -. ' ····--. --··· ··-
Lead -2
• •
How can lead and its compounds affect my health?
The effects of lead once it is in the body are the same no matter how it enters
the body. However, exposure to lead is especially dargerous tor unborn
children because their bodies can be harmed while they are being formed.
If a pregnant woman is exposed to lead, it can be carried to the unborn child
and cause premature birth, low birth weight, or_eJeh abortion. Young ··
children are at risk because they swallow lead when they put toys or objects ·
soiled with lead-containing dirt in their mouths. More of the lead swallowed
by children enters their bodies, and they are more sensitive to its effects. For
infants or young children, lead exposure has been shown to decrease
intelligence (IQ) scores, slow their growth, and cause hearing problems.
These effects can last as children get older and intertere with successful
pertormance in school. These health effects can happen at exposure levels
once thought to.be safe.
The ability of lead to cause cancer in humans has not been shown. To date,
workplace studies do not provide enough information to determine the risk.
of cancer tor workers exposed to lead. However, tumors have deveiop·ecf .
in rats and mice given large doses of lead. The U.S. Department of Health .
and Human Services has determined that lead acetate and lead phosphate •
may reasonably be anticipated to be carcinogens.
. . -.
Exposure to high levels of lead can cause the brain and kidneys of adults·
and children to be badly damaged. Lead exposure may increase blood
pressure in middle-aged men. It is not known if lead increases blood
pressure in women. Also, a couple may have trouble having children if the
man is exposed to lead because high levels of lead may affect his sperm
or damage other parts of the male reproductive system.
-.. -···-------·--· ·-··--·
Is there a medical test to determine if I have been exposed to lead? ---.
The amount of lead in the blood can be measured to find outif you havebeeri ___ --~----"--
exposed to lead. Lead in bone and teeth can be measured u~ing X-ray ,~;.-.:;ii:~"
--------~-·-·
techniques, but this test is not used very often.. _ . _ ........ ,. .. .
Exposure to lead can also be tested by measuring the amount of a ____ :~ _
substance in red blood cells called erythrocyte protoporphyrin (EP). This: .. :::•.:~: .... : ..
method is commonly used to test children tor lead poisoning. The level of ::":'c•~:~~:
EP in red blood cells is high when the amount of lead in the blood is high. • ~-'.:}:.::,_
However, when blood lead levels are not extremely high, EP test results_ ~'.::'.:: .
may tie within what are considered normal limits. Also, other diseases, like--•-~~-~::·
. some types of anemias, that affect red blood ceHs can cause high EP leyels,::;~:_::;;;;-;
._ .. __ ,., ... ~: ::
•
What levels of exposure have resulted in hannful health effects?
The graph (Fig. 1.1) cin the following pages shows the relationship between
• the amount of lead in the body and known health effects. The amount of lead in the blood is measured in micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) and is a.' . -. . . . . ~ --. --. common way of showing the amount of lead in the bodj · · • • / . .I
·. In the figure, the column on the left side contains known health effects in: laboratory animals and people for exposures of 14 days or less; the column on the. right side is for exposures longer than 14 days. Because the levels of exposure to lead that cause damage to a man's reproductive system and
the levels that cause abortion in women are not well known, they are not included in the figure.
What recommendations has the federal government made to protect human health?
Lead -

4

The . Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that screening
· (testing) for lead poisoning be included in health care programs for children
under 72 months of age, especially those under 36 months of age. If many children in a community have blood lead levels~ 1 O µg/dL, communitywide
lead poisoning pre_ve_nlion activities should begin:
To help protect small children who might swallow chips of pai~t, the · · Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not allow the amount
of lead in most paints to be more than 0.06% lead. CDC suggests that inside
and outside paint used in buildings where people live be tested for lead. If . the level of lead is high, the paint should be removed and replaced with a · paint that contains--ah allowable level of lead.
. . ----······-.·•
CPSC, EPA, and the states are required by the 1988 Lead Contamination_ -------------Control Act to t~st drinking water in schools for lead and to remo\le the l~aq_-:: _______ i. if levels are too high. Drinking water coolers must also be lead-free and any •-· that contain lead have to be removed. EPA regulations limit lead iri dri11]<ing,-,;'-:-'-":-':--"'.=o • water to 0.015 milligrams per liter.(mg/L): . · ~:.:c:-: '. -~-; ·--: :;' :;:,
To limit the amount of lead people are exposed to in the air, EPA_does not _ -. -allow the amount of lead that the public breathes over 3 months to bemore ··• ·: ----than.1.5 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air(1.5 µg/m3)-. The Na.tlonaf'--f:.~: : ·: :.::::·. ··-: Institute for Occupational Safety and Health {NIOSH) recommends that::-~::--:::::~_~:i'. . ·····workers not be exposed to levels of more than 100 µg/m3forup to 10 ti_ours.·-~:-':'_~~~::
.:· ·Lead is released to the air with automobile exhaust. Because of this, EPA __ -~~::··:~::.:=~--. : limits the amount of lead thai can be in leaded gasoline to 0.1 gram oflead :~::::-_-::~_(::':,y~:-per gallon of gasoline (0.1 g/gal), and in unleaded gasoline to 0.05 g/gal. · -_-_ · ---'-:':~'-' ··
• •
Where can I get more infonnation?
/I If you have more questions or concerns, please contact your state health
or environmental department or:
. . . : . . . !
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Toxicology
1
'
1600 Clifton Road, E-29
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
.. • -=' -.-. ..--., " .
-~.-' ... -.·-.. ~-----··
... ----
Lead -5 ::: ~,:··
•
SHOAT-TERM EXPOSURE
(LESS THAN 0A EQUAL TO 14 DAYS)
EFFECTS
IN
ANIMALS
CONC.IN
BLOOD
{llg/<1.)
150 ·
EFFECTS
IN
HUMANS
}---DEATH (CHILDREN)
100 BRAIN ANO KIDNEY
DAMAGE (ADULTS)
1-----BRA!N AND KIDNEY
50
I
40
EFFECTS'ON ~ NERVOUS SYSTEM
OF RAT PUPS FROM
MOTHER'S EXPOSURE 30
DURING PREGNANCY . ,
NOEFFECTON
RAT PUPS 20
DAMAGE (CHILDREN)
EFFECTS
IN
ANIMALS
•
LONG-TERM EXPOSURE
(GREATER THAN 14 DAYS)
. CONC.IN
BLOOD
(µgldL)
. 150
:/
EFFECTS
IN
HUMANS
1---DEATH (CHILDREN)
100 -----BRAIN ANO KIDNEY
DAMAGE (AOUL TS)
1------BRAIN ANO KIDNEY
50
I INCREASED BLOOD-40
PRESSURE I
30
20
NOEFFECTON--
BLOOO PRESSURE
DAMAGE (C/!ILDREN)
.. --i ~t~~-R:~~S -~ . l~AIAED----I
PREGNANCY-SAME AS ____ LEARNING _ . LONG-TERM EXPOSURE . . 10 :. _ . . -----
·-. ,.. --· :, -··
---·: ... :.· .. _· : .. .-.... -. :--. : -:-.: . _. ___ --

-
-.:-:: -.-.-Fig. 1,1. -Health effects from Ingesting and breathing lead.