PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
MARCH AIR FORCE BASE
(a.k.a. MARCH AIR FORCE BASE)
MARCH AIR FORCE BASE, RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
PATHWAY NAME | CONTAMINANTS | EXPOSURE PATHWAYS ELEMENTS | TIME | COMMENTS | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOURCE | ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE | ROUTE OF EXPOSURE | EXPOSED POPULATION | ||||
Green Acres Military Family Housing | Pesticides in living area | Crawl space air | air, contaminated interior surfaces | Inside houses | Inhalation, ingestion from contact with interior surfaces | Residents including sensitive subpopulations
such as children (particularly ages six and under) and pregnant and nursing
women, and women of childbearing age.
About 300 to 500 people may have been living at Green Acres at any one time in the 128 houses depending on the number of dependents |
Past: duration of exposure approx. 5 to
9 years per rotation starting in the 1940s.
Future exposure unknown pending reuse and home improve-ments |
The houses are currently leased to the MJPA. In turn,
the MJPA is renting the houses.
ATSDR reviewed the pesticide sampling data together with past, current, and future exposure scenarios, use of the Green Acre Houses, and the toxicology of the pesticides. Based on this review, we have concluded that past, current, and future exposure to indoor air contaminated with pesticides poses no (apparent) public health hazard. Although we have made this conclusion, ATSDR recommends the placement of barriers in the crawl space to prevent or lower pesticide migration into the houses. |
Pesticides in crawl space | Unknown but probably pesticide application | soil, air | Crawl space | Ingestion inhalation | Residents, maintenance workers | ATSDR concluded that the past, current, and future exposures poses no (apparent) public health hazard. ATSDR recommends future prevention of exposure by maintaining restricted access to the crawl space. | ||
Lead | Interior and exterior lead paint | soil, air | Lead contaminated household dusts, paint chips, painted surfaces, and soils | Inhalation (of lead contaminated dusts)
Ingestion (paint chips, children teething on wood surfaces, dusts and chips ingested via hand-mouth and toy-mouth activity |
Residents and sensitive subpopulations discussed above. | No apparent public health hazard based on limited blood
lead sampling data.
ATSDR recommends exposure prevention. The AFBCA or MJPA should maintain lawns and shrubs adjacent to the houses including the roof driplines and all bare soils should be replanted to prevent access to the lead in the soils by children. Gardens adjacent to the houses should be prohibited to limit contact with the lead in the soil. Children should not be allowed to play next to the homes because of lead contaminated soils identified in the drip soil samples. Playground equipment or fenced areas for children should not be located next to the homes. ATSDR also recommends that MJPA and AFBCA follow the protective public health measures identified in 66 Federal Register 1206 for lead in residential soils. |
||
Asbestos | Building materials | air | Inside house | inhalation | Residents | A visual inspection and a review of the types of building materials present indicate that asbestos is present but in good condition. The AFBCA or MJPA should maintain and routinely inspect the asbestos in the houses. |
Pesticide | Range of Concentrations Detected1 (mg/kg) | Number of Sampled Houses with Pesticides above Detection Limits | ATSDR's Comparison Values2 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Value (mg/kg) | Criteria | |||
Chlordane (alpha) | <0.0005 to 31 J3 | 6 | 0.5 | Chronic Oral CREG |
Chlordane (gamma) | <0.0008 to 26 J | 5 | 0.5 | Chronic Oral CREG |
Dieldrin | <0.0009 to 54 J | 2 | 0.04 | Chronic Oral CREG |
4-4'-DDD | <0.0017 to 65 J | 11 | 3 | Chronic Oral CREG |
4,4'-DDE | <0.0030 to 77 J | 18 | 2 | Chronic Oral CREG |
4,4'-DDT | <0.18 to 440 J | 20 | 2 | Chronic Oral CREG |
Methoxychlor | < 0.015 to 0.047 | 1 | 10 | Chronic Oral Pica Child |
2. ATSDR 1997.
3. J - indicates that the concentration value is an estimated quantity because the analytical methods used to quantify the chemical concentrations were not sufficiently precise. Precision is based on detection limits of the sampling, analysis, and instrument methods.
Pesticide | Range of Concentrations Detected1 (g/m3) | EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals2 (g/m3) | ATSDR's Comparison Values (g/m3) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CREG3 | MRL4 | |||
delta-BHC | 0-0.00165 | --6 | -- | -- |
gamma-BHC (lindane) | 0-0.0066 | 0.0052 | -- | -- |
Chlordane (alpha) | 0.00092-0.170 | 0.0052 | 0.003 | 0.02 chronic 0.2 intermediate |
Chlordane (gamma) | 0.00089-0.200 | 0.0052 | 0.003 | 0.02 chronic 0.2 intermediate |
Dieldrin | 0-0.280 | 0.00042 | 0.0002 | -- |
4,4'-DDE | 0.0021-0.014 | 0.020 | -- | |
4,4'-DDT | 0-0.0061 | 0.020 | 0.010 | -- |
Endrin | 0-0.0058 | 1.100 | -- | -- |
Endrin ketone | 0-0.00066 | -- | -- | -- |
Heptachlor | 0 | 0.00 | 0.0008 | -- |
2. U.S. EPA, 1996.
3. Cancer Risk Evaluation Guide, ATSDR, 1997.
4. Minimum Risk Level (noncancer risk), ATSDR, 1997
5. Detection limits were not reported. ATSDR assumes "0" means the chemical was not detected.
6. A value is not available.
7. ATSDR Toxicological Profile
8. ATSDR Toxicological Profile
Pesticide | Highest Reported Detection Limit1 (g/m3) | Maximum Concentration Detected1 (g/m3) | Region 9 PRG's2 (g/m3) |
ATSDR's Comparison Values-CREG3 (g/m3) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aldrin | <0.005 | <0.005 | 0.00039 | 0.01 |
alpha-BHC | <0.005 | 0.005 | 0.0011 | 0.0006 |
beta-BHC | <0.005 | <0.005 | 0.0037 | 0.002 |
delta-BHC | <0.005 | <0.005 | --4 | -- |
gamma-BHC (lindane) | <0.004 | 0.008 | 0.0052 | -- |
alpha-Chlordane | <0.005 | 0.096 | 0.0052 | 0.003 |
gamma-Chlordane | <0.005 | 0.14 | 0.0052 | 0.003 |
4,4'-DDD | <0.005 | 0.97 | 0.028 | -- |
4,4'-DDE | <0.008 | 0.18 | 0.02 | -- |
4.4'-DDT | <0.008 | 0.022 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Dieldrin | <0.008 | 0.21 | 0.00042 | 0.0002 |
Endosulfan I | <0.008 | <0.005 | 22 | -- |
Endosulfan II | <0.005 | 0.008 | 22 | -- |
Endosulfan sulfate | <0.008 | 0.005 | -- | |
Endrin | <0.008 | <0.008 | 1.1 | -- |
Endrin aldehyde | <0.008 | <0.008 | -- | -- |
Endrin ketone | <0.008 | 0.007 | -- | -- |
Heptachlor | <0.005 | 0.042 | 0.0015 | 0.0008 |
Heptachlor epoxide | <0.005 | <.005 | 0.00074 | 0.0004 |
Methoxychlor | <0.005 | 0.004 | 18 | -- |
Toxaphene | <0.2 | <0.2 | 0.006 | 0.003 |
2. U.S. EPA, 1996.
3. ATSDR, 1997.
4. A value is not available.
House Number | Address | Lead Concen-tration in Soil (mg/kg)1 | Side of House | Prior Lead Paint Abatement2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
124 | 124 Adams St. | 935 1070 443 246 |
A B C D |
P |
333 | 333 U St. | 443 314 330 475 |
A B C D |
C |
142 | 142 Gilley St. | 608 2700 796 1530 |
A B C D |
C |
328 | 328 U St. | 1010 224 |
A B |
P |
170 | 170 Baucom Blvd. | 404 434 712 |
B C D |
P |
137 | 137 Baucom Blvd. | 1600 647 616 700 |
A B C D |
P |
336 | 336 DeKay St. | 841 | B | C |
Averages | 776 |
1. Composite samples were collected at facilities where (1)
exterior lead-based paint was present, (2) the paint was in poor condition,
and the soil was exposed for sampling. Each "side of house" composite was made
up of five subsamples collected from bare soil areas to a depth of 1/2 inch
or less. March AFB, 1995a.
2. C- Complete abatement, P - partial abatement, paint
not removed behind bushes.
PATHWAY NAME | CONTAMINANTS | EXPOSURE PATHWAYS ELEMENTS | TIME | COMMENTS | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOURCE | ENVIRON-MENTAL MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE | ROUTE OF EXPOSURE | EXPOSED POPULATION | ||||
Water Supply On-Base | Volatile Organic Compounds and Boron | IRP Sites 2, 8, 12, 27, and 36 | Ground water | Water Taps | Ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact | Base personnel and families living on base. Population varied per year but may have been as high as 10,000 at one time after World War II. | Past estimated from 1940s through 1983 | Based on risk calculation no apparent public health hazards are expected. |
Well | Years of Operation | Average Well Yield 1963-1978 (gpm) | Percentage of Well Total Based on Well Yield | Percentage of Total Water Supplied to the Base |
---|---|---|---|---|
BPW-1 | 1927-1983 | 395 | 15.2 | 6.7 |
BPW-2 | unknown-1930s | unknown | -- | -- |
BPW-3 | 1931-1978 | 202 | 7.8 | 3.4 |
BPW-4 | 1934-1978 | 195 | 7.5 | 3.3 |
BPW-5 | 1941-1988 | 890 | 34.2 | 15.0 |
BPW-6 | 1941-1988 | 921 | 35.4 | 15.6 |
Totals | 2603 | 100 | 44.0 |
Chemical | Production Wells (g/L) | Water Treatment Plant (g/L) | Tap Water from Distribution System2 (g/L) | EPA's MCL3 (Date promulgated) (g/L) | ATSDR's CV4 (g/L) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Boron | ND5-4600 | ND-2300 | ND-900 | -- | 100 Interim EMEG Child |
Bromodichloro-methane | ND-5.6 | ND-5.8 | ND-21.9 | See Note 6 | 0.6 CREG |
Bromoform | ND | ND-18.9 | ND-38.4 | See Note 6 | 4 CREG |
Carbon Tetrachloride | ND-9 | ND-0.3 | ND | 5 (1987) | 0.3 CREG |
Chloroform | ND-10.6 | 3.5-13.0 | ND-32.4 | See Note 6 | 6 CREG |
Dibromochloro-methane | ND | ND-9.8 | ND-16.2 | See Note 6 | 0.4 CREG |
Methylene chloride | ND-0.4 | ND | ND-0.5 | 5 (1992) | 5 CREG |
Tetrachloroethene | ND-1.5 | ND | ND-0.4 | 5 (1991) | 0.7 CREG |
Trichloroethene | ND-33.6 | ND | ND-2.6 | 5 (1987) | 3 CREG |
2- The distribution line sample was taken at the base hospital except on August 1979 for Boron (sample collected in building 24242 and was not-detected) and in August 1983 for TCE (sample collected in the dining hall and measured at 2.6 g/L and the barber shop measured at 1.9 g/L).
3- U.S. EPA's maximum contaminant level as specified in the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
4- CV - Comparison values (see acronyms and abbreviations for further information).
CREG - Cancer Risk Evaluation Guide for 1E-6 excess cancer risk.
Interim (Intermediate) EMEG - Environmental media evaluation guide for noncarcinogens for duration exposure of 15 to 365 days.
5 - Chemical was analyzed for and not detected
6- These chemicals are components of trihalomethanes, a class of compounds with an MCL of 100 g/L. This MCL was promulgated in 1991.
IRP Site Number | IRP Site Name | Dates of Operations | Description | March AFB Cleanup Activities |
---|---|---|---|---|
2 | Waste Oil Pit/Solvent Tanks | 1940s to 1950s | Above- and underground storage tanks, railroad unloading spur, and aviation gasoline fueling stations. Contaminants included solvents and petroleum products. | Abandoned USTs and contaminated soils removed in 1994. Ground water contamination will be addressed by EPA's Record of Decision for Operable Unit 2. |
8 | Flightline Shop Zone | 1918 to present | Industrial operations including the maintenance and repair of jet engines and aircraft equipment including underground storage tanks. Wastes included fuels, waste oils, spent solvents, paints, and thinners. | Ground water pump and treat and soil vapor extraction proposed as part of the Record of Decision for Operable Unit 2. |
12 | Civil Engineering Storage Yard | 1940 to 1993 | Storage of drums, tanks, and transformers. Waste included waste oils and solvents. | Contaminated soil removed in 1994 |
27 | Bldg. 422 Underground tanks | 1941 to 1995. | Gas station, oil/water separator, and underground storage tanks used for products and wastes. | Building and tanks removed in January 1996. Ground water contamination will be addressed by EPA's Record of Decision for Operable Unit 2. |
36 | Bldg 458 Leach Pit | 1929 to unknown. Leach pit removed in 1996. | Jet engine maintenance shop leach pit. Waste included solvents. | Contaminated soil removed in 1994. An additional soil cleanup action was planned in 1998. Ground water contamination will be addressed by EPA's Record of Decision for Operable Unit 2. |
Volatile Organic Compound | Concen-tration | Date of Sample | Well Number | Concen-tration in Well Water Supply (g/L) | Calculated Concentra-tion in Distribution System (g/L) | Cancer Risk | Noncancer Risk Hazard Quotient | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Child | Adult | Child | Adult | ||||||
Bromodichlormethane | 5.6 | July 83 | BPW-1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 6.1e-07 | 8.7e-07 | 0.006 | 0.002 |
Bromoform | <0.2 | July 83 | BPW-1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Carbon Tetrachloride | 9 | Sept 82 | BPW-1 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 1.9e-06 | 2.7e-06 | 0.250 | 0.070 |
Chloroform | 15.7 | July 83 | BPW-1 | 3.6 | 1.6 | 1.6e-06 | 2.3e-07 | 0.030 | 0.009 |
Dibromochloromethane | <0.1 | Sept 82 | BPW-1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | --- | -- | -- | -- |
Methylene chloride | <0.2 | July 83 | BPW-1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Tetrachloroethene | 1.5 | Sept 82 | BPW-1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1.7e-07 | 2.4e-07 | 0.004 | 0.001 |
Trichloroethene | 66 | June '83 | BPW-1 | 15.2 | 6.7 | 1.2e-06 | 1.7e-06 | 0.210 | 0.060 |
Sums | 5.5e-06 | 5.7e-06 | 0.500 | 0.142 |
PATHWAY NAME | CONTAMINANTS | EXPOSURE PATHWAYS ELEMENTS | TIME | COMMENTS | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOURCE | ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIA | POINT OF EXPOSURE | ROUTE OF EXPOSURE | POTENTIALLY EXPOSED POPULATION | ||||
Past Water Supply Off Base | Trichloroethene and Tetrachloroethene | IRP Sites 5,7,8,9,10,13,14,15, 16,23,29,31,and 34. IRP Site 31 as major source. | ground water | water supply taps, showers, cooking, washing, irrigation | ingestion, inhalation, dermal contact | Residents off base to the east with private wells, approximately 5 to 50 people |
Past,, approximately 1970 to 1988 |
No apparent public health hazard for off-base residents based on concentrations and period of time water was used. To confirm the presence or absence of used private wells in the OU1 area, ATSDR recommends that AFBCA or AFRC send all parcel owners in the OU1 area letters asking about the presence of wells and their use. ATSDR recommends that AFBCA or AFRC sample previously unknown private wells if they are still in use. These wells should be sampled quarterly for one year. With the results of the first sample and each subsequent sample, AFBCA or AFRC should evaluate whether the sampled wells should be closed because of public health. AFBCA or AFRC should also provide information on the status of the investigated wells to State Department of Water Resources, Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, State Department of Health Services (Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management), and the Riverside County Health Department. The AFBCA, AFRC, State, County, or private owners should close those wells that are no longer used or inadequately constructed within the plume or adjacent to the downgradient edge of the plume to prevent exposure and the spreading of contamination. The AFBCA or AFRC should confirm with the County of Riverside that well permits should not be issued in the OU1 area. |
Chemical | Range | EPA's MCL1 | ATSDR's CREG2 |
---|---|---|---|
TCE | ND3-17.0 g/L | 5 g/L | 3 g/L |
PCE | ND-0.8 g/L | 5 g/L | 0.7 g/L |
2 - CREG - Cancer Risk Evaluation Guide (see acronyms, abbreviations, and glossary for further information)
3 - Not Detected
Figure 1. Site Map of March Air Force Base
Figure 2. March AFB Production Wells
Figure 3. Water Supply System at March AFB from 1960s to 19831
Figure 4. Location of Off-Base Private Wells and Ground Water Contamination
APPENDIX A: POPULATION DATA AND CENSUS TRACT MAP
Appendix A. Population Data and Census Tract Map
APPENDIX B: SUMMARY OF SITE EVALUATIONS1,2,3
Site Location and Number | Status | |
---|---|---|
IRP Sites 14, 22, 23, 32 | These are sites with no evidence of contaminant release(s) | |
IRP Sites 5, 9, 13, 16, 22, 23, 30, 35, 38 | These are sites where a Remedial Investigation was completed and the preliminary remediation goals were not exceeded or the calculated risks were below 1E-6 for carcinogens or the hazard index was at or below 1 for noncarcinogens. | |
IRP Sites 2, 7, 11, 19, 29, 37 | These are sites where a clean up did not occur but the contamination requires that the land only be used for industrial purposes. | |
IRP Sites 4, 6a | Sites with completed clean up actions and
no further action scheduled. | | | | | | V |
These are sites with surface, sub-surface, or ground water contamination where the waste was kept in place and capped. Ground water is being monitored or addressed by a ground water treatment system. |
IRP Sites 17 | This Site consisted of a concrete swimming pool that was filled with soil, drums, paint containers and demolition debris. The pool contents were excavated in 1994. Confirmation samples found PCB contaminated soils below the excavation between 8.5 and 13.5 feet below ground surface at 0.8 to 4.4 mg/kg. One of these samples was spilt and analyzed by a separate laboratory. The PCB concentration was measured at 190 mg/kg. The ROD approves this site for use as residential. March AFB has placed restrictions on excavations at this site. | |
IRP Sites 20, 24, 26, 40 | Suitable for residential. | |
IRP Site 1, 37, 44 | These are sites where surface soil was remediated and the remaining contamination is only suitable for industrial use. | |
IRP Sites 15. 34 | Site with completed clean-up actions and additional
cleanup is required.
|
These are sites where surface soils are to be cleaned up. |
IRP Sites 2, 3, 8, 27, 33, 34, 36 | These are sites where subsurface soils and ground water are to be cleaned up. For Site 8, surface soil clean up only. | |
IRP Sites 12, 25 | These are sites where the additional clean up consists of ground water monitoring | |
IRP Sites 10, 18, 31, 39 | Sites with required cleanup. | Subsurface soils |
IRP Sites 31 | Ground water | |
IRP Sites 21, 41, 43 | Sites that will be included in a Basewide Operable unit and Record of Decision. Sites 21 and 43 are proposed for ground water monitoring. Site 41 had an interim tank removal with proposed no further action. |
Source: Tetra Tech, 1996, Satrom, 1998.
Site Location and Number | Summary and Evaluation | Comments and Recommendations |
---|---|---|
RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA) Sites
105 Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) and 50 Areas of Concern (AOCs) were identified. These 155 units/areas were classified into three groups. The first group are those recommended for no further action and this consisted of 68 units/areas (59 SWMUs and 9 AOCs). The second group consists of those units/areas classified as requiring further action and this consisted of 57 units/areas (43 SWMUs and 14 AOCs). The third group is units/areas designated potential release locations consisting of 30 units/areas (3 SWMUs and 27 AOCs).2 The second group was determined to be no further action (Satrom, August 1988). The third group of 30 units/areas is listed below. |
Work on the 57 SWMUs and AOCs requiring further action is pending. ATSDR will review additional data as it is provided. |
|
A, B, E, F, H, J, K, M, N, O, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, DD | Soil gas survey and/or geophysical survey conducted in 1995 did not find evidence of contaminant releases. No further action proposed (Tetra Tech 1996b) | |
C, D, G, I, L, P, Y, Z, AA | Sampling of these sites included one or more of the following:
soil gas, soil boring, surface soil/hand auguring, and trenching (Tetra
Tech 1996b).
C - Soil gas levels below levels of concern. |
|
L Y BB and CC |
These are sites pending further work.
Soil sampling to be conducted. Trenching and sampling to be conducted Soil sampling to be conducted. |
ATSDRs comments on hold until additional information is provided. |
Environmental Base Survey (EBS) Sites
An Environmental Baseline Survey was conducted in 1994 of the entire March AFB. From this survey, 30 sites were identified with a potential for environmental concerns. Of these 30, 12 sites were recommended for no further action and two sites are being evaluated as part of Site 8 in Operable Unit 2. In addition, five more Areas of Concern were identified and investigated. |
||
BB-1,7; Q-4,7; N-4,7; U-2,7; S-2,7; Q-7,7; Area Target Butt; A-28,1; Small Arms Drainage Ditch | These are areas that were visually inspected with a potential for containing contamination. However, in a subsequent visual inspection, these areas were regraded, soil removed was removed, or recent burnings of area occurred removing any visual clues of the contamination. In the case of area S-2,7, hazardous materials were not apparently used in the area and the absence of vegetation was due to the poor soil conditions. | |
A-28,1; N-3,7; and P-2,7 and three Sites at the Veterans Administration Property. | These are areas where oil was applied to unimproved area for dust and weed control from 1941 to 1945. These areas are referred to "oiled mats" or "oil-treated surface drill areas." Records indicate six oiled mats existed: two on West March (P-2,7 and N-3,7), one on the Main Base (A-28,1), and three on Veterans Administration (VA), Riverside National cemetery. EBS Site A-28,1 is now in an area now cover by the active flightline parking apron, P-2,7 is beneath the Arnold Heights military housing area, and N-3,7 is discussed below. | P-2,7 is beneath the Arnold Heights military housing area.
Since PCBs were produced from 1929 to 1977 and were present in many oils, PCBs could be present in these oiled mat areas. Although, these oiled mats are more than 50 years old, degradation of PCBs is very slow in soils and an unknown past exposure may have occurred. The current status of these oil mats are unknown and would be very difficult to determine. Recommend sampling after demolition of P-2,7 if reuse involves children. |
Area A (Buildings 2274 and 2305) | Sampling to be conducted | Additional sampling for Area A. |
N-3,7; Q-2,7, Q-6,7; Q-8,7; 549; 5044 (Site T); U-5,7; U-4,7, Z-3,7; Z; STP; Building 355; Building 458; Building 479; A-2,7; Z-2,7; Z-3,7SR | N-3,7; Q-6,7; Q-8-7; 5044(T); U-5,7; Q-4,7; STP; 458 -
Samples and laboratory results below levels of concern. Q-2,7 - Site being investigated as part of RFA Site P. Site P has concentrations below levels of concern. 549 - Soil removed from stained area. Samples and laboratory results below levels of concern. Z-3,7; PAH levels above screening levels. Extent of contamination is unknown. Z; Consists of three areas. Levels of PCBs in Area B is above screening levels. However, the location precludes possible significant exposure. 355 - Contaminated ground water is part of the OU-2 ground water plume. Soil gas will be further investigated as part of OU2 Site 8. Former Skeet Ranges A-2,7; Z-2,7; Z-3,7SR - Lead levels were not above levels of concern. |
Q-4,7, Tetra Tech recommends excavation due to the potential
for asbestos containing material. However, this area is in the former Weapons
Storage Area and is secured by a fence and locked gate so no current exposures
are unlikely. However, future use should consider this potential exposure.
Z-3,7- Tetra Tech recommends additional investigation. However, because of location, current exposure is unlikely but could be a future issue. |
5 Areas of Concern
|
Buildings with crawl spaces include residential and office
buildings. The residential buildings are addressed in Section II.A. The
pesticide levels in the office buildings are not a public health concern.
Gregory Well Building-Sampled for PCBs and not detected. 15th Air Force Headquarter Cooling Tower. Soils around the cooling tower were sampled for hexavalent chromium and none was detected. However, the samples should have been analyzed for trivalent chrome since the hexavalent chromium would probably be reduced in the environment. Regardless, no public health issues would result from this area because of its location and land use. Golf Course and JP-4 Pipelines - Levels not of concern |
|
Other Sites | ||
Building 373 (355) Building 426 Building 434 Building 453 Former Incinerator |
Buildings 373, 434, and 453 are industrial shops and Building 426 is a former laundry. Soil gas was sampled at these buildings, soil was sampled at the former incinerator, and ground water and soils were sampled at Building 373. | Soil gas concentrations from buildings 426, 434, and 453
are below levels of concern. Soil samples from the former incinerator are
below levels of concern.
Ground water samples from Building 373 identify it as a source of VOC contamination. Since this area is within the Operable Unit 2 ground water plume it is not a concern. Furthermore, the soil gas concentrations are below levels of concern. |
2. Tetra Tech 1997a.
3. Tetra Tech 1995b.
APPENDIX C: PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT CONCLUSION CATEGORIES
CATEGORY A: URGENT PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD
This category is used for sites where short-term exposures (< 1 yr) to hazardous substances or conditions could result in adverse health effects that require rapid intervention.
This determination represents a professional judgement based on critical data which ATSDR has judged sufficient to support a decision. This does not necessarily imply that the available data are complete; in some cases additional data may be required to confirm or further support the decision made.
Criteria:
Evaluation of available relevant information* indicates that site-specific conditions or likely exposures have had, are having, or are likely to have in the future, an adverse impact on human health that requires immediate action or intervention. Such site-specific conditions or exposures may include the presence of serious physical or safety hazards, such as open mine shafts, poorly stored or maintained flammable/explosive substances, or medical devices which, upon rupture, could release radioactive materials.
* Such as environmental and demographic data; health outcome data; exposure data; community health concerns information; toxicologic, medical, and epidemiologic data.
ATSDR Actions:
ATSDR will expeditiously issue a health advisory that includes recommendations to mitigate the health risks posed by the site. The recommendations issued in the health advisory and/or health assessment should be consistent with the degree of hazard and temporal concerns posed by exposures to hazardous substances at the site.
Based on the degree of hazard posed by the site and the presence of sufficiently defined current, past, or future completed exposure pathways, one or more of the following public health actions can be recommended:
- biologic indicators of exposure study
- biomedical testing
- case study
- disease and symptom prevalence study
- community health investigations
- registries
- site-specific surveillance
- voluntary residents tracking system
- cluster investigation
- health statistics review
- health professional education
- community health education
- substance-specific applied research
CATEGORY B: PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD
This category is used for sites that pose a public health hazard due to the existence of long-term exposures (> 1 yr) to hazardous substance or conditions that could result in adverse health effects.
This determination represents a professional judgement based on critical data which ATSDR has judged sufficient to support a decision. This does not necessarily imply that the available data are complete; in some cases additional data may be required to confirm or further support the decision made.
Criteria:
Evaluation of available relevant information* suggests that, under site-specific conditions of exposure, long-term exposures to site-specific contaminants (including radionuclides) have had, are having, or are likely to have in the future, an adverse impact on human health that requires one or more public health interventions. Such site-specific exposures may include the presence of serious physical hazards, such as open mine shafts, poorly stored or maintained flammable/ explosive substances, or medical devices which, upon rupture, could release radioactive materials.
*Such as environmental and demographic data; health outcome data; exposure data; community health concerns information; toxicologic, medical, and epidemiologic data.
ATSDR Actions:
ATSDR will make recommendations in the health assessment to mitigate the health risks posed by the site. The recommendations issued in the health assessment should be consistent with the degree of hazard and temporal concerns posed by exposures to hazardous substances at the site. Actions on the recommendations may have occurred before the actual completion of the public health assessment.
Based on the degree of hazard posed by the site and the presence of sufficiently defined current, past, or future completed exposure pathways, one or more of the following public health actions can be recommended:
- biologic indicators of exposure study
- biomedical testing
- case study
- disease and symptom prevalence study
- community health investigations
- registries
- site-specific surveillance
- voluntary residents tracking system
- cluster investigation
- health statistics review
- health professional education
- community health education
- substance-specific applied research
CATEGORY C: INDETERMINATE PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD
This category is used for sites when a professional judgement on the level of health hazard cannot be made because information critical to such a decision is lacking.
Criteria:
This category is used for sites in which "critical" data are insufficient with regard to extent of exposure and/or toxicologic properties at estimated exposure levels. The health assessor must determine, using professional judgement, the "criticality" of such data and the likelihood that the data can be obtained and will be obtained in a timely manner. Where some data are available, even limited data, the health assessor is encouraged to the extent possible to select other hazard categories and to support their decision with clear narrative that explains the limits of the data and the rationale for the decision.
ATSDR Actions:
ATSDR will make recommendations in the health assessment to identify the data or information needed to adequately assess the public health risks posed by the site.
Public health actions recommended in this category will depend on the hazard potential of the site, specifically as it relates to the potential for human exposure of public health concern. Actions on the recommendations may have occurred before the actual completion of the public health assessment.
If the potential for exposure is high, initial health actions aimed at determining the population with the greatest risk of exposure can be recommended. Such health actions include:
- community health investigation
- health statistics review
- cluster investigation
- symptom and disease prevalence study
If the population of concern can be determined through these or other actions, any of the remaining follow-up health activities listed under categories A and B may be recommended.
In addition, if data become available suggesting that human exposure to hazardous substances at levels of public health concern is occurring or has occurred in the past, ATSDR will reevaluate the need for any followup.
CATEGORY D: NO APPARENT PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD
This category is used for sites where human exposure to contaminated media may be occurring, may have occurred in the past, and/or may occur in the future, but the exposure is not expected to cause any adverse health effects.
This determination represents a professional judgement based on critical data which ATSDR considers sufficient to support a decision. This does not necessarily imply that the available data are complete, in some cases additional data may be required to confirm or further support the decision made.
Criteria:
Evaluation of available relevant information* indicates that, under site-specific conditions of exposure, exposures to site-specific contaminants in the past, present, or future are not likely to result in any adverse impact on human health.
*Such as environmental and demographic data; health outcome data; exposure data; community health concerns information; toxicologic, medical, and epidemiologic data; monitoring and management plans.
ATSDR Actions:
If appropriate, ATSDR will make recommendations for monitoring or other removal and/or remedial actions needed to ensure that humans are not exposed to significant concentrations of hazardous substances in the future. Actions on the recommendations may have occurred before the actual completion of the public health assessment.
The following health actions, which may be reommended in this category, are based on information indicating that no human exposure is occurring or has occurred in the past to hazardous substances at levels of public health concern. One or more of the following health actions are recommended for sites in this category:
- community health education
- health professional education
- community health investigation
- voluntary residents tracking system
However, if data become available suggesting that human exposure to hazardous substances at levels of public health concern is occurring, or has occurred in the past, ATSDR will reevaluate the need for any followup.
CATEGORY E: NO PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARD
This category is used for sites that, because of the absence of exposure, do NOT pose a public health hazard.
Criteria:
Sufficient evidence indicates that no human exposures to contaminated media have occurred, none are now occurring, and none are likely to occur in the future.
ATSDR Actions:
No public health actions are recommended at this time because no human exposure is occurring, has occurred in the past, or is likely to occur in the future that may be of public health concern.
Adult Assumptions | Child Assumptions | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ED | Exposure Duration | 7 years | 6 years | ||||
BW | Body Weight |
70 kg
|
15 kg | ||||
EF | Exposure Freq. |
Varies
|
Varies | ||||
Crawl Space Soils |
5 days/year
|
12 days/year | |||||
IR | Inhalation Rate |
20 m3/day
|
12 m3/day | ||||
IRW | Ingestion Rate-Water |
2 L/day
|
1 L/day | Add 2L/d for VOCs due to volatiliation and inhalation | |||
IRS | Ingestion Rat-Soil |
100 mg/day
|
200 mg/day | ||||
Other Assumptions | |||||||
FI | Fraction ingested |
1 unitless
|
AD | Averaging Duration | |||
AT | Averaging Time | 365 days/year | ---carcinogens 70 years ---noncarcinogens ED |
||||
Formulas | |||||||
Intake Soil (mg/kg-day)= | Concentration Soil * IRS * EF * ED/(BW*AD*AT*1000*1000) | 1000 * 1000 used to convert kg to mg | |||||
Intake Water (mg/kg/day)= | Concentration Water x IRW x EF * ED/(BW*AD*AT *1000) | 1000 to convert ug to mg | |||||
Intake Air (mg/kg/da)y= | Concentration Air * IR*EF *ED/(BW*AD*AT) | ||||||
Intake Air (Child and Adult) (mg/kg/day)= | [Concentration Air * IR*EF *ED/(BW*AD*AT) ]adult +[Concentration Air * IR*EF *ED/(BW*AD*AT) ]child | ||||||
Cancer Risk = | Intake * CSF | ||||||
Hazard Quotient= | Intake/Reference Dose |
Note: Body weights, inhalation rates, and ingestation rates represent default values established by U.S. EPA (US EPA, 1989). In actuality, these values vary among individuals as documented in the Exposure Factors Handbook, Update to Exposure Factors Handbook (US EPA 1997a) EPA/600/8-89/043 - U.S. EPA May 1989. Nontheless, the default values established by EPA were used.
Chemical | Cancer Slope Factor (mg/kg/d)-1 | Reference Dose (mg/kg-day) | Concentration (mg/kg) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
alpha-chlordane | 1.3 | 6.0e-05 | 31 | assume alpha and gamma can be represented by chlordane mixture RfD. | |
gamma-chlordane | 1.3 | 6.0e-05 | 26 | assume alpha and gamma can be represented by chlordane mixture RfD. | |
DDE | 0.34 | 5.0e-04 | 77 | RfD assumed from DDT | |
DDD | 0.24 | 5.0e-04 | 65 | RfD assumed from DDT | |
DDT | 0.34 | 5.0e-04 | 440 | ||
dieldrin | 1.6 | 5.0e-05 | 54 | ||
methoxychlor | Not Cancer | 5.0e-03 | 0.047 | ||
trichloroethene | 0.011 | 6.0e-03 | 17 | CSF from EPA, RfD from ATSDR intermediate oral RfD based on fetotoxic effects | |
tetrachloroethene | 0.052 | 1.0e-02 | 0.8 | ||
carbon tetrachloride | 0.13 | 0.0007 | |||
chloroform | 0.0061 | 0.01 | |||
bromodichloromethane | 0.062 | 0.02 | |||
boron | Not Cancer | 1.00e-02 | 900 | ||
bromoform | 0.0079 | 2.0e-02 | |||
dibromochloromethane | 1.4 | 5.7e-05 | Cancer slope from HEAST, RfD extrapolated from inhalation | ||
Chemical | Cancer Slope Factor (mg/kg/d)-1 | Reference Dose (mg/kg-day) | Concentration (mg/kg) | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aldrin | 17 | 3.0e-05 | varies based on pesticide and house | RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral |
alpha BHC | 6.3 | 3.0e-03 | RfD assumed from beta BHC | |
beta BHC | 1.8 | 3.0e-03 | RfD from ATSDR and extrapolated from oral | |
delta BHC | 6.3 | 3.0e-03 | Inhalation cancer slope not available but assumed to be equivalent to alpha based on relative toxicity stated in ATSDR tox profile, RfD assumed from beta BHC. | |
gamma BHC - lindane | 1.8 | 3.0e-04 | RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
gamma-chlordane | 1.3 | 6.0e-05 | assume alpha and gamma can be represented by chlordane mixture. RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
gamma-chlordane | 1.3 | 6.0e-05 | assume alpha and gamma can be represented by chlordane mixture. RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
DDE | 0.34 | 5.0e-04 | Cancer Slope from CAL EPA, RfD assumed from DDT | |
DDD | 0.24 | 5.0e-04 | Cancer Slope from CAL EPA, RfD assumed from DDT | |
DDT | 0.34 | 0.0005 | RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
dieldrin | 16 | 0.00005 | RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
Endosulfan I | Noncancer | 0.006 | RfD from EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals | |
Endosulfan II | Noncancer | 6.00e-03 | Assumed to be similar to Endosulfan-I | |
Endosulfan Sulfate | Noncancer | 6.0e-03 | Assumed to be similar to Endosulfan-I | |
Endrin | Noncancer | 3.0e-03 | From EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals | |
Endrin aldehyde | Noncancer | 0.003 | Assumed to be similar to Endrin | |
Endrin ketone | Noncancer | 3.0e-03 | Assumed to be similar to Endrin | |
Heptachlor | 4.6 | 5.0e-04 | RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
Heptachlor epoxide | 9.1 | 1.3e-05 | RfD from EPA Region 9 extrapolated from oral | |
Methoxychor | Noncancer | 5.0e-02 | From EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goals | |
Toxaphene | 1.1 | No value available |
CHILDREN | ADULTS | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical | Estimated Cancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Estimated Cancer Risk | Estimated Noncancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Hazard Quotient | Estimated Cancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Estimated Cancer Risk-Child | Estimated Noncancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Hazard Quotient |
alpha-chlordane | 4.85e-07 | - | 5.66e-06 | 9.44e-02 | 6.07e-08 | - | 6.07e-70 | 1.01e-02 |
gamma-chlordane | 4.07e-07 | - | 4.75e-06 | 7.91e-02 | 5.09e-08 | - | 5.09e-07 | 8.48e-03 |
DDE | 1.21e-06 | 4.10e-07 | 1.41e-05 | 2.81e-02 | 1.51e-07 | 5.12e-08 | 1.51e-06 | 3.01e-03 |
DDD | 1.02e-06 | 2.44e-07 | 1.19e-05 | 2.37e-02 | 1.27e-07 | 3.05e-08 | 1.27e-06 | 2.54e-03 |
DDT | 6.89e-06 | 2.34e-06 | 8.04e-05 | 1.61e-01 | 8.61e-07 | 2.93e-07 | 8.61e-06 | 1.72e-02 |
dieldrin | 8.45e-07 | 1.35e-06 | 9.86e-06 | 1.97e-01 | 1.06e-07 | 1.69e-07 | 1.06e-06 | 2.11e-02 |
methoxychlor | 7.36e-10 | - | 8.58e-09 | 1.72e-06 | 9.20e-11 | - | 9.20e-10 | 1.84e-07 |
Sum of Cancer Risks | 4.35e-06 | Hazard Index (Sum of Hazard Quotients) | 5.83e-01 | Sum of Cancer Risks | 5.44e-07 | Sum of Hazard Quotients | 6.25e-02 |
CHILDREN | ADULTS | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical | Estimated Cancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Estimated Cancer Risk | Estimated Noncancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Hazard Quotient | Estimated Cancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Estimated Cancer Risk | Estimated Noncancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Hazard Quotient |
tetrachloroethene | 1.32e-05 | 6.84e-07 | 1.53e-04 | 1.53e-02 | 1.88e-05 | 9.77e-07 | 4.38e-05 | 4.38e-03 |
trichoroethene | 2.79e-04 | 3.07e-06 | 3.26e-03 | 5.43e-01 | 3.99e-04 | 4.39e-06 | 9.32e-04 | 1.55e-01 |
Sum of Cancer Risks | 3.76e-06 | Hazard Index (Sum of Hazard Quotients) | 5.59e-01 | Sum of Cancer Risks | 5.44e-06 | Sum of Hazard Quotients | 1.60e-01 |
Children - 6 years/Adult 3 years | Adults - 9 years | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical | Estimated Noncancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Hazard Quotient | Estimated Noncancer Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day) | Hazard Quotient |
Aldrin | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
alpha BHC |
1.04e-06 |
0.0003 |
1.64e-07 |
0.0001 |
beta BHC | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
delta BHC | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
gamma BHC - Lindane | 1.04e-06 | 0.0035 | 1.64e-07 | 0.0005 |
alpha-chlordane | 4.97e-05 | 0.2485 | 7.89e-06 | 0.0395 |
gamma-chlordane | 7.25e-05 | 0.3624 | 1.15e-05 | 0.05753 |
DDE | 5.18e-06 | 0.0104 | 8.22e-07 | 0.0016 |
DDD | 2.07e-06 | 0.0041 | 3.29e-07 | 0.0007 |
DDT | 8.28e-06 | 0.0166 | 1.32e-06 | 0.0026 |
dieldrin | 2.07e-06 | 0.0414 | 3.29e-07 | 0.0066 |
Endosulfan I | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
Endosulfan II | 1.04e-06 | 0.0002 | 1.64e-07 | 0.00003 |
Endosulfan Sulfate | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
Endrin | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
Endrin aldehyde | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 | 0.00e+00 | 0.0000 |
Endrin ketone | 1.04e-06 | 0.0035 | 1.64e-07 | 0.0005 |
Heptachlor | 5.18e-06 | 0.0104 | 8.22e-07 | 0.0016 |
Heptachlor epoxide | 1.04e-06 | 0.0797 | 1.64e-07 | 0.0126 |
Methoxychor | 1.04e-05 | 0.0021 | 1.64e-06 | 0.0003 |
Toxaphene | No RfD available | |||
Sum of Hazard Quotients | 0.78 | 0.124 |
* Chemicalsthat were not detected or detected infrequently were treated as follows for the dose calculations:
- Aldrin's non-detects were treated as zero because it was not detected in any of the houses.
- alpha-BHC non-detects were treated as one-half of the detection limit because of it was detected in one house.
- beta and delta-BHC non-detects were treated as zero because they were not detected in any of the houses even though they are isomers and a contaminant of gamma-BHC (lindane) and lindane was detected in one house.
- gamma-BHC (lindane) non-detects were treated as one-half of the detection limit because of one detection.
- Endosulfan I non-detects were treated as zero because it was not detected in any of the houses.
- Endosulfan II non-detects were treated as one-half of the detection limit because it was detected in one house..
- Endosulfan sulfate non-detects were treated as zero because they were not detected in any of the houses even though it is a degradation product of endosulfan I and II and endosulfan was detected in one house.
- Endrin and endrin aldehyde non-detects were treated as zero because they were not detected in any of the houses.
- Endrin ketone non-detects were treated as one-half the detection limit because it was detected in one house. Endrin ketone is an impurity and degradation product of endrin but the one detection was not considered significant to treat endrin and endrin aldehyde as non-zero.
- Heptachlor was detected in seven houses so the detection limit or actual reported concentrations were used.
- Heptachlor epoxide non-detects were treated as one-half of the detection limit because it is a breakdown product of heptachlor even though heptachlor epoxide was not detected in any of the houses. Heptachlor was detected in seven houses.
- Methoxychlor non-detects were treated as one-half the detection level because it was detected in one house.
- Toxaphene was not detected but the detection limit was the highest of the chemicals analyzed for at 0.0001 g/kg. Toxaphene is not necessarily used as a pesticide but may be mixed in with lindane and DDT. The detection limits were high compared to the other pesticides analyzed for. High detection levels may mask the presence of toxaphene. Because a reference dose is not available, toxaphene could not be calculated in the hazard quotients and was treated as zero..
Year | Water from Water Treatment Plant x1000 | Percent of Total | Water from Wells x1000 | Percent of Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
1964 | 393963 | 63.3 | 228685 | 36.7 |
1965 | 616736 | 86.2 | 98450 | 13.8 |
1966 | 557726 | 76.9 | 167305 | 23.1 |
1967 | 544866 | 73.3 | 198456 | 26.7 |
1968 | 412882 | 53.3 | 361914 | 46.7 |
1969 | 343028 | 47.8 | 373890 | 52.2 |
1970 | 292933 | 39.3 | 453247 | 60.7 |
1971 | 296446 | 43.0 | 393455 | 57.0 |
1972 | 349917 | 51.5 | 329624 | 48.5 |
1973 | 334524 | 55.5 | 268039 | 44.5 |
1974 | 373585 | 64.5 | 205454 | 35.5 |
1975 | 305828 | 55.9 | 241500 | 44.1 |
1976 | 323799 | 60.2 | 214520 | 39.9 |
1977 | 124155 | 25.0 | 372083 | 75.0 |
1978 | 170093 | 34.9 | 317489 | 65.1 |
1979 | 164764 | 31.4 | 359677 | 68.6 |
1980 | 301300 | 56.7 | 230369 | 43.3 |
1981 | 341464 | 58.9 | 237866 | 41.1 |
1982 | 365965 | 68.1 | 171316 | 31.9 |
1983 | 332063 | 62.1 | 202688 | 37.9 |
1984 | 373572 | 72.0 | 145335 | 28.0 |
Avg | 56.2 | 43.8 | ||
Min | 25.0 | 13.8 | ||
Max | 86.2 | 75.0 |
1978-1981 | 1982 | 1983 |
---|---|---|
Ammonia Nitrate Cyanide Arsenic Cadmium Chromium Copper Lead Mercury Nickel Selenium Silver Zinc Calcium Magnesium Potassium Sodium Boron Chloride Fluoride Residue Filterable(TDS) Specific Conductance Sulfate Bicarbonate Carbonate Alkalinity Total Hardness Trichloroethene |
Constituents in Column 1 Plus Bromoform Bromodichlormethane Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform Dibromochloromethane 1,2-Dichloroethane Methylene Chloride (Dichloromethane) Tetrachloroethene (PCE) 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Trichloroethyene (TCE) 1,2-Dichloroethene Radium-226 Gross Alpha |
Constituents in Column 1 Plus Carbon tetrachloride Chloroform Methylene chloride tetrachloroethene (PCE) 1,1,1-Trichloroethane Trichloroethene Trihalomethanes PCBs BHC Isomers Chlordane DDT Isomers Dieldrin Endrin Heptachlor Heptachlor epoxide Lindane Methoxychlor Toxaphene 2,4-D 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 2,4,5-T PCBs |
Date/ Constituent | Well No.1 | Well No. 3 | Well No. 4 | Well No. 5 | Well No. 6 | Water Treatment Plant | Distribution Line at Base Hospital | Blank | Reference/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Feb 1978 Trichloroethene | 21.4 | 57.6 | < 1.5 | < 1.5 | < 1.5 | -- | Gibson, 1979 | ||
May 1978 Boron | <500 | <500 | <500 | 800.0 | 900.0 | <500 | |||
Aug 1979 Trichloroethene | 28.8 | < 1.5 | < 1.5 | -- | Gibson, 1979 | ||||
Boron | 4600 | 900.0 | 1800.0 | <500 | Bldg 24242 - <500 g/L Boron | ||||
April 1980 Trichloroethene | <1.0 | <1.0 | Gibson, 1980 | ||||||
January 1981 Trichloroethene | <0.5 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, January 1981 | |||||||
Boron | 850.0 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, January 1981 | |||||||
February 1981 Trichloroethene | <0.5 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, February 1981 | |||||||
Boron | 1100.0 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, February 1981 | |||||||
March 1981 Trichloroethene |
<0.5 | <0.5 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, March 1981 | ||||||
May 1981 Trichloroethene |
<0.1 | <0.5 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, May 1981 | ||||||
Boron | 2750 and 800 | 1050.0, 1200, and 1000 | USAF, Armstrong Labs, May 1981 | ||||||
Dec 1981 Trichloroethene |
16 | Gray, 1981 | |||||||
Sept 1982 Trichloroethene |
31.6 | < 0.1 | < 0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Carbon Tetrachloride | 9 | <0.1 | 0.3 | <0.1 | <0.1 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Chloroform | 10.6 | <0.1 | 6.9 | 31.1 | <0.1 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Methylene chloride | <0.2 | 0.4 | <0.2 | 0.5 | <0.3 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Tetrachloroethene | 1.5 | <0.1 | <0.1 | 0.4 | <0.1 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Bromoform | <0.2 | <0.2 | <0.2 | 10.3 | 6.1 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Bromodichloro-methane | <0.1 | <0.2 | 0.5 | 21.9 | 0.3 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Dibromochloro-methane | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | 16.2 | 0.9 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | |||
Boron | 600 | 900.0 | 2300.0 | 500.0 | Brooks AFB, 1982 | ||||
June 1983 Trichloroethene |
66 | <0.2 | Fukumoto, 1983a. Hossain 1983a. |
||||||
July 1983 Trichloroethene |
0.8 | Fukumoto, 1983 Hossain 1984. Well No. 1 used during sampling of hospital. |
|||||||
Carbon Tetrachloride | |||||||||
Chloroform | 15.7 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 16.7 | |||||
Methylene chloride | |||||||||
Tetrachloroethene | |||||||||
Bromoform | <0.2 | <0.2 | <0.2 | 38.4 | |||||
Bromodichloro-methane | 5.6 | <0.1 | <0.1 | 11.2 | |||||
Dibromochloro-methane | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | 13.5 | |||||
Boron | |||||||||
August 1983 Trichloroethene |
33.0 | <0.1 | <0.1 | 2.6 Dining Hall 1.9 Barber Shop |
Glancy, Sept 1983 Well No. 1 used during this sampling of hospital |
||||
Carbon Tetrachloride | 2.8 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | |||||
Chloroform | 1.6 | <0.1 | 13.0 | <0.1 | |||||
Methylene chloride | <0.2 | <0.2 | <0.2 | <0.2 | |||||
Tetrachloroethene | 0.6 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | |||||
Bromoform | <0.2 | <0.2 | 18.9 | <0.2 | |||||
Bromodichloro-methane | <0.1 | <0.1 | 5.8 | <0.1 | |||||
Dibromochloro-methane | <0.1 | <0.1 | 9.8 | <0.1 | |||||
Boron | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||||
Sept 1983 Trichloroethene | 33.6 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | Analytical Data: Hossain, 1983b Flow Data: |
||||
Carbon Tetrachloride | 4.3 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | |||||
Chloroform | 2.1 | <0.1 | 8.2 | 32.4 | |||||
Methylene chloride | |||||||||
Tetrachloroethene | 1.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | <0.1 | |||||
Bromoform | <0.1 | 27.8 | |||||||
Bromodichloro-methane | <0.1 | 18.6 | |||||||
Dibromochloro-methane | <0.1 | 0.6 | |||||||
Boron | <500 | 1300.0 | NR | 900.0 | |||||
Well discontinued in November 1983 | Brooks AFB 1984. |
Well Owners Ids and Well Water Concentrations of Trichloroethene and Tetrachloroethene1 (g/L) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Date Sampled | BPW-6 | PPW2 | PPW1 | PPW3 | PPW4 | PPW5 | PPW6 |
March 10, 1986 | ND2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
March 14, 1986 | - | ND | 3.9 | 0.8 | - | - | - |
April 7, 1986 | - | - | - | - | ND | - | - |
April 8, 1986 | ND | - | - | - | - | - | - |
May 1, 1986 | - | < 0.12 PCE <0.03 | 6.2 PCE <0.03 |
15 PCE 0.14 |
<0.12 PCE <0.03 |
- | - |
Provided bottled water sometime between June 1986 and August 1989.3 | |||||||
July 2, 1986 | 5.0 | ND | 0.1 | 8.9 0.2 |
ND | ||
August 4, 1986 | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | - | - |
Sept.. 3, 1986 | ND | ND | 4.3 and 4.1 | 8.4 | ND | - | - |
October 6, 1986 | 4.1 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 6.2 | - | - |
November 5, 1986 | ND | ND | 4.8 | 7.1 | ND PCE 0.7 |
- | - |
December 1, 1986 | ND | - | ND | - | - | - | - |
January 7, 1987 | ND | ND | - | - | ND | - | - |
February 25, 1987 | ND | ND | 4.4 | 1.1 | ND | - | - |
March 14, 1987 | ND | ND | 4.2 | 7.2 | ND | - | - |
March 23, 1987 | - | - | - | 6.9 | - | - | - |
April 15, 1987 | ND | ND | 6.2 | 8.9 | ND | - | - |
May 5, 1987 | ND | ND | 5.5 | 9.3 | ND | - | - |
June 10, 1987 | ND | ND | 5.0 | 6.9 | ND | - | |
July 23, 1987 | ND | ND | 3.7 | 5.1 | ND PCE 0.6 |
- | - |
August 13, 1987 | ND | 0.7 PCE 0.8 |
5.5 | 6.8 | ND | - | - |
September 23, 1987 | ND | ND | ND | 6.0 | ND | - | - |
October 20, 1987 | ND | ND | ND | 3.7 | ND | - | - |
November 25, 1987 | ND | ND | 1.5 | 4.5 | ND | - | - |
December 16, 1987 | ND | ND | 4.0 | 4.9 | ND | - | - |
January 20, 1988 | ND | ND | 4.2 | 3.9 | ND | - | - |
February 24, 1988 | ND | ND | 3.2 | 4.9 | ND | - | - |
March 9, 1988 | ND | ND | 3.4 | ND | ND | - | - |
April 29, 1988 | ND | ND | ND | 5.7 | ND | - | - |
June 14, 1988 | ND | ND | 4.7 | 4.9 | ND | ND | - |
July 11, 1988 | - | - | - | - | - | 15.0 | - |
July 28, 1988 | ND | ND | 5.6 | 6.0 | ND | 12.4 | - |
November 1, 1988 | ND | ND | 5.9 | - | 0.2 | 17.0 | 9.0 |
March 28, 1989 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 15.0 |
June 15, 1989 | ND | ND | 5.0 | - | ND | 17.0 | 13.0 |
Unknown when or if Tate hooked up to water main.4 | Property sold sometime before August 1989 and became vacant.4 | Hooked up to water main sometime around August 1989.4 | |||||
January 11, 1990 | ND | ND | 4.4 and 3.7 | - | ND | - | - |
Notes:
1. Villeneuve, 1995.
2. ND Indicates a non-detect for PCE
and TCE unless otherwise indicated.
-- indicates that
a sample was not taken
When a concentration
of TCE is presented and one for PCE is not, PCE was sampled for but not detected.
3. Fletcher 1986.
4. Bachand 1989.
DISCUSSION ON CANCER RISKS AND THE AIR FORCE'S RISK ASSESSMENT OF GREEN ACRES MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING
The Air Force completed a risk assessment (RA) for breathing the air inside the Green Acres Housing using indoor air data they collected in 1997. The results of the RA showed that three houses exceeded the 10-4 (1 in 10,000) excess cancer risk. This risk level is above the level U.S. EPA generally finds acceptable [Code of Federal Regulations, Volume 40, Section 300.430(e)(2)(i)(A)(2)]. Excess cancer risk is the added excess risk of one additional cancer case in a population. A 10-4 excess cancer risk means that there is a possibility of one additional cancer case in a population of 10,000 equally exposed people. This one cancer case would be in addition to those cancer cases that would normally occur in an unexposed population. This rate is approximately 1 in 4 or roughly 250,000 people in the population of one million.
The cancer risk assessment is a mathematical approach (also called a quantitative approach) in calculating the potential excess cancer cases in a population. The mathematical approach consists of two parts. The first part is a calculation of how much an individual is exposed to (exposure assessment) and the second part is the toxicity assessment.
The exposure assessment is a calculation of the amount a person is exposed to. This is also called the dose. The dose is the amount of a substance, measured in milligrams (mg) per body weight, measured in kilograms (kg), per day. If a person was taking 100 mg per day of a drug and weighted 100 kg, their dose would be 100mg/100kg per day or 1 mg/kg per day.
To determine dose, we use site-specific and generic data derived from a number of sources. The data includes how much a person weighs, how much he or she ingests in one day, and how much air he or she inhales per minute. This data is specific to each individual. However, we are dealing with many potential individuals when we do a risk assessment. As a result, we look at the population to obtain information on the range of this data. For instance, body weight may vary from a few ounces for a new born baby to 400 pounds for an adult. For an adult, the body weight may range for 90 pounds up to 400 pounds (these values are just examples, people can weigh more or less). Once we know the range, we identify how many people are similar. For instance, how many people weigh 90 pounds, how many people weigh 95 pounds, etc. This is called frequency. From the range and frequency, we can understand the population distribution; in this case body weight. The Air Force's risk assessment for March Air Force Base used 70 kg (154 lbs) which is approximately the population mean for adult weight.
The Air Force risk assessment also used site-specific data. This data included the length of time per year an individual would be in the house; 350 days per year for a full time resident to 11 2/3 days per year for reservists using the houses temporarily. The Air Force also considered people using these houses from 9 and 30 years. The Air Force assumed that the individual was in the house 24 hours per day.
The dose calculations conducted by the Air Force were conservative (i.e., protective of public health) in two ways. First, the actual time people spend in the house is rarely 24 hours per day. The average time is 16 to 18 hours per day. Second, the calculation assumes that the entire dose enters the body. In reality, the dose entering the body is lower. One example of this is the oxygen we breathe. The content of oxygen in the air we breathe is approximately 21% while the amount we exhale is 10 to 15 percent. Hence, only one-quarter to one-half of the oxygen is absorbed. Similarly, chemicals, whether they are inhaled or ingested are not absorbed into the body 100 percent. The risk assessment assumes 100 percent absorption and therefore errs on being protective of human health.
As discussed above, the toxicity assessment is the second part of the risk assessment. Toxicity assessment refers to the evaluation of the available evidence regarding the potential for particular contaminants to cause adverse effects. This evidence is taken from animal studies and epidemiology studies on humans. Most of the human studies come from workers exposed to chemicals while on the job. From these studies, the observed relationship between a lifetime daily dose and observed tumor incidence is fitted to a mathematical model to predict the incidence at low doses. The model used is called the linearized multistage no-threshold model to generate what is sometimes considered an upper bound on cancer risk. Although the actual cancer risk cannot be known, it is thought that it will not exceed the upper bound, might be lower, and could be zero. The result from this model is the cancer slope factor or also known as potency factor or unit risk factor. This value is the plausible upper bound on excess lifetime risk of cancer per unit of dose (National Research Council 1994).
Risk assessment is characterized by uncertainty. Although scientists have learned much about environmental contaminants, limited data and knowledge still require researchers to make assumptions throughout the risk assessment process. As a result, the risk assessment/quantitative approach is only one-half of the cancer evaluation. The other half is the qualitative assessment. Qualitative assessments evaluate the quality and assumptions of the data that go into the mathematical calculations and the factors that determine if a substance poses a carcinogenic risk. These factors include the following:
- Weight-of-evidence approach,
- Mechanistic inference and species concordance,
- Route specificity,
- Role of epidemiologic data,
- Susceptible populations,
- Structure-activity relationships, and
- Chemical interactions.
These factors are discussed in detail in ATSDR's Cancer Policy Framework available on the web at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/cancer.html or from ATSDR at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). In short, these factors include the quality of the toxicity studies (choice of appropriate control groups, sufficient number of animals, administration route, dose selection, tumor types), the relevance of animal data to humans, human studies (usually people exposed to chemicals at work at places like pesticide plants), long-term animal bioassays, short-term tests, and how the chemical moves through the body at the molecular and cell levels.
From a review of the qualitative and quantitative data for the pesticides at March AFB, we concluded that the cancer risk probably does not exceed the acceptable risks determined by EPA.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON DDT (INCLUDING DDD AND DDE) AND DIELDRIN
DDT, DDD, AND DDE
Information on inhalation exposures comes from studies of workers occupationally
exposed to DDT. The primary exposure routes were likely inhalation and dermal
(skin contact). Absorption of DDT from the lungs may not have been significant,
and ingestion of trapped particles of DDT in the lungs is more likely (ATSDR
1994b).
From studies in workers exposed to high levels of DDT, the central nervous system seems to be the primary target of DDT toxicity. Studies in animals support this finding, and also suggest that the liver and reproductive system may also be affected by exposure to DDT. These animal studies typically involve chronic oral exposure to high levels of DDT. Animal studies indicate that exposure to high levels of DDT may cause liver tumors, but studies in occupationally exposed workers do not indicate an association between DDT exposure and cancer (ATSDR 1994b). The concentrations of DDT in indoor air at Green Acres Housing would result in much lower exposure levels than those seen in human and animal studies.
The lowest dose observed in animal studies where no adverse health effects were seen was more than 500 times higher than the highest dose estimated from exposure to DDT in Green Acres indoor air. The animal study involved an oral route of exposure, while Green Acres estimated inhalation exposure. Animal experimental data show that DDT is poorly absorbed via the lungs (ATSDR 1994b). For this evaluation, we assumed that DDT is absorbed in the lungs to the same degree as the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, our exposure scenario overestimates the true exposure to DDT in Green Acres indoor air. Given our exposure scenario, health effects are unlikely from exposure to DDT, DDD, and DDE in the Green Acres Military Family Housing.
DIELDRIN
To address the lack of inhalation studies, levels of dieldrin in indoor
air were estimated that would result in an equivalent dose of an oral MRL for
noncancer effects. A study investigating absorption of aldrin, a compound similar
in chemical structure to dieldrin, in isolated perfused rabbit lungs indicated
that absorption via the lungs occurred (ATSDR 1993). This indicated that inhalation
is an important exposure route. Studies on the oral route of exposure indicate
that dieldrin is rapidly absorbed and detected in the blood, liver and body
fat (ATSDR 1993). Although experimental data on the inhalation route is limited,
we assumed that there were no significant differences in metabolism and subsequent
distribution in body tissues when dieldrin is inhaled versus ingested. Although
differences in metabolism and absorption between routes of exposure are likely,
from a review of the toxicological data available for dieldrin, we believe that
the differences are minimal. Since dieldrin has been detected in similar organ
systems from oral and inhalation exposure, we assumed that relatively equivalent
exposure levels by inhalation or ingestion would result in roughly equivalent
internal doses. Therefore, ATSDR estimated air comparison values based upon
the oral MRLs for inhalation exposures to adults, children and infants that
would be unlikely to produce adverse health effects. This value was used in
the evaluation in Section II.