wrbones
11-03-02, 02:21 PM
I just had to put this in here! LOL
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
USMC MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT
(a/k/a PARRIS ISLAND MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT)
PARRIS ISLAND, BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
EVALUATION OF CONTAMINATION
AND EXPOSURE SITUATIONS
ATSDR conducted a site visit of the depot on June 19-21, 1995. The purpose of the visit was to collect information necessary for developing a public health assessment. Our focus is to determine if people could come in contact with site contaminants at levels posing health hazards and, if needed, to recommend actions to stop or prevent such exposures from occurring. People can be exposed to contaminants if they breathe, eat, drink or have skin (dermal) contact with substances containing chemical contaminants. ATSDR does not evaluate biological contamination.
ATSDR staff inspected site conditions at the MCRD, considering the nature and extent of environmental contamination at each site. We looked at the site's proximity to populated areas and the types of human activities that could lead to exposures (exposure pathways). We concluded that there is little opportunity for human contact with site contaminants. However, we were concerned that chemicals could enter the wetland areas and bioaccumulate in edible fish and shellfish species. Two areas that posed the greatest likelihood for concern are the Causeway Landfill (Site 3) and the Rifle Range berm and impact areas because people harvest and consume seafood from these chemically contaminated areas (Figure 2).
Additionally, we looked at groundwater for possible exposures. However, groundwater contamination is not a health concern because the water is not used for domestic purposes. Drinking water is supplied to MCRD by the Beaufort/Jasper Sewer and Water Authority (4). Therefore, no one is exposed to contaminants found in groundwater.
I. NO APPARENT PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS
ATSDR concluded that two exposure situations present no apparent public health hazard: 1) fish and shellfish contamination near the Causeway Landfill (Site 3) and 2) shellfish contamination near the Rifle Range. We discussed our concern of contaminated shellfish with Marine Corps personnel and representatives from federal and state agencies. Several studies addressing the concern had already been undertaken by the Department of Defense (DoD) in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sufficient data were collected to determine what, if any, health threat exists for people who eat fish and shellfish harvested from the estuaries bordering the MCRD.
All contaminants detected were initially screened using ATSDR Health Comparison Values. Media concentrations less than ATSDR's comparison values are unlikely to pose a health threat. Those chemicals with concentrations greater than the comparison values were evaluated further. Only PCBs in fish/shellfish at the Causeway Landfill and lead in oysters at the Rifle Range areas were above comparison values thus, requiring further evaluation to determine the likelihood of public health hazard. However, none of the contaminants detected in fish or shellfish from these areas were at levels of health concern. Therefore, based on chemical contaminant levels, consumption of fish or shellfish from the areas near the Causeway Landfill and the Rifle Range are safe for recreational consumers. We present details of our finding below.
A. Fish and Shellfish Contamination at Causeway Landfill (Site 3)
Based on the 1993 chemical analysis of fin fish and shellfish collected from both the impoundment and the tidal marsh at the Causeway Landfill, ATSDR determined that consumption of seafood by recreational harvesters is safe.
The 0.8 mile long Causeway Landfill (Site 3) contains a two-lane gravel road that connects Parris Island and Horse Island. It was constructed in 1960 of solid waste and fill dirt deposited across the tidal march of the Broad River and Ribbon Creek (Figure 2). It was the primary MCRD solid waste disposal area from 1960 to 1972 (except for an inactive period from 1966 to 1968). Domestic trash was the bulk of the waste disposed in the 10 acre site. Lesser amounts of construction debris, solid paint waste, empty pesticide containers, and mercury amalgam were also discarded along with some solvent and beryllium wastes, and PCB-contaminated oil (8). During the construction of the Causeway, uncovered waste were burned nightly. In the mid-1970s the Causeway was renovated to improve the culverts connecting the partial impounded saltwater pond with the tidal marsh thus ensuring some tidal flow and water interaction (8).
ATSDR reviewed results from MCRD's analysis of crabs, clams, oysters, mullet, and flounder as presented in the Extended Site Inspection Report Causeway Landfill, August 1993. This thorough report details the Causeway Landfill site history, sampling activities and analytical results. Samples were collected from both sides of the Causeway Landfill, the impoundment and the tidal marsh (Figure 3). Sufficient data are included to assess possible health threats to people who eat seafood harvested from these areas bordering the landfill. ATSDR concludes these species are safe to eat by recreational harvesters. It is estimated that 25 people would be fishing at this location. (See Appendix for Assumptions and Methodology).
Because the landfill has no impermeable cap nor leachate collection system, it is not known whether contaminant levels in fish and shellfish will increase over time. Therefore, ATSDR recommends MCRD monitor contaminant levels in fish and shellfish to ensure that edible fish and shellfish species remain safe to eat by recreational harvesters. We suggest that monitoring occur at least every five years based on the estimated longest tour of duty. Because retirees and military personnel are known to fish and crab in the impoundment area recreational fishing assumptions were used. It is unlikely that anyone subsistence fishes on the depot.
PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
USMC MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT
(a/k/a PARRIS ISLAND MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT)
PARRIS ISLAND, BEAUFORT COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
EVALUATION OF CONTAMINATION
AND EXPOSURE SITUATIONS
ATSDR conducted a site visit of the depot on June 19-21, 1995. The purpose of the visit was to collect information necessary for developing a public health assessment. Our focus is to determine if people could come in contact with site contaminants at levels posing health hazards and, if needed, to recommend actions to stop or prevent such exposures from occurring. People can be exposed to contaminants if they breathe, eat, drink or have skin (dermal) contact with substances containing chemical contaminants. ATSDR does not evaluate biological contamination.
ATSDR staff inspected site conditions at the MCRD, considering the nature and extent of environmental contamination at each site. We looked at the site's proximity to populated areas and the types of human activities that could lead to exposures (exposure pathways). We concluded that there is little opportunity for human contact with site contaminants. However, we were concerned that chemicals could enter the wetland areas and bioaccumulate in edible fish and shellfish species. Two areas that posed the greatest likelihood for concern are the Causeway Landfill (Site 3) and the Rifle Range berm and impact areas because people harvest and consume seafood from these chemically contaminated areas (Figure 2).
Additionally, we looked at groundwater for possible exposures. However, groundwater contamination is not a health concern because the water is not used for domestic purposes. Drinking water is supplied to MCRD by the Beaufort/Jasper Sewer and Water Authority (4). Therefore, no one is exposed to contaminants found in groundwater.
I. NO APPARENT PUBLIC HEALTH HAZARDS
ATSDR concluded that two exposure situations present no apparent public health hazard: 1) fish and shellfish contamination near the Causeway Landfill (Site 3) and 2) shellfish contamination near the Rifle Range. We discussed our concern of contaminated shellfish with Marine Corps personnel and representatives from federal and state agencies. Several studies addressing the concern had already been undertaken by the Department of Defense (DoD) in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Sufficient data were collected to determine what, if any, health threat exists for people who eat fish and shellfish harvested from the estuaries bordering the MCRD.
All contaminants detected were initially screened using ATSDR Health Comparison Values. Media concentrations less than ATSDR's comparison values are unlikely to pose a health threat. Those chemicals with concentrations greater than the comparison values were evaluated further. Only PCBs in fish/shellfish at the Causeway Landfill and lead in oysters at the Rifle Range areas were above comparison values thus, requiring further evaluation to determine the likelihood of public health hazard. However, none of the contaminants detected in fish or shellfish from these areas were at levels of health concern. Therefore, based on chemical contaminant levels, consumption of fish or shellfish from the areas near the Causeway Landfill and the Rifle Range are safe for recreational consumers. We present details of our finding below.
A. Fish and Shellfish Contamination at Causeway Landfill (Site 3)
Based on the 1993 chemical analysis of fin fish and shellfish collected from both the impoundment and the tidal marsh at the Causeway Landfill, ATSDR determined that consumption of seafood by recreational harvesters is safe.
The 0.8 mile long Causeway Landfill (Site 3) contains a two-lane gravel road that connects Parris Island and Horse Island. It was constructed in 1960 of solid waste and fill dirt deposited across the tidal march of the Broad River and Ribbon Creek (Figure 2). It was the primary MCRD solid waste disposal area from 1960 to 1972 (except for an inactive period from 1966 to 1968). Domestic trash was the bulk of the waste disposed in the 10 acre site. Lesser amounts of construction debris, solid paint waste, empty pesticide containers, and mercury amalgam were also discarded along with some solvent and beryllium wastes, and PCB-contaminated oil (8). During the construction of the Causeway, uncovered waste were burned nightly. In the mid-1970s the Causeway was renovated to improve the culverts connecting the partial impounded saltwater pond with the tidal marsh thus ensuring some tidal flow and water interaction (8).
ATSDR reviewed results from MCRD's analysis of crabs, clams, oysters, mullet, and flounder as presented in the Extended Site Inspection Report Causeway Landfill, August 1993. This thorough report details the Causeway Landfill site history, sampling activities and analytical results. Samples were collected from both sides of the Causeway Landfill, the impoundment and the tidal marsh (Figure 3). Sufficient data are included to assess possible health threats to people who eat seafood harvested from these areas bordering the landfill. ATSDR concludes these species are safe to eat by recreational harvesters. It is estimated that 25 people would be fishing at this location. (See Appendix for Assumptions and Methodology).
Because the landfill has no impermeable cap nor leachate collection system, it is not known whether contaminant levels in fish and shellfish will increase over time. Therefore, ATSDR recommends MCRD monitor contaminant levels in fish and shellfish to ensure that edible fish and shellfish species remain safe to eat by recreational harvesters. We suggest that monitoring occur at least every five years based on the estimated longest tour of duty. Because retirees and military personnel are known to fish and crab in the impoundment area recreational fishing assumptions were used. It is unlikely that anyone subsistence fishes on the depot.