Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard Public Health Assessment Final Release

Tables

Table 1. Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards at Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard Site Site Description/Waste Investigation Corrective Activities or Evaluation of Public Disposal History Results/Environmental Current Status Health Hazard Monitoring Results

Area 1-Dry Dock Area 1-Dry Dock Sediments Surface Water: Metals and volatile organic Based on available analytical No public health hazards are Sediments comprises the bottom compounds (VOCs) have been detected in data and file information, the associated with Area 1. Only sediments around the Yard’s surface water samples near the drydocks. extent of surface water and one of the contaminants active shipyard. Historically, None of these contaminants were found at sediment contamination at Area discovered exceeded ATSDR’s waste was discharged levels above Agency for Toxic Substances 1 has not been determined. A CV for children. Children would directly to Curtis Creek in the and Disease Registry (ATSDR) comparison multimedia sampling event will not be near the dry dock, vicinity of the two drydocks. values (CVs). be required. This information therefore an exposure pathway Sediment: Metals, semivolatile organic will need to be obtained in order is not present for children. No compounds (SVOCs), VOCs, pesticides and to fully characterize the site and contaminants were found that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been evaluate possible remedial exceeded ATSDR CVs for detected in sediment samples near the actions. adults. The public had limited drydocks. Several of the contaminants were access to the contaminated found at levels above ATSDR CVs for surface water/sediment in the children. Only one of these contaminants, past. Access restrictions have however, was found at a level above the also been implemented to ATSDR CV for adults. prevent any current or potential future exposures.

Sites 4 & 7-The Salvage Sites 4-the Salvage Lot, and Surface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, VOCs, The remedial work for Sites 4 No apparent public health Lot and Former Burn Pit 7-the Former Burn Pit are dioxin/furans, pesticides and PCBs have and 7 will be performed hazards are associated with grouped together because of been detected in surface soil samples near concurrently, because of their Sites 4 & 7. Two of the their close proximity, similar the salvage lot and former burn pit. Two of close proximity to one another contaminants discovered site histories, and waste the contaminants were found at levels above and similar waste histories. exceeded ATSDR’s CV for characteristics. They are ATSDR CVs for children, two were found at Based on available analytical children. Children would not be located in the northwestern levels above ATSDR CVs for adults, and four data and file information, the found near the salvage lot and section of the Yard along the exceeded EPA’s soil screening levels. extent of surface and former burn pit, therefore an facility’s northern boundary. Subsurface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, VOCs, subsurface soil contamination exposure pathway is not present The area around Sites 4 and dioxin/furans, pesticides and PCBs have at Sites 4 & 7 has not been for children. Three contaminants 7 was reportedly used as a been detected in subsurface soil samples determined. This information were found that exceeded disposal site for unspecified near the salvage lot and former burn pit. Two will need to be obtained in order ATSDR CVs for adults, but none materials. Site 4 has been an of the contaminants were found at levels to fully characterize the site and of these exceeded health active scrap metal storage above ATSDR CVs for children, three were evaluate possible remedial guidelines. The public had

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Site Site Description/Waste Investigation Corrective Activities or Evaluation of Public Disposal History Results/Environmental Current Status Health Hazard Monitoring Results yard since its initial found at levels above ATSDR CVs for adults, actions. limited access to the construction in the early and four exceeded the US Environmental contaminated 1940's. Site 7 was used as a Protection Agency’s (EPA) soil screening surface/subsurface soil in the burn pit from the late 1940's levels. past. Access restrictions have through 1963. The former also been implemented to burn pit was reportedly used prevent any current or potential for the disposal and future exposures. intermittent incineration of liquids, solid waste, oil, batteries, scrap metal, and asbestos-containing metals.

Sites 5, 6, & 11- Creosote Sites 5, 6, & 11 are located Surface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, VOCs, PCBs The remedial work for Sites 5, Based on a review of site data Stained Soils, Cosmoline in the southern portion of the and pesticides have been detected in surface 6, & 11 will be performed and potential exposure Discharge Area, and Yard along the industrialized soil samples near Sites 5, 6, & 11. Two of the concurrently, based on their scenarios, no apparent public Spent Abrasive Blast Grit waterfront in an area contaminants were found at levels above close proximity to one another health hazards are expected. dedicated to Aids to ATSDR CVs for adults. and similar waste histories. Two contaminants were found Navigation (ATN) storage Subsurface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, and VOCs Based on available analytical that exceeded ATSDR CVs for and the Paint Shop have been detected in subsurface soil data and file information, the adults, but none of these Complex. The ATN (buoy) samples near Sites 5, 6, & 11. Two of the extent of surface and exceeded health guidelines. The storage yard and Paint Shop contaminants were found at levels above subsurface soil contamination public had limited access to the Complex was constructed in ATSDR CVs for adults. at Sites 5, 6, & 11 has not been contaminated the early 1940's. During this determined. A multimedia surface/subsurface soil in the time, timbers were reportedly sampling event will be required. past. Access restrictions have treated with creosote and This information will need to be also been implemented to stored along the shoreline at obtained in order to fully prevent any current or potential Site 5. However, there is no characterize the site and future exposures. information to indicate that a evaluate possible remedial large-scale creosote actions. application process occurred at the Yard. Throughout the active history of the ATN (buoy) storage area, the shells of the stored buoys have been treated with cosmoline at Site 6. Open air blasting with an abrasive grit material was conducted to

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Site 8- Former Incinerator The Former Incinerator was Surface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, dioxin/furans, Based on available analytical No apparent public health located in the northeastern pesticides and PCBs have been detected in data and file information, the hazards are associated with Site corner of the Yard, directly surface soil samples near the former extent of surface and 8. Several contaminants were south of the facility’s incinerator. Five of these contaminants were subsurface soil contamination found that exceeded ATSDR northern property boundary. found at levels above ATSDR CVs for adults. at Site 8 has not been CVs for adults, but none of It was used to burn trash. Subsurface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, pesticides determined. A multimedia these exceeded health According to a facility and PCBs have been detected in subsurface sampling event will be required. guidelines. The public had representative, the soil samples near the former incinerator. Six This information will need to be limited access to the incinerator was constructed of these contaminants were found at levels obtained in order to fully contaminated in the 1930's to 1940's and above ATSDR CVs for adults. characterize the site and surface/subsurface soil in the demolished in 1996. evaluate possible remedial past. Access restrictions have actions. also been implemented to prevent any current or potential future exposures.

Site 9-Reported Bilge Slop Site 9 is located in the Surface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, VOCs, Based on available analytical No apparent public health Area northeastern portion of the pesticides and PCBs have been detected in data and file information, the hazards are associated with Site Yard along Arundel Cove. surface soil samples near the reported bilge extent of surface and 9. Several of the contaminants From at least the 1940s slop area. Several of the contaminants were subsurface soil contamination discovered exceeded ATSDR’s through the 1950s, and found at levels above ATSDR CVs for at Site 9 has not been CV for children. Children would possibly into the 1960s, Site children. Few of these contaminants, determined. A multimedia not be near the bilge slop area, 9 consisted of an all-purpose however, were found at levels above ATSDR sampling event will be required. therefore an exposure pathway storage and work area used CVs for adults. This information will need to be is not present for children. Few as a dump, scrap metal yard, Subsurface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, VOCs, obtained in order to fully contaminants were found that and possible bilge dump pesticides and PCBs have been detected in characterize the site and exceeded ATSDR CVs for area. Since the 1970s, the subsurface soil samples near the reported evaluate possible remedial adults and none of these site has been used for bilge slop area. Several of the contaminants actions. exceeded health guidelines. The vehicle parking. were found at levels above ATSDR CVs for public had limited access to the children. Few of these contaminants, contaminated however, were found at levels above ATSDR surface/subsurface soil in the CVs for adults. past. Access restrictions have also been implemented to prevent any current or potential

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Site Site Description/Waste Investigation Corrective Activities or Evaluation of Public Disposal History Results/Environmental Current Status Health Hazard Monitoring Results future exposures.

Site 13-Alanite Acid Tanks Site 13 encompasses two Surface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, pesticides and Site 13 is a candidate for No apparent public health 800-gallon steel PCBs have been detected in surface soil preparing and submitting a hazards are associated with Site underground storage tanks samples near the alanite acid tanks. Several Decision Document (DD) 13. Several of the contaminants (USTs) which were of the contaminants were found at levels requesting that the site be discovered exceeded ATSDR’s abandoned in-place in above ATSDR CVs for children. Only one of removed from the Yard’s CV for children. Children would November 1992. These these contaminants, however, was found at a Comprehensive Environmental not be near the alanite acid USTs were formerly used for level above ATSDR’s CV for adults. Response, Compensation, and tanks; therefore an exposure the accumulation of waste Subsurface Soil: Metals, SVOCs, and VOCs Liability Act (CERCLA) pathway is not present for rinse water generated from have been detected in subsurface soil inventory. If Site 13 is not children. One contaminant was an alanite (or hydrofluoric samples near the alanite acid tanks. Several removed from the CERCLA found that exceeded ATSDR acid) cleaning process. They of the contaminants were found at levels inventory, a Remedial CVs for adults and none are located south of Building above ATSDR CVs for children. Only one of Investigation/Feasibility Study exceeded health guidelines. The 78, in a highly industrialized these contaminants, however, was found at a (RI/FS) would need to be public had limited access to the portion of the Yard. level above ATSDR’s CV for adults. conducted. contaminated No apparent public health surface/subsurface soil in the hazards are associated with past. Access restrictions have Site 13. Several of the also been implemented to contaminants discovered prevent any current or potential exceeded ATSDR’s CV for future exposures. children. Children would not be near the alanite acid tanks, therefore an exposure pathway is not present for children. One contaminant was found that exceeded ATSDR CVs for adults and none exceeded health guidelines. The public had limited access to the contaminated surface/subsurface soil in the past. Access restrictions have also been implemented to prevent any current or potential future exposures.

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Source: TetraTech, 2002. Key: ATN Aids to Navigation ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CV comparison value DD Decision Document EPA US Environmental Protection Agency SVOC Semivolatile Organic Compound PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyls RI/FS Remedial Investigation/Feasability Study VOC Volatile Organic Compound UST Underground Storage Tank

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Table 2. Exposure Pathways Evaluation Table Exposure Pathway Elements Source of Environmental Point of Route of Potentially Pathway Name Comments Contamination Medium Exposure Exposure Exposed Population Potential Exposure Pathways Surface Soil Certain areas of the Yard Surface soil Yard source Dermal contact Yard personnel, Past, Current, and Future: where releases areas and incidental recreational Exposure to contaminated contaminated soil with ingestion fishermen, and surface soil at the Yard is volatile organic trespassers largely prevented because the compounds (VOCs), semi- majority of the land’s surface volatile organic is paved, covered with compounds (SVOCs), vegetation, fenced, and/or lies metals, pesticides and in restricted land use polychlorinated biphenyls locations. Workers, (PCBs) recreational fishermen, and trespassers may have contacted low levels of contaminants in surface soil. Sporadic contact with and/or incidental ingestion of the contaminants detected in the surface soil is not expected to have resulted in harmful effects.

Surface Water/ Yard source areas. Surface water and Curtis Creek and Dermal contact Workers, recreational Past, Current, and Future: No Sediment Contaminants include sediment of Curtis Arundel Cove and incidental fishermen, and apparent public health hazard VOCs, SVOCs, PCBs, and Creek and Arundel ingestion trespassers. is expected for this pathway. metals. Cove. The creek is not used for drinking water, nor is it used for swimming or wading, and the waterways have restricted accessibility. Sporadic contact with contaminants at the levels detected in the surface water/sediment is not expected to result in adverse health effects.

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Exposure Pathway Elements

Consumption of Local Yard-related contaminants Local fish and Consumption of Ingestion Local anglers and Past, Current, and Future: Fish/Crab that have been released to crab populations locally-caught their families Fish and crab are not local waterways or to the fish and crab expected to accumulate ground surface. harmful levels of site-related contaminants. People who eat these foods in a varied diet are therefore not likely to experience ill effects. Recreational fisherman are encouraged to follow Maryland Department of the Environment fish consumption advisories.