Health Consultation Kenosha Iron and Metal Site

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, asks the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, for health consultation,at the Kenosha Iron and Metal site.

254308

1994-05-19 00:00:00.0

WID988574257

Kenosha Iron and metal

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Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services

Administrative Record

Emergency Response & Removal

text

Public health

Health threat

Kenosha Iron and Metal Site

Environmental reporting

Midwest

Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

City of Kenosha

1994-03-01

Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

City of Kenosha

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eng

Kenosha, Wisconsin

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EPA Region 5 Records Ctr.

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HEALTH CONSULTATION
KENOSHA IRON AND METAL SITE
KENOSHA, WISCONSIN
CBRCUS No. WID988574257

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Prepared by
Wiiconsin Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Health
Under Cooperative Agreement with the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF ISSUES

In March, 1994, a solid waite specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(WDNR) requested a public health consultation for the Kenosna Iron and Metal Company site
from the Wisconsin Division of Health (WDOH). WDNR asked for comments on the degree of
human health threat tliat this site poses in order to support specific removal actions and to explain
the health implications of contamination at the site to nearby residents. Simultaneously, Region
V, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asked the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) for a health consultation on the site.
The site is an approximately 1.3 acre area located in the City of Kcnosha, Wisconsin. The site
was used for 40 years as a scrap yard and recycling operation. During operations, batteries and
asbestos-containing materials were reportedly stored on the property, A 2SO gallon underground
tank, used to store dieiel fuel, was also present on the site at one time. Operations on the site
ceased in approximately 1988, and two buildings were demolished in 1990. In 1988, the City of
Keuosha commissioned two separate studies of the site which included chemical analysts of onsite samples of soil and debris. (6) WDNR analyzed soil samples from the site and adjacent
properties in September 1993.(8)
Two soil borings analyzed in the 1988 study revealed lead concentrations of 1,400 and 2,900 ppm
at 2.5 feet below the surface at locations within the site boundaries ("on-site"). PCBs were also
found in four samples, also at 2.5 feet below the surface, with the highest concentration of 102
ppm. (6) Also in 1938, a separate study revealed that debris on the site, including fragments of
insulation, contains chrysotile asbestos. (S)
The 1993 WDNR investigation found on-site surface soil load concentrations up to 3,380 ppm.
(8) On-site PCB concentrations of up to 1,140 ppm were found in surface soils, and chromium
concentrations were found to exceed 34,000 ppm in two locations. The 1993 investigation was
also expanded to include adjacent properties. Soil from one back yard adjacent to the site (1993
25th Ave.) contained 1070 ppm of lead and that from another (2007 55th Ave.) contained 61.6
ppm of cadmium, all other soil metal concentrations were not of health concern. (8)
The site is located in a residential area of older homes with the back yards of approximately seven
home* directly bordering it on the north and west. Two schools are located within a block of the
site boundary and children frequently cross the site on their way to school. The site is not
vegetated and paths are on bare dirt. No fences delineate the site boundaries, and there arc no
barriers between the yards and the site. When the on site buildings were demolished, warning
signs were posted along the site boundaries. However, neighborhood residents report that
children and teenagers frequently ignore the warnings by playing and loitering on the property. (8)
Surface soil on the site is sandy with fragment* of metal, ceramics, coal and miscellaneous debris.
Under the surface soil lies one to several feet of clean sand and under that is a layer of stiff clay.
Rainwater appears to drain north off the site into nearby back yards. All nearby residents are

served by a municipal water system. (8)
DISCUSSION

PCB concentrations in surface soils in some area* of the site are very high. Although PCB binds
tightly to toil and is unlikely to be transported into nearby yards, transport oould occur through
adherence of PCB-contamiaated soil to the shoes of individuals trespassing on the site. In
addition, individuals loitering or playing on the site may be exposed through direct contact with
contaminated soil. In this scenario, the major route of PCB exposure would be dermal contact
with soil and inadvertant soil ingestion.
In experimental animals, PCB exposure has been associated with the induction of various types of
cancer and decreased immune system function. Chloracne, a skin condition characterized by acnelike lesions, has also been noted in humans accidentally exposed to large PCB doses. (4) Children
playing or trespassing on the site may be exposed to PCBs on the she either through skin contact
or incidental ingestion. Individuals regularly exposed to soils at the site, including these children,
will suffer an excess risk of developing cancer of compromised immune system function.
Chloracne development is not thought to be a risk at the site.
In previous studies, continuous exposure to soil containing lead concentrations exceeding 1,000
ppm has been associated with increased blood lead concentrations of 5 ^ug/dL (7) The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers children with blood lead concentrations
over 10 Mg/dL to be at risk for toxic effects and recommends that appropriate interventions be
taken with these children. (7) Older homes, such as those near the KIMC site, often contain leadbased paint on walls and woodwork. Children in homes where lead-based paint was used often
have blood lead concentrations exceeding 5 Mg/dL (7) Exposure to soil containing over 1,000
ppm lead may add an additional S Mg/dL to the child's blood lead concentration, leading to blood
lead concentrations over the concentration at which the Centers for Disease Control recommends
that intervention activities begin. This risk is especially great for children under five years of age
who may ingest more soil than older children.
Animal and human studies indicate that lead exposures leading to blood lead concentrations over
10 pig/dL could result in changes to the blood forming system, blood pressure, motor
coordination and response to visual stimuli. These heahh effects may persist even after exposures
have ceased. (4)
Chromium in soil would not pose a hazard if the chromium at this site exists primarily in the
metallic or trivalent form. (3) However, ingestion of cadmium-contaminated soil over long
periods of time can result in kidney damage. Cadmium can also accumulate in leafy vegetables
grown on cadmium-contaminated soil. (2)

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CONCLUSIONS

Ingestion of lead and cadmium and ingestion or dermal absorption of PCBs at the
Kenosha Iron and Metals Company pose a current public health hazard. The site is
accessible to children who live nearby, and dermal exposure to lead and PCBs through
playing in the toil or tracking it into honws could mult in adverse health affects.
Scrap metal and other debris on the site may pose a physical hazard to trespassers.
Runoff from the site may be responsible for high lead concentrations in back yards
adjacent to tha aite.
RECOMMENDATIONS

Completely restrict public access to the site with a barrier likely to prevent children from
coming in contact with contaminated toil.
Prevent contact with lead and cadmium contaminated soils in back yards. Advise owners
of contaminated property not to consume home-grown vegetables where appropriate.
Efforts should be made to control runoff from the site in order that nearby yards are not
affected.
Blood lead concentrations should be measured among children, especially those under five
years of age, and pregnant women Hying in homes adjacent to the site. If blood lead
concentrationi in theae children exceed 10 Mg/dL, home evaluations should be performed
and remedial activities should be accelerated.
NEED FOR FOLLOW-UP HEALTH ACTIVITIES
The Wisconsin Division of Health and ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel
reviewed the data on this site on April 20,1994. This review was conducted to determine the
need for more research or education about health-related concerns. ATSDR and the WDOH
agreed that blood lead analyses should be offered to children, especially those under five years of
age, living in homes adjacent to the site.
In May, 1994, WDNR and WDOH delivered letters to individuals owning property adjacent to
the site. The letters explained hazards at the site and recommended that children under six years
of age living in these homes obtain blood lead analyses. The letter also included information on
free blood lead testing offered by Kenosha County and a local telephone number to call for more
information. The Kenoaha County Health Department ofieri follow-up blood lead testing for any
child whose blood lead concentration exceeds 10 Mg/dL and environmental assessments for
children whose blood lead concentrations exceed 20

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After EPA cleanup options are formalized, ft public meeting may be held in the aria At this
meeting, DOH and Kenosha County representatives will explain the blood lead analysis
procedures.
The individual whole back yard soil contains high cadmium concentrations will be advised not to
grow vegetables for consumption in their back yards. This advice will be given upon personal
contact with the specific resident. Hazards of PCB exposure will be explained to the community
at the public meeting. No further actions related to cadmium or FOB exposure are recommended
at this time.
WDOH will also inform and update local health care providers when information requests are
received.

REFERENCES
(1)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Impact of Lead-Contaminated Soil
on Public Health. Atlanta, GA, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service, 1992.

(2)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. lexicological profile for cadmium
(update). Atlanta, GA, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
1993.

(3)

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for chromium
(update). Atlanta, GA, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,
1993.

(4)

Agency for Tone Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological profile for selected
PCBs (update). Atlanta. GA, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health
Service, 1993.

(5)

Carnow Conibear and Associates. Asbestos Inspection Report for Kenosha Iron and
Metal Company. No Location: CCA, 1988.

(6)

Foth and Van Dyke Inc. Environmental Site Assessment, Kenosha Iron and Metals Co.
Property, Kenosha, WI. Green Buy, WI: Foth and Van Dyke, 1988.

(7)

U.S. Centers for Disease Contol. Preventing lead poinsoning in young children. Atlanta,
GA: CDC. 1991

(S)

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Kenosha Iron and Metal Site Investigation:
Preliminary Report. Madison, WI: WDNR, 1994.

PRFPARF.RS OF THE REPORT
Jay Goldring. Toxicologist

Division of Health
Wisconsin Department of Health A Social Services
ATSDR SENIOR REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Louise Fabinski
Regional Service*
Region V
Office of the Assistant Administrator

ATSDR TECHNICAL PROJECT OFFICER
William Gi will

State Programs Section
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation

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CERTIFICATION

The Kenosha Iron and Metal Site health consultation was prepared by the Wisconsin Division of
Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Regiitry (ATSDR) Tt in in accordance with approved methodology and procedures existing at
the time the health consultation was begun.

Technical Project Officer. SPS, RPB, DHAC

The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, has reviewed this health consultation,
and concurs with its findings.

Chief, RPB, DHAC, ATSDR