[tceblog] Neil Fischbein: Controversy over North Brunswick Township High School risk report (NJ)

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Posted by Neil Fischbein:
Controversy over North Brunswick Township High School  risk report (NJ)
http://www.tceblog.com/posts/1202452837.shtml


   The ATSDR has delivered [1]yet another report concluding that a
   contamination site poses "no apparent public health risk." Just toss
   it in the pile. Feel free to roll your eyes. (For those who don't
   know, [2]ATSDR is notorious for producing these reports)

     There is "no apparent public health risk" at the North Brunswick
     Township High School and its surrounding areas associated with the
     soil contamination found in 2003, according to a preliminary public
     health assessment.
     Last Thursday, township officials and representatives from the New
     Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services and the U.S.
     Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry held a meeting to
     discuss the remediation project that resulted from the expansion of
     the high school in 2003. The primary concern for the school,
     Veterans Park, Judd Elementary School, a PSE&G easement and six
     nearby residences was arsenic in surface soil, lead in settled dust
     and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) [sic] in groundwater.
     In July 2003, waste material consisting of pharmaceutical and
     laboratory wastes, glass vials, bottles and an unidentified dark
     brown material were uncovered near and within the Oval area of the
     high school, which is where the current auditorium sits. It is
     believed that the site was used as a municipal dump between the
     1940s and 1960s. Approximately 9,200 cubic yards of waste materials
     and soil were excavated and removed, according to the report.
     Since that time, officials said 54 soil samples and 18 interior
     surface samples were taken from the high school, and 10 interior
     surface samples were collected from Judd, with follow-up tests
     conducted. The high school perimeter and football field, as well as
     the neighboring park and residences at block 143, lots 94.01 and
     95.01 were also examined.
     Although remediation is still needed at Veterans Park and efforts
     will continue to oversee and limit any possible groundwater and
     vapor contamination, the report states that there are no cancer or
     noncancer health risks associated with the project.

   We note that the story seems to confuse TCE and PCE. It is not clear
   which of these is the contaminant of concern referenced above. No
   matter which it is, residents were reportedly suspicious of the
   report's findings:

     One parent claimed his son "lived in the dirt" for 18 years as an
     athlete and developed a brain tumor, although he is not positive
     there is a correlation. A student noted that the epidemiology
     report is only calculated through 2001, but statistics may have
     changed through 2008. Another person mentioned that the cancer
     rates should be evaluated specific to the area surrounding the high
     school and not broadened out to the general population, since any
     health effects will involve North Brunswick.
     Also, residents are concerned that there could have been inhalation
     of chemicals since the investigation and remediation phase began,
     and that sites that have not been remediated, such as the high
     school perimeter, the overused football field and Judd school,
     could have contaminants in the soil that become disturbed and
     loosened as time goes on. One parent is concerned that no
     additional testing was done at Judd before the current expansion
     and renovation project began.

   Read the full story in the [3]North Brunswick Sentinel (NJ).
   Update: Strangely, the report above fails to mention that ATSDR
   conducted a separate [4]public health assessment re: exposure to
   Arsenic and TCE at 3 nearby residences in 2005 (yeah, we confirmed the
   contaminant is TCE and not PCE). They reported TCE contamination in
   groundwater at levels up to 140 ppb, TCE in indoor air in homes at
   levels of 12μg/m3, and arsenic dust that coated indoor air surfaces.
   They concluded that past exposure posed a public health hazard and, at
   the time, ongoing exposure posed an indeterminate public health
   hazard.
   We suspect we're going to be hearing more on this story. As always,
   we'll try to keep you psted.

References

   1. http://nbs.gmnews.com/news/2008/0207/Front_Page/002.html
   2. http://www.ejnet.org/rachel/rhwn292.htm
   3. http://nbs.gmnews.com/news/2008/0207/Front_Page/002.html
   4. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/North%20Brunswick%20Township%20High%20School/NBHSHCFinal081105.pdf