Dioxins, A Major Area of Concern for Ecology and Human Health

Dioxins are among the most toxic chemicals known to science. In the mid-1990s, high dioxin concentrations were found in fish taken from a river site in the northeastern portion of the United States. After various historical and environmental surveys, the source area was proposed for National Priorities List (NPL) listing in 1999, and officially listed in 2000. Since 1999, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been involved in defining the source area and determining its impact on public and upland/riverine ecosystems near the site. Battelle has been instrumental in analyzing key data and assessing on-site risks by performing Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessments.

The study area has historic ties to a chemical engineering plant, a woolen mill, and an incineratorbased drum reconditioning facility. These manufacturing operations are the likely originator of the contaminants. In addition to dioxin, other contaminants of concern evident in surrounding water bodies include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated and aromatic volatile organic carbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, and various metals. Dioxin, however, is the “Risk Driver” for this site. The EPA has been very responsive in addressing the risks and has taken critical measures to protect public health.

One of the first tasks Battelle coordinated on this investigation was a localized tree swallow study. Swallows, which feed locally, are exposed to contaminants in their diet, and can be used to evaluate distributions and effects of local sediment contamination. Unhatched eggs, stomach contents, and bird carcasses were investigated for dioxin concentrations. Battelle also analyzed the surrounding habitat for chemical contaminants and physical parameters, as well as performed biological testing. Fish, earthworms, emerging insects, crayfish, surface sediment, soil and waters were investigated.

In addition to contributing to the Risk Assessments, Battelle is also supporting EPA’s Sediment Stability Study (another major contributor to the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS)), which is being led by the EPA Emergency Response Team and the Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station. Sediment core samples will be age-dated to estimate time and place of source contamination. Multiple areas will be tested to define the nature and extent of contamination. Battelle will analyze the core samples and prepare reports that evaluate the results of these studies.

Battelle is under contract to prepare a RI/FS by 2004. Until these studies are complete and a Record of Decision regarding site cleanup is reached, the future of Battelle’s involvement at the site beyond 2004 is unclear. Battelle will continue to oversee risk assessment and planning until then.

For more information, please contact Bill Steinhauer at (781) 952-5319, steinhauer@battelle.org.