Collections Item Detail

2002.220

Picard, Jean-Paul

Donation

Purchase

2002 - 2002

Date: 2002-2002

4 in

6 in

Display Value: Good Notes: Any use of this image in any format must have the following credit: Photograph by Jean-Paul Picard. Below are two documents from the internet. PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT GRAND STREET MERCURY SITE HOBOKEN, HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY SUMMARY This Public Health Assessment serves to evaluate the public health issues associated with the Grand Street Mercury Site (GSMS), which has recently been proposed for addition to the National Priority List (NPL). NPL or "Superfund" Sites represent those hazardous waste sites which are associated with significant public health concern in terms of the nature and magnitude of contamination present, and the potential to adversely impact the health of populations in their vicinity. The human exposure pathways associated with known contaminated environmental media within or associated with the GSMS have been evaluated and actions have been taken and/or planned that are consistent with the protection of the public health. At the GSMS, the known contaminated media include: soil; indoor air; and building. The Grand Street Mercury Site (GSMS) is located at 720 and 722-732 Grand Street, Hoboken, Hudson County, New Jersey. The Site consists of a former industrial building converted into 16 residential/studio spaces (722-732 Grand Street), one townhouse previously used as office space (720 Grand Street), and a parking lot. During renovation of a fifth floor unit in January 1995, puddles of mercury were observed in the subfloor. The Grand Street Artists Partnership (GSAP) hired an environmental company to conduct air monitoring of the building for mercury contamination. Based upon the results of air monitoring, the company recommended remediation of mercury contamination in the building. From March through October 1995, the GSAP initiated measures to clean up the mercury contamination found on the fifth floor. In September 1995, a representative of the Hudson Regional Health Commission (HRHC) visited the site and observed the mercury contamination and on-going remediation on the fifth floor of the building. On November 2, 1995, a resident reported mercury contamination on the fourth floor of the building to the Hoboken Board of Health (HBH). On November 8, air monitoring for mercury was performed in two units located on the fourth floor. Mercury was detected in air at levels exceeding USEPA standards for mercury. On December 22, 1995, representatives of the Hudson Regional Health Commission (HRHC) and the HBH requested the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) to assist in evaluating the public health impact of mercury contamination in a condominium building located at 722 Grand Street in Hoboken, New Jersey. A site visit was conducted by representatives from the NJDHSS. During the site visit, air monitoring was conducted using a real time mercury vapor monitoring instrument. On December 27, 1995, personnel from the HBH and HRHC collected urine samples from 31 people. Samples were analyzed for total mercury, specific gravity, and creatinine by the NJDHSS laboratory. Mercury concentrations in the samples ranged from 3-102 µg/L, and 20 of 29 samples from residents (69%) had mercury concentrations equal to or greater than 20 µg/L. Mercury levels in urine samples from six children ranged from 7.0-67.3 µg/L; five of these samples contained mercury above 20 µg/L. On December 29, the HBH, HRHC, and the NJDHSS/ATSDR met with residents to provide them with results of the urine tests and to assist them in interpreting the urine and air mercury results. Based on the levels of contaminants observed, residents were urged to relocate as soon as possible. The ATSDR/NJDHSS completed a Health Consultation for the GSMS on January 3, 1996. The HBH issued an order which resulted in evacuation of the building and relocation of the residents by USEPA. All residents had vacated the building by January 11, 1996. On January 22, 1996, ATSDR issued a Public Health Advisory proclaiming an imminent public health hazard posed to residents of 722 Grand Street from past, current, and potential future exposures via inhalation, direct dermal contact and possible ingestion of metallic (elemental) mercury and mercury vapor. ATSDR recommended that the following actions should be taken: 1) Dissociate the public as soon as possible from mercury exposure in the 722 Grand Street building; 2) Ensure that residents' belongings would be free of mercury contamination before they were to be removed from the building; such possessions could have continued to expose residents of 722 Grand Street, contaminate other areas, and expose other members of the public. On March 21, 1996, the USEPA approved an Action Memorandum to conduct an emergency removal action at the GSMS in Hoboken, New Jersey. On December 23, 1996, USEPA proposed the Grand Street Mercury Site (GSMS) for inclusion on its National Priorities List (NPL). In April 1997, USEPA completed a Baseline Risk Assessment for the GSMS. USEPA completed a Focussed Feasibility Study in July 1997, that analyzed remedial alternatives for the GSMS. On September 30, 1997, USEPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD). The major components of the selected remedy include: 1) permanent relocation of the former residents of the GSMS; 2) continuation of temporary relocation of the former residents until permanent relocation has been implemented. Access to all buildings on the GSMS has been secured by USEPA and remediation is on-going. The ATSDR and the NJDHSS consider the GSMS to have represented a public health hazard in the past. Based upon the site data, adults and children were likely exposed to mercury in the building at levels of public health concern. Subsequent to interim remedial measures conducted by the USEPA and relocation of residents, the site is evaluated by the ATSDR and the NJDHSS to present no apparent public health hazard, as currently the exposure pathway has been interrupted. The remedial activities specified in the USEPA's work plan, when implemented and completed, are sufficient to address remaining concerns of the ATSDR and the NJDHSS regarding the GSMS and are consistent with protection of the public health. BACKGROUND The ATSDR and the NJDHSS have completed several health consultations for the GSMS between 1995 and 1996. This public health assessment will evaluate and summarize the activities undertaken and or planned by the ATSDR and the NJDHSS. A. Site Description And History The Grand Street Mercury Site (GSMS) is located at 720 and 722-732 Grand Street, Hoboken, Hudson County, New Jersey (see inset). The Site consists of a former industrial building converted into 16 residential/studio spaces (722-732 Grand Street), one townhouse previously used as office space (720 Grand Street), and a parking lot. The building is approximately 100 feet by 175 feet, five stories high and has approximately 55,000 square feet of interior floor space. The townhouse has approximately 4,000 square feet of interior floor space. The Site was the location of various manufacturing and industrial businesses prior to 1993. Previous owners of the property have included the General Electric Vapor Lamp Company (1911 to 1939), the General Electric Company (1939 to 1948), the Cooper-Hewitt Electric Company (1910 to 1911 and 1948 to 1955, tenant from 1955 to 1965), and the Quality Tool and Die Company (1955 to 1979). The Cooper-Hewitt and General Electric Company manufactured mercury vapor lamps at the Site. Mercury associated with the manufacture of the vapor lamps is presumed to have been the primary source of mercury contamination throughout the building. Lamps of this type were produced at the site from 1910 to 1965. The Quality Tool and Die Company manufactured precision tools at the Site. In 1990, the owner of Quality Tool and Die Company filed for a cessation of operations under the New Jersey Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act (ECRA) statute. The remediation included removal of an underground storage tank and surrounding soil which contained petroleum hydrocarbons and covering the parking lot with an asphalt cap. The property was sold to the Grand Street Artists Partnership (GSAP). The GSAP divided the building into 16 units and sold the units to individual partners. Residents moved into newly renovated apartments and artist studios in mid- to late- 1994. During renovation of a fifth floor unit in January 1995, puddles of mercury were observed in the subfloor. The GSAP hired an environmental company to conduct air monitoring of the building for mercury contamination. Based upon the results of air monitoring, the company recommended remediation of mercury contamination in the building. From March through October 1995, the GSAP initiated measures to clean up the mercury contamination found on the fifth floor. In September 1995, the Hudson Regional Health Commission (HRHC) inspected the site to observe mercury remediation activities. On November 2, 1995, a resident on the fourth floor reported mercury contamination. On November 8, air monitoring for mercury was performed by GSAP's environmental contractor in two units located on the fourth floor. Mercury was detected in air at levels exceeding USEPA standards for mercury. In November and December 1995, urine samples were taken from five residents by their private physicians. Results from three of the tests were provided to ATSDR on December 15 for review. Two of these samples had elevated mercury concentrations (36 µg/L and 65 µg/L) that exceed those found in unexposed populations (<20 µg/L). Both of these elevated samples were from young children. In November 1995, the Hoboken Board of Health (HBH) was notified by one of the residents that a mercury contamination problem existed and the HBH's assistance was requested. On December 22, 1995, representatives of the HRHC and the HBH requested the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) to assist in evaluating the public health impact of mercury contamination in the condominium building. A site visit was conducted by representatives from NJDHSS. During the site visit, air monitoring was conducted using a real time mercury vapor monitoring instrument. On December 27, 1995, personnel from the HBH and HRHC collected urine samples from 31 people; 29 samples were from individuals who lived in the building, and 2 samples were obtained from owners of one unit who had worked in their unit but had never lived there. Samples were analyzed for total mercury, specific gravity, and creatinine by the NJDHSS laboratory. Mercury concentrations in the samples ranged from 3-102 µg/L, and 20 of 29 samples from residents (69%) had mercury concentrations equal to or greater than 20 µg/L. Mercury levels in urine samples from six children ranged from 7.0-67.3 µg/L; five of these samples contained mercury above 20 µg/L. On December 27, 1995, USEPA surveyed 15 units, the attached townhouse, and hallways on each floor. Air concentrations of mercury were measured at several locations in each unit at heights of six inches and five feet above the floor. The HBH issued an order which resulted in the evacuation and relocation of the building's residents by the USEPA. All residents had vacated the building by January 11, 1996. On March 21, 1996, the USEPA approved an Action Memorandum to conduct an emergency removal action at the GSMS in Hoboken, New Jersey. On December 23, 1996, USEPA proposed the Grand Street Mercury Site (GSMS) for inclusion on its National Priorities List (NPL). In addition, in April 1997, USEPA completed a Baseline Risk Assessment for the GSMS. USEPA completed a Focussed Feasibility Study in July 1997, that analyzed remedial alternatives for the GSMS. On September 30, 1997, USEPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD). The major components of the selected remedy include: 1) permanent relocation of the former residents of the GSMS; 2) continuation of temporary relocation of the former residents until permanent relocation has been implemented; 3) historic preservation mitigation measures for the building at the Site, as appropriate; 4) gross mercury decontamination of the buildings at the Site including recovery of available mercury, whenever possible; 5) abatement of friable asbestos in all buildings at the Site; 6) removal and recovery of reusable fixtures and recyclable scrap metal and other building components;7) demolition of the two buildings at the Site using measures to minimize releases of mercury into the environment; 8) removal and off-site disposal of all demolition debris; 9) sampling of soils at the Site; 10) excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soils; 11) sampling of soils at off-site adjacent locations; 12) sampling of groundwater at the Site; and, 13) assessment of off-site soil and groundwater data to evaluate future remedial action. Previous ATSDR/NJDHSS Activity: Health Consultation by ATSDR/NJDHSS: The ATSDR and the NJDHSS completed a Health Consultation for the GSMS on January 3, 1996 (please refer to Appendix 3). The following conclusions were made in the Health Consultation: " 1) Based on the results of indoor air mercury surveys, urine mercury analyses, and the presence of pools of elemental mercury in the floors, ATSDR and NJDHSS conclude that the building at 722 Grand Street poses an imminent public health hazard; 2) Visible mercury contamination has been detected under the fifth floor of the building. Testing of the air space above cracks and holes in floors and walls of lower units indicates that mercury contamination may have migrated further throughout the building; 3) Mercury has been detected in indoor air samples at concentrations that exceed a level of public health concern; 4) Elevated concentrations of mercury have been detected in urine samples from residents. The urinary mercury concentrations in 20 of 29 residents exceeded the range (0-20 µg/L) for an unexposed adult population. The elevated concentrations of mercury detected in the residents may be associated with subtle neurological changes." In summary, the ATSDR/NJDHSS categorized the GSMS in 1996 as an imminent public health hazard because of the risk to human health resulting from exposure to mercury at concentrations that may result in adverse health effects. Recommendations were made to conduct the following activities: " 1) ATSDR and NJDHSS recommend that the residents be disassociated from further residential exposure to mercury; 2) Federal, State, and local health and environmental agencies should assist the residents in complying with the HBH and HRHC recommendation to relocate residents of the building in a safe and orderly manner; 3) Current and former residents who have not yet had their urine mercury level tested should do so in order to assess their degree of exposure." In addition to the 1996 Health Consultation, on January 27, 1996, ATSDR at the request of EPA, evaluated the level of mercury in indoor air for occupational use of the building. ATSDR recommended 0.025 mg per cubic meter of mercury in air to be protective of human health for occupational exposure. Public Health Advisory by ATSDR: On January 22, 1996, ATSDR issued a Public Health Advisory proclaiming an imminent public health hazard posed to residents of 722 Grand Street from past, current, and potential future exposures via inhalation, direct dermal contact and possible ingestion of metallic (elemental) mercury and mercury vapor (please refer to Appendix 2). This public health advisory was issued by the ATSDR in response to a request for assistance from Region II USEPA, the NJDEP, the NJDHSS, the HRHC, and the HBH. As a result of this request, ATSDR and NJDHSS provided technical support in reviewing environmental and biological data and provided a health consultation for the HRHC and the HBH. ATSDR and NJDHSS, with concurrence from HRHC and HBH, had concluded that the presence of visible metallic mercury in one of the building unit's subflooring, the levels of mercury vapor detected in living space air, and elevated mercury levels in occupants' urine samples, warrant the issuance of a public health advisory. ATSDR had determined that an imminent health hazard was posed to occupants of this building. ATSDR recommended that following actions should be taken: "1) Dissociate the public as soon as possible from mercury exposure in the 722 Grand Street building; 2) Ensure that residents' belongings are free of mercury contamination before they are removed from the building; such possessions can continue to expose residents of 722 Grand Street, contaminate other areas, and expose other members of the public." B. Site Visit On December 22, 1995, NJDHSS officials conducted a site visit to the 722 Grand Street building. During the visit, the officials observed pools of mercury at several locations in the subflooring of the fifth floor. A survey of mercury vapors was performed during the visit using a Bacarach Mercury Vapor Analyzer. Surveying was performed on floors 3, 4, and 5. The maximum levels of mercury vapor detected for floors 3, 4, and 5 were .01 mg/cubic meter, 0.045 mg/cubic meter, and 0.050 mg/cubic meter, respectively (instrument detection limit: 0.01 mg/cubic meter) indicating the presence of mercury vapor at levels of public health concern. C. Demographics, Land Use, And Natural Resource Use The Grand Street Mercury Site (GSMS) is located at 720 and 722-732 Grand Street, Hoboken, Hudson County, New Jersey. There were 37 people living in the building as of December, 1995. The surrounding area is primarily residential in character, lightly mixed with commercial and industrial properties. Hoboken High School is located across the street to the northeast. The population surrounding the Site is approximately 80,000 within a mile radius. Residents in the vicinity of the Site use public water as their source of drinking water. A summary of population statistics calculated using an area-proportion spatial analysis technique, within one mile of the GSMS is presented in Appendix 1. D. Community Health Concern Evaluation In order to gather information on community health concerns, NJDHSS contacted the HBH, HRHC, and the USEPA. The community concerns related to GSMS were many including effects of site related contaminants on neighboring properties, potential health effects associated with exposure to site related contaminants, especially for children living at GSMS, and potential mercury contamination at 410 Eighth Street, an industrial building across the street from the GSMS. On December 29, 1995, the HBH, HRHC, and the NJDHSS/ATSDR met with residents to provide them with results of the urine tests and to assist them in interpreting the urine and air mercury results. Based on the levels of contaminants observed, the health agencies urged residents to relocate as soon as possible. On January 4, a fact sheet (Mercury Exposure and Health, 722 Grand Street, Hoboken), prepared by NJDHSS, was provided to each resident. The fact sheet included information on the types of mercury, how the residents' of 722 Grand Street were exposed to elemental mercury, health effects of elemental mercury exposure, medical follow-up planned by ATSDR/NJDHSS, and possible activities to be conducted by ATSDR/NJDHSS (please refer to Appendix 4). On February 2, 1996, Physician Education was conducted by NJDHSS at Bayonne Hospital for Grand Street Mercury Site, Hoboken. Approximately thirty five physicians attended the seminar. The Hudson County Resource Guide prepared by NJDHSS and Case Studies in Environmental Medicine (Exposure History and Mercury) prepared by ATSDR was given to physicians. There is a potential for exposure to mercury at a building located across the road from GSMS at 410-8th Street. The building was tested by the USEPA in the summer of 1996 and high levels of elemental mercury vapor were detected.The four story building contains several small businesses. Additional information is needed to adequately address the exposure pathway at this site. Should future data indicate a need, this pathway will be evaluated. -------------------------------------------------------------- This is G o o g l e's cache of http://www.gsenet.org/library/11gsn/1997/gs70710-.htm. G o o g l e's cache is the snapshot that we took of the page as we crawled the web. The page may have changed since that time. Click here for the current page without highlighting. To link to or bookmark this page, use the following url: http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:1jOaeoYhc3QC:www.gsenet.org/library/11gsn/1997/gs70710-.htm++%22cooper+hewitt+electric%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Google is not affiliated with the authors of this page nor responsible for its content. These search terms have been highlighted: cooper hewitt electric -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Garden State EnviroNet EnviroNews 970710 GARDEN STATE ENVIRONEWS :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: HOBOKEN CLEANUP PLAN FOR GRAND ST SUPERFUND SITE Date: July 9, 1997 From: CAHILL.RICH@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV Rich Cahill (212) 637-3665 EPA PROPOSES CLEANUP PLAN FOR GRAND STREET MERCURY SUPERFUND SITE IN HOBOKEN AND PERMANENT RELOCATION OF RESIDENTS NEW YORK, N.Y. --- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed plan today for permanently relocating the former residents of the Grand Street Mercury Superfund site, located at 720 and 722-732 Grand Street in Hoboken, New Jersey. In addition to permanent relocation of the residents, EPA's preferred plan calls for the safe demolition of the buildings and the removal of the debris for treatment and/or disposal off-site. The plan also involves the excavation and off-site disposal of soils on the property contaminated with unsafe levels of mercury, and monitoring to determine if mercury contamination of groundwater has occurred. EPA estimates the total costs of these actions will be roughly $14 million. The agency will accept comments on its plan during a public comment period that begins on July 8 and ends on August 6, 1997. EPA has scheduled a public meeting to discuss its plan on July 16, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hoboken High School. At the meeting, the other options EPA evaluated, ranging from no action to remediation of the building and property for residential reoccupation or industrial/commercial use, will also be discussed in detail. Both the General Electric Company (GE) and the Cooper-Hewitt Electric Company manufactured mercury vapor lamps in the building at 722 Grand Street from about 1910 to 1919 and again from 1948 to 1965. The building was purchased by a group of working artists in August 1993 and then converted to condominium living/working spaces. In January 1997, the Hoboken Health Department took the unusual action of ordering the 15 families living in the building to vacate their condominiums after the New Jersey Department of Health received results of laboratory analyses that revealed elevated levels of mercury in urine samples collected from the residents. On January 22, 1996, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a Public Health Advisory based on the mercury in urine concentrations and the elevated mercury vapor concentrations inside the building. Long-term human exposure to mercury can cause severe damage to the central nervous system. The federal Superfund program has been providing temporary relocation benefits, including housing, for the families while EPA investigated the extent of the mercury contamination in the building and the property. The results of the investigation revealed mercury contamination throughout the building and mercury contamination in the soils located at and adjacent to the site. In December 1996, EPA proposed that the site be placed on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in a special proposed rule update. If the building is put on the final NPL in the coming months and the proposed plan being released today is formally selected as the long-term remedy for the site, the permanent relocation (including acquisition of their property) and site remediation activities can begin. Under a Superfund Unilateral Administrative Order, issued on February 24, 1997, which was later amended, two responsible parties, GE and another former owner of the building, John Pascale, Sr., have been ordered to provide site security and building maintenance, and to conduct several other remediation activities. EPA will select the appropriate remedy for the site after thorough consideration of all written and oral comments, and after consultation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Citizens have access to the proposed plan and other pertinent documents related to the site at the following information repositories: Hoboken Public Library 500 Park Avenue, Hoboken, New Jersey U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Records Center, 290 Broadway 18th floor New York, New York (By appointment: (212) 637-3043 Written comments should be addressed to: John Hansen, Remedial Project Manager, USEPA-Region II, Emergency and Remedial Response Division, 290 Broadway, 19th floor, New York, N.Y. 10007-1866. Garden State EnviroNet, Inc. 19 Boonton Ave, Boonton NJ 07005 Tel: 973-394-1313 - Fax: 973-394-9513 mailbox@gsenet.org - http://www.gsenet.org/ Original or Copy: Original Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2002-09-04