Summary

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Public Health Assessment Public Comment Release

Ward Transformer NPL Site

Summary

The Ward Transformer site is an operating transformer recycling facility located on Mount

Herman Road in Raleigh, North Carolina. The facility is in a mostly industrial area close to U.S.

70, I-540, and the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The facility has been in operation since

about 1964. Before 1977, when the use of PCBs in transformer oil was discontinued, PCBs

contaminated soils on the site and surface water and stream sediments downstream of the site.

On the basis of the information available about the Ward Transformer site, ATSDR concluded

the following:

1. Edible portions of fish from areas downstream of the site have PCBs at levels high

enough to increase the theoretical risk of cancer and adverse noncancer health effects for

people who eat these fish regularly. The State of North Carolina has placed an advisory

against eating carp or catfish from Lake Crabtree or any species of fish from Brier Creek,

Brier Creek Reservoir, Little Brier Creek downstream of Brier Creek Parkway, and the

tributary leading from the Ward Transformer site. The State of North Carolina also

advises that consumption of fish species other than carp or catfish from Lake Crabtree be

limited to no more than 1 meal per month.

2. Exposure of site workers to PCBs in soil could contribute to an increased theoretical risk

of developing cancer.

3. Exposure to PCBs in sediment and surface water is not a significant contributor to overall

theoretical cancer risk. However, sediments may contribute to PCB contamination in the

aquatic food chain. As stated above, consumption of contaminated fish could increase the

risk of cancer and adverse noncancer health effects.

4. The groundwater beneath the site is not being used for drinking water and therefore is not

of public health concern at this time. However, limited data suggest that the groundwater

might be impacted by site contaminants. Not enough information exists to determine

whether health effects could be possible if the groundwater was used for drinking.

Because exposure to PCBs in fish and/or soil could increase the risk for cancer or adverse

noncancer health effects if exposure is not reduced and/or prevented, ATSDR classifies the Ward

Transformer site as a public health hazard.

ATSDR has made the following recommendations about the site:

1. ATSDR recommends that the public follow fish advisories placed by the State of North

Carolina.

2. ATSDR recommends action be taken to minimize exposure of employees at Ward

Transformer to PCBs in soil.

3. ATSDR recommends that action be taken to reduce the contribution of contaminants in

sediment to the food chain.

4. If groundwater beneath the site is used for drinking water in the future, it should be fully

characterized to determine its impact on public health.