Conclusions

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Public Health Assessment Public Comment Release

Ward Transformer NPL Site

downstream of Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek Reservoir, Little Brier Creek downstream of

Brier Creek Parkway, and one unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek.

Concern: Flooding could have spread contamination beyond the areas already measured.

Response: Although flooding might have dispersed contaminants from the site, such dispersal

would have diluted the contaminants, so that very high levels would be unlikely to be contacted.

Also, the contaminants would be difficult to measure accurately. ATSDR considers EPA's

remedial investigation adequate to fully characterize the nature and extent of potentially

hazardous contamination from the Ward Transformer site.

Health Hazard Category

The levels of PCBs in edible portions of fish from areas downstream of the site are high enough

to increase the risk for cancer and adverse noncancer health effects for recreational levels of

consumption. In addition, exposure of workers to PCBs in soil could contribute to the potential

risk of developing cancer. Therefore, ATSDR classifies the Ward Transformer site as a public

health hazard because potential exposures to PCBs could result in adverse health effects if

exposure is not reduced or prevented.

Although the theoretical risk calculations suggest increased risk for adverse health effects for

workers and people eating fish from Brier Creek reservoir, it is important to note that these

calculations were based on worst-case exposure scenarios. The actual exposures are likely to be

much lower, so that the risk of adverse health effects occurring is low.

Conclusions

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.