However, site remediation is needed because
samples from inside the school. Past exposures
future changes in land use could increase
differed from present and future exposures
exposures to levels that could potentially cause
because the city of Nashua covered some soil
adverse health effects.
in the park. NH DHHS evaluated exposure
scenarios for juveniles because it can be assumed
In the past, exposures
that children are most likely to
to multiple VOCs
be exposed at these two areas.
occurred in several
private wells near the
Two conclusions related to the
site. Contamination
park follow: although exposure
in all but two wells
to PAHs in surface soils is
was low enough that
occurring at the park, exposure
adverse health effects
to PAHs in surface soils at the
are not expected to
park poses no apparent public
have occurred. The
health hazard in the past,
most serious exposures
present, or future; and dioxin
occurred in two nearby
detected in surface soils in the
residential wells,
park pose no apparent public
Area near the former Electrosonics
facility in Chesterfield. The white
where exposure to
health hazard. Since the release
building (center) sits on the site.
trichloroethylene, 1,1-
of the health assessment, the
dichloroethylene and
park has been completely
vinyl chloride could potentially cause a low to
remediated and new soil was placed over the
moderate theoretical risk of cancer. For the other
entire park. It was officially reopened in summer
wells, the known exposures were unlikely to
2003.
result in adverse health effects. It is not known
Two conclusions related to the school follow:
whether any residents lived there long enough, or
although exposure to PAHs in surface soils is
occurring on the school grounds, exposure to
long-term exposures to occur.
PAHs in surface soils on the grounds of the
Gardner-Roussel Park and Dr. Norman W.
school poses no apparent public health hazard in
Crisp Elementary School--The Gardner-
the past, present, or future; and levels of airborne
Roussel Park/Dr. Norman W. Crisp Elementary
naphthalene inside the school pose no apparent
School site is on Arlington Road in Nashua.
public health hazard.
Gardner-Roussel Park is a public park with
A health consultation is a written or oral response
recreational facilities, and is abutted by the
from ATSDR to a specific request for information
elementary school. The site is bordered on all
about health risks related to a specific site, chemical
sides by residential neighborhoods.
release, or hazardous material. It is a more limited
In November 2001, the Nashua Department
response than a public health assessment is. To date,
of Public Works found polycyclic aromatic
109 documented health consultations have been con-
ducted at 57 sites in New Hampshire, including the
hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil while preparing
to renovate the park. NH DHHS was contacted
following recent examples.
to further investigate the potential for exposure
Winchester Tannery--The former Winchester
to PAHs in the park. NH DHHS completed this
Tannery operated from 1831 until it burned
public health assessment, released in September
down in 1909. Part of the Winchester site is
now a residential property; a house was built
ATSDR.
there shortly after the tannery burned down.
In December 2000, the New Hampshire
NH DHHS evaluated soil sampling data collected
Department of Environmental Services took
from Gardner-Roussel Park and from the
elementary school grounds, as well as ambient air
soil samples from the property; these samples
showed elevated lead levels.
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