health impact, but recommended testing for additional chemicals. ATSDR conducted an exposure investigation
for hydrogen sulfide, and RIDEM began analyzing for sulfur and nitrogen oxides and low-molecular weight
aldehydes in April
2001. ATSDR
reported the findings of
the exposure investigation in a
health consultation
released in
November of
2002. The levels of
hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen dioxide and aldehydes were well below
health-based action levels. The levels of sulfur dioxide measured were below levels expected to cause adverse
health effects.
Dry Bridge Landfill (Hometown Properties) - The Dry Bridge Road Construction and Demolition Landfill
facility is located in a rural, suburban area of North Kingston. The landfill is surrounded by residences, a gravel
pit, and light industrial properties, including a trucking company. The landfill is active and covers approximately
20
acres of
land in
the Annaquatucket River drainage basin in
the southeastern part of
the state. It
has been
owned and operated by Hometown Properties, Incorporated, since 1980. Vehicular access to the site has always
been restricted. Since 1994 a chain link fence and a 24-hour security guard service have restricted pedestrian access
to the site. It is known or alleged that waste materials, including construction and demolition debris; railroad ties;
shredded automobile components; and friable asbestos, have been deposited at the site.
In 1997, Rhode Island State Representative Kenneth Carter and U.S. Representative Bob Weygand petitioned
ATSDR to evaluate the potential public health impact of the landfill. ATSDR staff completed a public health
consultation at the site in June 1998. The health impact of the landfill was evaluated by examining air and ground-
water pathways near the site. Based on analysis of the data provided by this consultation, air; soil; and water
pathways posed no apparent present or future health hazard. Due to the absence of earlier sampling data, prior
exposures could not be determined.
Woonasquatucket River and Centredale Manor - Woonasquatucket River begins in the hills near North
Smithfield and empties into the Providence River. The Smithfield wastewater treatment plant discharges into the
river and storm water runoff, combined sewer overflows, and discharges from industries along the river contrib-
ute to chemical and bacteriological contamination of the river. The Centredale Manor, the Lee Romano Ballfield,
the North Providence Boys and Girls Club, and the Early Years Learning Center are located on the river.
The EPA asked ATSDR to review environmental data for the Woonasquatucket River to determine if contami-
nation poses a public health hazard. In addition, the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
(PEER) petitioned ATSDR to
assess the public health impact of
dioxin contamination in
and along the river.
The results of the health consultation released on May 13, 1999, include the following: (1) Limited sampling of
fish from the lower part of
the river indicates the presence of
dioxin and other contaminants at
levels of
health
concern; a
fish advisory was put in
place for the river in
1996. (2) Microbiological contamination in
the river
poses a
potential health hazard for recreational use. (3) Concentrations of
dioxin and other contaminants detected
in sediment from the river do not pose a health hazard. (4) Concentrations of dioxin detected in surface soils
from the Lee Romano Ballfield, the North Providence Boys and Girls Club, and the Early Years Learning Center
do not pose a public health hazard. (5) Elevated levels of dioxin were detected in surface soil/sediment from
areas around Centredale Manor. Occasional contact with these areas would not pose a significant health risk. (6)
Testing of drinking water wells near Centredale Manor did not detect dioxin.
In 1997, 17 federal agencies, including ATSDR, collaborated to form the Brownfields National Partnership to
assist local remediation and redevelopment. Brownfields are abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commer-
cial properties where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived contamination. The federal
agencies participating in the Brownfields National Partnership will offer special technical, financial, and other assistance
to selected communities -- Brownfields Showcase Communities -- to demonstrate the benefits of focused,
coordinated attention on brownfields. The Brownfields National Partnership selected Rhode Island/Providence as
a Showcase Community. Rhode Island's Woonasquatucket River Greenway project is an urban revitalization effort
to restore greenspace and stimulate economic investment along the river.