Document vQoB5n0mj1a2ygeqNzK3mNL8

I '' - I. Fiom the desk ol W. P. PAPAGEORGE C. F. Callis - B2SA1 R. C. Isham - BIND H. M. Keating - G4WA J. S. Metcalf - B2NK P. S. Park - E2NE R. A. Stohr - B2SC For your*information WBP 3/15/79 v'a'P Cc "to "Dmc T^ CO''>17 yyiansato rpQM I *<AME-LOCAT lOS --PrtOSE | R. L. Neunreiter -- G4NF -- 8586 date March 14, 1979 o crcqcN C C : CHEMICAL SPILL AT STURGEON, MO. T O : W. B. Papageorge G4WA <-= J. J. Spano D. R. Bishop -- A3NB C. F. Buckley -- 1740 H. W. Curtis -- 1740 P. E. Heisler -- 1740 J. W. Molloy -- 1740 .. M. A. Pierle -- G4WA G. Roush -- A3SA E. Tillman -- A2SB J. Wolfsberger -- 1740 Attached is a memorandum from Steven Jellinek to Kathleen Camin, administrator of EPA Region VII, concerning further investigation of the 0CP spill at Sturgeon, Mo. One of the actions planned (see item four, page two - underlining is mine) is to contact OCP manufacturers for worker exposure data. This memo, and accom panying information, is to alert you to EPA's stance on the subject and its possible future course of action. RLN:pa Attachment R. L. Neunreiter !N - IO ' REV. H '7 7 ( MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Further Study of Chemical Spill in Sturgeon, Missouri FROM: Steven D. Jellinek Assistant Administrator for Toxic Substances (TX-788) TO; Kathleen A. Camin Administrator, E P A Region V I I 324 East 11th Street Kansas City, Missouri 64106 On February 8 and 9, Dr. Joseph Seifter, Office of Testing and Evaluation (OTE), Office of Toxic Substances (OTS), led a team of medical and public health experts to the Sturgeon, Missouri area in connection with the chemical spill of January 10. The team appeared before a town meeting arranged by Senator Thomas Eagleton. They subsecruently worked closely with your staff, especially following the findings of dioxin contamination in the spilled material, and presented a list of suggestions to Warren Muir, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Testing and Evaluation (OTE) . Based upon Dr. Muir's recommendations, I am directing . appropriate staff in OTS to carry out specific actions. 1. The Special Pesticide Review Division, Office of Pesticide Programs, will continue-to assist in arranging for dioxin analysis of samples collected v by Region VII or supplied by-Monsanto with the most sensitive detection methods available. ; 2. The Health Review Division (OTE) will continue to perform studies on clean-up workers to document `exposure levels. OTE has begun to carry out this task using our contract with the American Public Health Association. Dioxin analysis of excavators' blood will give us an idea if any dioxin is to be found in the blood of local residents. The exposure of these workers is far more intense than the exposure of the residents. Skin of these workers will be examined for (a) haloacne, (b) rash or other manifestation of histamine release, and (c) photosensitization. Analysis of urine from these workers for glucuronides and sulfates will be performed. If these substances are not present, then exposure to phenols was minimal. The local population can then be assumed to be at exceedingly low risk to the hazards of exposure to the chemicals involved. Blood and urine analyses of workers who have already shown signs of dermatologic effects is proceeding immediately. 3. The Assessment Division (OTE) will initiate our assess ment process on chlorophenol and dioxins. It is expected that Chemical Hazard Information Profiles (CHIPs) will be prepared. Work on one group of substances, the dioxins, is already underway- 4. The Office of Program Integration and Information will obtain unpublished health and safety studies, especially ( from manufacturers of the compounds involved. Manufacturers ( and processors of the substances in q u estion wi l l be con- ( tacted for information on their past, current and planned ( activities concerning epidemiologic study of exposed workers. *c The study of human populations to seek new information on the ( possible chronic effects of the compounds would most effi( cientlv and fruitfully be conducted on workers with long-tenr ( continuous and high levels of exposure. The availability of ( medical, personnel and plant monitoring records to conduct ( such studies will be ascertained. 5. The Environmental Review Division (OTE) will take all avail able data and attempt to estimate concentrations of the substances involved in air, water and soil following the .spill. These estimates will be 'derived in part from models under development for environmental exposure assessment. Residents have expressed concern for exposure levels exper ienced prior to evacuation of the town, before monitoring devices could be set up. Special consideration will be given to this period of time. In addition, I recommend that Region VII `take the following steps, if they have not been initiated already. 1. Additional extractions of spilled material from contaminated soil should be prepared for chlorophenol and dioxin analysis. These should include samples taken from the most heavily contaminated areas- Data from these analyses should be used to estimate chlorophenol and dioxin concentrations in excavated material, especially the portion not removed in sealed drums. 2. Analyses of a nearby shallow wall and cistern on February 6. showed levels of 2-chlorophenol and phenol below 1.5 parts per billion. Confirmatory samples should be taken and analyzed for dioxin as well. 3. A sample of nearby grazing land should be analyzed for chlorophenol and dioxin. -3- 4. Shortly after the spill, the loss of two calves and a hog at a nearby farm was reported. Also, several residents expressed concern for the salability of their livestock. Accordingly, tissues and/or blood of nearby livestock should be analyzed for chlorophenol and dioxin- This analysis should focus on the animals lost at the nearby farm, but should also include at least one animal which has been at the farm since the-time of the spill. 5. The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine at Columbia has indicated to Mike Sanford, Boone County Health Director, a willingness to inspect the lost animals and to perform experiments using the raw material and/or soil extracts- This possibility should be explored. 6. Residents stated that odors from the spill were more intense inside their homes than outside. If this problem still exists, indoor and outdoor air measurements should be made, at these homes- 7. The gaseous phase of chlorophenol is heavier than air and may collect in low-lying areas- If odors persist at such areas, they should be monitored. 8. The request for heightened awareness on the part of local physicians and health care facilities, especially hospital emergency rooms and clinics, should be continued. V7e see no reason to expect any adverse health effects, but the reporting of unusual ailments or ailments occurring with unusual frequency should be strongly encouraged. Such possible effects should include, but should not be limited tc a. dermatologic problems, especially among children b. liver and kidney dysfunction c. respiratory problems d. reproductive problems e. neurologic disorders If they were to occur, liver or kidney effects might be seen first in pregnant women. Vomiting in early pregnancy would probably be more severe if the liver were injured. Pre-eclampsia (toxemia) would probably be more manifest in the presence of kidney dysfunction. Both effects would be readily seen by alerted local obstetricians. Farmers, veterinarians and pet owners should also be requested to make note of any unusual physical or behavioral characteristics of animals in the area- Animals are occasionally more sensitive to certain chemical insults and often become more highly exposed than humans. 4 9. Close cooperation should be continued v/ith the office of Mike Sanford, and other local and state officials. The Office of Toxic Substances is pleased to continue its assist ance to Region VII in dealing appropriately with this chemical spill. If our expertise may be of further help, please let us know immediately.