Health Assessment for Fort Hartford Coal Stone Quarry, Olaton, Kentucky, Region 4. CERCLIS No. KYD980844625

摘要

The Fort Hartford Stone Quarry site, an underground mine located near Olaton, Kentucky, in Ohio County, has been proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for addition (Update 7) to the National Priorities List. Mine tunnels contain piles of wastes from aluminum smelting. Ammonia and lead have been detected at levels of concern; hydrogen sulfide, methane, hydrogen, and aluminum may also be of concern. The lead may not be associated with the wastes being managed on-site. Approximately 15 persons reportedly live within one-half mile of the site, and the nearest residence is about 1,500 feet to the southeast. Olaton, a small community of about a dozen houses, is 2 miles to the southeast; approximately 1,400 persons reside within 4 miles. Local fishermen have complained about odors, and citizens have expressed concerns about mine tunnels and gases affecting a school now under construction about 2 miles from the site. Wastes, groundwater, subsurface gases, and ambient air may be substantive environmenal pathways for site-related contaminants. The site is of potential public health concern. Area residents may be exposed to site-related contaminants through use of groundwater from private water supply wells. On-site workers and future remedial workers potentially may be exposed--via inhalation, ingestion, or dermal contact--to contaminants in the waste materials and evolving gases. Persons off-site also may be exposed to contaminants through inhalation of ambient air and to subsurface gases if gases migrate below ground and accumulate within homes, businesses, and public buildings. Subsurface gases also could pose a threat of physical injury if they collect on-site or in buildings off-site at levels at which ignition or explosion may occur.