Health assessment for Auto Ion, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Region 5. CERCLIS No. MID980794382. Preliminary report
The Auto Ion site is listed on the National Priorities List. The facility operated as a plating waste-treatment facility from 1964 to 1973. Liquid wastes were deposited in an open unlined lagoon on-site. The basement of the building had five process storage tanks containing waste, as well as contaminated liquid waste flooding the basement floor. Between 1964 and 1973 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources documented discharges of hexavalent chromium, nickel chloride and cyanide from the site to the Kalamazoo River. These chemicals were also detected in sediment and water samples taken from the Kalamazoo River. Soil sample analysis revealed that the west and southwest sides of the property contained the highest concentration of contaminants, primarily within the upper 11 feet of soil. Maximum concentrations in parts per million (ppm) of chromium (2,968 ppm) and cyanide (231 ppm) were found at 6-8 foot depths. It is likely that the groundwater beneath the site may be contaminated because high concentrations of contaminants were found in subsurface soil samples. During a site visit, it was noticed that the site is only partially covered with vegetation. Bare earth is subject to wind action with the resultant generation of dust particles. The site is of potential public health concern because of the risk to human health that could result from possible exposure to hazardous substances at levels that may result in adverse health effects over time. Human exposure to chromium, cyanide and other contaminants found on-site occur via inhalation (fugitive dusts). It is recommended that remedial measures be undertaken to prevent off-site transport of surface soils.
- Research Organization:
- Michigan Dept. of Public Health, Lansing, MI (USA). Center for Environmental Health Sciences
- OSTI ID:
- 5309703
- Report Number(s):
- PB-90-106832/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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CHLORIDES
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
CHROMIUM
CYANIDES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DUSTS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
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