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U.S. Department of Energy
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Health assessment for Union Pacific Railroad, Kerr McGee tie point, The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon, Region 10. CERCLIS No. ORD009049412. Preliminary report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5829113

Since approximately 1922, The Dalles, Oregon has served as the location of a large wood treatment facility. The facility was owned by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) until 1987 when the structures and equipment were purchased by Kerr McGee Corporation. The site has been operated by the UPRR, Forest Products Treating Co., J. H. Baxter Company, and now, Kerr McGee. The UPRR assumes all responsibility for on-site contamination resulting from past wood treatment activities. These activities consisted of pressure treating wood ties with pentachlorophenol, creosote, metals and other potentially hazardous compounds. Contamination at the site from spills and past disposal practices has been demonstrated. Work is continuing on further characterizing and understanding the extent of contamination, the potential fate and transport of the contaminants, and the need for site remediation. The site is considered an indeterminate public health concern because of the potential for human exposure via ingestion of contaminated groundwater and inhalation of on-site and near site airborne contaminants.

Research Organization:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA (United States)
OSTI ID:
5829113
Report Number(s):
PB-92-133396/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English