INDUSTRIAL WASTE SURVEY CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY Keene, New Hampshire September 26 - 27, 1972 At the request of the Enforcement Branch, and with the permission of Mr. L. W. Hewitt, Plant Manager, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region I personnel collected samples of the plating operation waste water discharge of Central Screw Company, Mill Brook, and the Ashuelot River on September 26 and 27, 1972. The main objective of this survey was to study the effect of the waste water discharge upon the receiving water and the Ashuelot River for a possible enforcement action against the company under Section 13 of the River and Harbor Act of 1899 (USC 33 §§ 407). Central Screw Company Personnel from the Environmental Protection Agency, -Region I interviewed Mr. L. W. Hewitt, Plant Manager of Central Screw Company, on two occassions: June 29, 1972 during a reconnaissance survey conducted by personnel of the Enforcement Branch, and September 26, 1972, the date of the sampling survey. These discussions concerned the nature of the production process and the waste water discharge to Mill Brook. Central Screw Company produces metal screws and special fasteners made of steel, stainless steel, and copper-base alloys. The plant operates twenty hours per day, five days per week, and employs about 200 persons. Steel is w used at the rate of approximately 14,000 pounds per day. A wax-base lubricating oil''is used in the screw-making process to reduce wear on the machine. This oil is recycled until it becomes too dirty for reuse, ------- The spent oil is stored in a 2,000 gallon tank until it is hauled by truck to the municipal sanitary landfill. Most of the waste comes from the plating process operation which consists of cleaning, zinc and cadmium baths, and nickel, copper and chromium plating. There are six constant over—flow water—rinse baths plus a centrifugal water rinse all of which produce a constant waste water flow and two alkaline degreasing baths which are dumped periodically (approximately every two weeks). Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of the plating process operation. Dye studies performed on September 27, 1972 revealed that waste water from the various baths is collected in floor raceways and transmitted via a clay pipe for approximately 1,000 feet to.Nill Brook. Neither the town nor Mr. Hewitt know of any other tie—ins to this pipe. A possible air pollution problem is produced by the heat treating carbonitriding and case hardening operation. This finishing process consists of a recycled quench which is kept cool by circulating water through cooling coils. The water leaving the heat exchanger is discharged uncontaminated to the plating rinse baths at about 80°F. However, this process, also known as “gas cyaniding” may have toxic emissions to the atmosphere. The cyanide salts carried over from the plating operation decompose into carbonates. If these carbonates are carried into the atmosphere, they can combine with atmospheric moisture to form toxic compounds. Heat treat furnances are major sources of cytTInldo, nitro cn oxides, carbon monoxide, and metallic oxide emiosiona. Sampling Information Only the waste water from the plating room was sampled. This sampling point, Station CSC1, was located inside the building at a junction box before 2 ------- ALKALINE DEGREASING C ,) C) I z C) m -I 0 TI I- 0 0 C.) rn JUNCTION BOX (STATION CsCi) REVERSE CURRENT ELECTROLYTIC CLEANER RINSE ACID RINSE I RINSE 2 RINSE 3 RINSE 4 ZINC CHLORIDE (ACID)1 ZINC CYANIDE I ZINC CYANIDE 2 CADMIUM CYANIDE I CADMIUM CYANIDE 2 CADMIUM CYANIDE 3 CADMIUM CYANIDE 4 RINSE 1 CENTRIFUGAL RINSE NICKEL PLATING COPPER PLATING ECHROMIUM ELECTROPLATING J I FINISHING OPERATIONS CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY PLATING PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM FIGURE 1 ------- the waste entered the clay pipe. Approximately 400 gallons per day of boiler water enters this pipe between the junction box and the outfall to Mill Brook; this boiler water was not sampled. Samples were collected at Station CSC1 approximately every one—half hour for four hours and composited proportionate to flow. The effluent flow rate was calculated on the basis of measurements taken in the junction box. Grab samples were also collected at this location. In addition, grab samples were collected in Mill Brook upstream (MBO 1) and downstream (MBO 2) from the outfall, and in the Ashuelot River upstream (ASR 1) and downstream (ASR 2) from its confluence with Mill Brook. Table 1 describes the sampling stations. Figure 2 is a sketch of the general area 8howing all sampling locations. All samples were collected, preserved, and analyzed according to “ EPA Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, 1971. ” The EPA Region I chain of custody record system was used Lo insure the integrity of the samples. Analyses were performed at the New. England Regional Laboratory in Needhaau, Massachusetts. Results Table 2 summarizes the results of the laboratory analyses. Some dilution of the plating room effluent by boiler water occurs in the clay’pipe which lowers the concentrations of this effluent as it enters the river. However, the quantity of pollutants discharged by the company remains the same. Based upon measurements made at the time of sampling, the average plating room dischărg i rate was in xcess of 229,000 gpd (gallons per twenty hour operating day); this is more than twice the rate reported in the Army Corps of Engineer’s Refuse Act Permit Application. 3 ------- TABLE 1 SAMPLING STATION IDENTIFICATION STATION LATITUDE LONGITUDE 0 0 CSC1 42 55 49 72 17 02 Plating room discharge—inside building MBO1 42 55 48 72 17 16 Miii Brook—lO yards upstreatu of outfall MBO2 42 55 43 72 17 14 Mill Brook—50 yards upstream of confluence with Ashuelot River ASR1 42 55 40 72 171. 20 Ashuelot River-upstream of Mill Brook ASR2 42 55 37 72 17 14 Ashuelot River—downstream of Mill Brook ------- CsC I AL CENTRAL SCREW KEENE, N.H. COMPANY FIGURE 2 / SHOPPING CENTER — GAS STATIONS tI MB 01 B + M RAILROAD SCREW COMPANY 000 YARDS ISLAND ST. ------- The components of the plating room waste water were present in concentrations so as to create the following pollutlonal load on Mill Brook: River Loading River Loading Indicated by Grab Samples Indicated by Composite Parameter Analyses Sample Analyses ( Pounds/20 hour day) ( Pounds/20 hour day ) Cyanide 117 3 70 Oil and Grease 73 — Suspended Solids 52 55.5 Total Phosphorus 3.5 12.0 Code: J indicates an estimated value Six gallons of muriatic acid were dumped at 1755 hours. Between 1515 hour to 1755 hours, the pH of the effluent (Station CSC 1) varied from 9.0 to 1.4 S. U. The composited sample had a pH of 3.0 S. U. The wide range in pH is indicative of the variable nature of the waste iater. The total waste from all operations, including sink wash water possibly containing phosphates and boiler water should create greater pollutional loadings than those tabulated above. Heavy metals analyses of samples collected from the plating room effluent, Mill Brook, and the Ashuelot River, when completed, will be incorporated as an addendum. Impact on Receiving Water (Mill Brook) and the Ashuelot River Between Stations NBO1 •and MBO2, Mill Brook showed a marked increase in total phosphorus, oil and grease, and cyanide concentrations. This is the reach into which Central Screw Company discharges its wastes. The Ashuelot River showed similar increases between the Island Street bridge (Station 4 ------- ASR 1) and the Route 10 bridge (Station ASR 2). Miii Brook forms its confluence with the A8hueiot River in this reach. Based upon analysis of the composite sample collected at Station CSC 1, Central Screw Company discharges approximately 70 pounds of cyanide per operating day to Mill Brook increasing the cyanide concentration from an average 0.089 milligrams per liter (mg/i) upstream at Station MBO1 to an average 12.4 mg/i downstream at Station MBO2. In the Ashuelot River, the cyanide concentration Increases from almost neglble (.002 mg/i average) above its confluence with Mill Brook (ASR 1) to an average 1.83 mg/i below its confluence (ASR 2). The cyanide concentrations found In the discharge and both rivers down- stream from Central Screw Company are lethal to fish and other aquatic life and may be lethal to humans. A twenty—four hour TLm (mean tolerance limit) for perch is reported to be 0.069 mg/i, while the death of all perch occurred at 0.10 mg/i of cyanide. Concentrations of 0.10 to 0.15mg/i f cyani de are toxic to trout. The maximum safe total ingestion by humans has been estimated at something less than 18 mg/day, part of which would come from the normal environ- ment. Cyanide is a true protoplasmic poison, combining in the tissues and thereby preventing cellular oxidation and causing death through asphyxia. The toxicity of hydrogen cyanide (flio8t cyanide in water is in the form of hydrogen cyanide) is increased in a low pH environment, such as the plating room effluent. Certain metals, such as zinc and cadmium, may complex with cyanide to increase toxicity. There is presumptive evidence indicating the presence of both metals. Central Screw Company also discharges twelve pounds of phosphorus per operating day (based on composite sample analyses) increasing the phosphorus concentration in Mill Brook from an average 0.26 mg/i upstream of the discharge 5 ------- (MBO1) to an average 1.56 mg/i downstream of the discharge (MBO 2). The phosphorus concentration on the Ashuelot River similarly increases from an average 0.05 mg/i above its confluence with Miii Brook to 0.15 mg/i below its confluence. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for the growth of aquatic organisms including algae. An overabundance or imbalance of this nutrient can lead to eutrophication of water bodies. More than 70 pounds per day of oil and grease is also discharged by Central Screw Company. While collecting sediment samples, the sampling crew noted that an oily sludge layer approximately three feet thick exists in Mill Brook. A similar layer, approximately one foot thick, exists in the Ashuelot River below its confluence with Mill Brook. Other discharges containing oil and grease are suspected in Mill Brook upstream of the Central Screw Company discharge. Also, whereas various types of weed growth were observed in the Ashuelot River upstream of its confluence w4 th Mill Brook, a complete absence of aquatic growth was noted below the arnfluence. The Central Screw Company discharge also produces a suspended solids loading rate, based on composite sample analysis, of 55.5 pounds per twenty hour operating day. -Because of the plating room suspended solids discharge, fish propagation may be diminished. Suspended solids are inimical to aquatic life by causing abrasive injuries; by clogging the gills; and by blanketing the bottom which smothers spawning beds, eggs, young, and food organisms. Fish may be so weakened that the abrasive and clogging action of suspended solids become more effective and dangerous, and even lethal in the presence of even flow concentrations of toxic substances, such as cyanide. 6 ------- SMIPLE ANALYSES ABBREVIATIONS & UNITS OF MEASURE Analysis Reported Description Units of Measure Temp temperature degrees Centigrade (0C) pH hydrogen ion standard unite (S.U.) concentration Probe D.O. dissolved oxygen milligrams/iiter(mg/l) Total NFR total suspended solids. mg/l Turbidity Jackpon Turbidity Units(J.T.U.) Total P total phosphorus mg/i as phosphorus Oil and Grease mg/i as Hexane extractables Cyanide mg/i as CN Total Coliforms total coliform bacteria per 100 Milliliters Fecal Coliforma fecal coliform bacteria per 100 Milliliters ------- Tkt2 CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY SEPTEMBER 26, 1972 LABORATORY ANALYSES DEPTH T MP PROBE D.O. (Ft) ( C) (ińg/1) Field pH Total NFR (s.u.) ( ng/l) Composite from 1 )pH ranged from 11420-1755 hours Code: J—estimated value STATION TIME LAB CODE CSC1 Composite* 1 11420 1530 1700 MBO1 114145 1600 1715 MBO2 114% 1610 17140 1510 1630 1755 ASR2 11420 15145 1715 358143 358140 358141 358142 3581414 358145 358146 35814? 358t 8 358149 35850 35851 35852 35853 358514 35855 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 19.5 20 20 19.5 17.0 18.5 21.5 21 .5 22.5 15.0 15.0 15.5 15.5 15.5 15.5 5.14 6.6 5.6 5.14 5.2 8.8 9.2 9.1 9.3 TURBIDITY Total P OIL & GREASE CYANIDE (J.T.U) (mg/i) (mg/i) (mg/i) DISCHARGE 3.0 - 29.1 8.3 6.30 - J36.6 5.0 28.1 18.0 1.314 33.8 71.3 6.5 143.5 21.0 3.20 38.2 - 7.5 11.2 7.2 0.96 142.8 51.8 NILL BROOK 28.0 0.16 - 30.2 .013 7.0 20.6 6.0 26.14 27.0 0.18 36.3 - 6.0 146.3 36.0 0.1414 38.5 .165 7.2 15.14 12 1.140 142.5 10.14 9.1 10.9 13 2.20 50.7 - 7.8 114.0 16.0 1.08 1 41i.9 114.14 ASHIJELOT RIVER 2.1 0.06 141.5 .0014 6.14 1.6 5.9 1.5 2.3 0.014 1414.0 - 5.9 1.9 2.3 0.014 37.2 .000 6.2 16.2 5.5 0.18 36.9 1.72 6.3 2.14 3.14 0.114 28.6 - 6.1. 2.8 14.14 0.12 59.14 1.914 9.0 © 1515 hours to 1.14 @ 1755 hours ------- ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY •TO A. 4'N OFt SUOJECTi TO- IAS Addendum to Central Screw Company Industrial Waste Survey, September 26 - 27, 1972 Thomas W. Devine, Chief Technical Operations Section DATE, November 20, 1972 Enclosed is the addendum to our Central Screw Company survey sent to your office on November 13, 1972.' Metals analyses indicates a more substantial menace exists toward aquatic life and to other animals than that postulated in the original report. D. H. Stonefield Enclosure EPA Form 1320-6 (11.71) ------- ADDENDUM INDUSTRIAL WASTE SURVEY CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY KEENE, NEW HAMPSHIRE SEPTEMBER 26 — 27, 1972 Water and sediment samples were collected for metals analyses (copper, cadmium, zinc, chromium and nickel) from the Central Screw Company plating room effluent, Mill Brook, and the Ashuelot River. The results of the laboratory analyses are given in Table 1 and the calculated waste loadings are given in Table 2. The plant effluent significantly increased the copper, cadmium, zinc and nickel concentrations in Mill Brook which in turn significantly increased the concentration in the Ashuelot River. The sediment heavy meta].sconcentratior in the Ashuelot River similarly increased from upstream of its confluence with Mill Brook to downstream of it. The metals analyses of water samples indicate that a more significant health hazard, exists toward aquatic life as well as humans than that postulated in the original report. For example, toxicity increases because zinc, copper and cadmium act synergistically with each other and cyanide to form complex cyanide salts. Concentrations of zinc as low as 100 micrograms per liter (ugh) have been reported lethal toward fish. The zinc concentration in the Ashuelot River downstream of the confluence with Mill Brook (Station ASR2) averaged 363 ug/l. Copper and cadmium in concentrations less than those found in the Ashuelot River (ASR2), either acting alone or through interaction with each other and zinc, are also toxic toward fish; the threshold concentration for fish of copper is 20 ug/l and that of cadmium is 30 ug/l. Each of the heavy metals found in the effluent from Central Screw Company produces a substantial menace to aquatic life and to humans as well. Analysis of the Ashuelot River sediments indicates that the Central Screw waste metals are settling out in the river. The sediment metals are toxic to benthic organisms which are food for higher aquatic animals such as fish. These sediments can be resuspended during high flow periods. ------- TABLE 1 METALS ANALYSES WATER SAMPLES Station Time Lab Code Depth Copper Cadiinum Chromium Zinc Nickel (Feet) (ugh) (ugh) (ugh) (ugh) (ugh) CSC1 Composite 35843 1.0 1070 10500 1500 17300 4900 1420 35840 1.0 1010 23750 78 6500 1500 1530 35841 1.0 630 3180 4500 308 21500 1700 35842 1.0 1070 18000 660 6100 920 oi 1445 35844 1.0 10 44 79 336 0 1600 35845 1.0 34 24 328 322 10 1715 35846 1.0 58 220 388 432 36 MBO2 1445 35847 0.6 430 1980 29 3350 1850 1610 35848 0.5 610 3360 40.4 332 600 1740 35849 0.5 340 2200 30 3920 2100 ASR1 1510 35850 1.0 0 0 4.6 12.6 0 1630 35851 1.0 0 0 4.6 10.6 0 1755 35852 1.0 2 0 6 - 21.4 5 ASR2 1420 35853 1.0 33 220 4.6 334 94 1545 35854 1.0 37 172 68 394 120 1715 35855 1.0 23 154 13.6 328 60 SEDIMENT SAMPLES Copper Cadmium Chromium Zinc Nickel (ugig) (ug/g) (ug/g) (ugig) (ug/g) ASRI. 1510 35850 Seidment 13.47 2.2 599 42.9 10.96 ASR2 1420 35853 Sediment 39.90 99.76 96.76 389.0 42.90 ------- TABLE 2 LOADING RATES CENTRAL SCREW COMPANY EFFLUENT Mean Grab Sample Composite Sample Loading Loading (Pounds per day) (Pounds per day) Copper 1.7 2.0 Cadmium 28.6 20.1 ChromIum 3.3 2.9 ZInc 8.2 33.0 Nickel 15.2 9.4 Basis: Calculated mean effluent flow rate = 229,000 gallons per 20 hour operating day ------- |