i 1 EPA Response to Independent Review Report of the Lower Darby
Creek Area Superfund Site
January 2003
Overview
The following is a list of questions posed by residents and their representatives regarding the
nearby Lower Darby Creek Area Superfund Site. In order to better assess and address residents'
concerns, the EPA contracted Dr. Edward A. Emmett, MD, MS of the University of Pennsylvania
and his team to conduct an independent review. They evaluated resident concerns, and compiled
a list of nine individual questions that were clearly most repeated by all residents. The EPA's
response to those questions is as follows.
1.Whether	water entering basements at the time of Hurricane Floyd were likely to have been
contaminated?
The water entering basements at the time of the Hurricane might have been contaminated from
general storm water and urban runoff as the floodwaters picked up oil, pesticides, animal waste
etc. on its way to the lowest point in the area, probably the creek. The floodwaters would probably
have diluted these contaminants quite a bit and it may have posed more of a contact irritant at the
time rather than posing long term effect. As long as the basements were cleaned sufficiently, the
floodwaters should not pose an unnecessarily long-term problem.
2.	Whether water entering basements at times of rain might be contaminated by hazardous
substances emanating from the landfill? Could this pose a risk to children who might play in
that water?
Any sediment that the floodwaters picked up could have come from anywhere upstream, including
the landfill. However, it would seem that most of the problems that would affect human health
would come from deeper in the landfill and not run off toward the homes. However, there is no
definitive answer at this point and we will be investigating the location of all wastes and their
likely pathways to figure this out. The EPA has begun and will continue to conduct extensive
sampling in and around the landfill areas to form more conclusive information on this issue.
3.	Whether young children (from ages of three on up) might be at risk when they played on
former landfill areas?
There are dangers involved on the playing on the former landfillfrom several aspects. This was a
past municipal landfill, which contains varying types of waste and is not an appropriate play area.
In addition the landfill is private property, trespassing is illegal. Finally, as mentioned by
residents, there are abandoned cars, random domestic garbage, (including beer bottles, etc.)
strewn throughout this area, they are not a place for children to play. As stated, the contaminants
present at the site that are the most threatening to human health are contained deeper within the
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landfill rather than on the surface, yet this is not to detract from the point that no children should
play on the landfill, especially during any sampling activity.
5.	Whether there were special precautions which senior citizens should take during
remediation such as isolating/filtering their homes? Was there any financial assistance to
those on fixed incomes?
All necessary precautions will be taken to ensure and protect both human health and the
environment throughout the entirety of the remediation process. If any need were to arise in the
future for special precautions for any residents, EPA would explain them.
4. Whether fumes from the former solvent pit on the landfill site might be released at times
of rain?
The majority offumes from the former solvent pit most likely volatilized (evaporated into air) at
the time when they were dumped. They were probably more hazardous to workers at the time.
Additionally, if there are any problems, they would probably be local to the pit itself. We will be
performing air monitoring to check this out. We will also be looking at the methane generated
deep in the landfill and where this methane might travel. EPA will also be conducting further
investigation by sampling in the solvent pit.
6.	Whether residents would be advised about and could consider the significance of any new
findings which EPA might uncover during its remedial investigation?
It is of paramount importance to the EPA that residents are safe and well informed. Any
immediate concerns would be addressed to the public, and all findings would be made public
during the comments phase of the ROD, for residents to consider and review. Prior to the
Remedial Investigation a public information session will be held in order to describe any site plans
or new information with residents as well as to hear their commentary and concerns.
Additionally, a fact sheet will be provided detailing upcoming events, and any preliminary results
of concern would be conveyed to residents immediately. Any questions or concerns can be directed
to EPA at any time and there will be an EPA official present through the majority of activity on
site.
7.	Residents commented on the long time frame of the problem and commented that the
landfill actively had a 50-year or longer lifetime at the Clearview site, over which time many
things could have happened.
The history of the landfill as we know it is as follows:
The Clearview Landfill was usedfor the disposal of municipal waste between the late
1950s and early 1970s. The site was proposed in May of2000 to the NPL and was finalized in
June of2001. The sampling stage of the RI/FS has begun. The purpose of this is to determine the
extent of contamination and the type of cleanup required. It was actively pursued in order to be
listed on the National Priorities List to be eligible for funds to cleanup the site in the interest of
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protecting those living near to it as well as the environment. While we are aware of the landfill
history concerning both owners and activities, only the extensive sampling effort by EPA will show
what is in fact within the landfill and all results will be made available to the public.
8.	Some residents brought to the attention of the investigators apparent cluster(s) of cases of
prostate cancer among the residents of specific blocks in the streets of Eastwick.
Although often heard about in relation to chemical sites, the actual occurrence of cancer clusters
is extremely rare. The National Cancer Registry is the most extensive and or applicable resource
for prevalence and statistical information on actual cases of cancer. There are many challenges
in conducting a cancer study, including the exorbitant cost. It is also important to consider that
cancer can be caused by a great deal of things and it is extremely difficult to prove any one source
definitively. There are many issues that come into play with the causes of cancer such as
genetics, age, lifestyle, work environment, etc. As standard procedure EPA has tasked ATSDR to
conduct a health assessment. ATSDR is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services.
9.	Several pet animals were known to have developed cancer. Was the incidence higher
than in other areas? Did this provide clues as to human health effects?
There are studies conducted on animal cancers however, there can be no conclusions drawn as to
concrete concentrations of cancer through animal studies because some pets just die, many are not
taken to the vet, etc. Considering this, there is no method by which questions regarding animal
cancer prevalence can be answered, however the National Cancer Registry is a valid resource
regarding cancer statistics in humans.
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