1 West County Road 112 Groundwater Plume Site Community Meeting Midland County Horseshoe Event Center Midland, Texas Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 28 May 2009

2 How the TCEQ Became Involved March 30, 2009 – TCEQ Regional Office received a call from a resident indicating that their water was green. April 9, Received analytical results indicating the water well was impacted with hexavalent chromium at 5,250 parts per billion (ppb) as compared to the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 100 ppb set by the EPA. April 14-15, 2009 – County Judge and Health Officials were notified and letters were sent to the well owners within a quarter-mile of the impacted well pursuant to TWC and 5.236

3 What is Chromium Chromium is considered a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, and soil. Most common forms are chromium (0), chromium (III), and chromium (VI). –Chromium (VI) is also known as hexavalent chromium. Hexavalent chromium is released into the environment from the manufacture, use, and disposal of chromium- based products. –chrome plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and wood preserving

4 Health Effects of Cr+6 Consuming water with Cr+6 (drinking and cooking) –Daily consumption of water for years with high levels (>8,000 ppb) of Cr+6 can cause gastrointestinal problems and may adversely affect the blood and liver. –Consult your doctor for a diagnosis Bathing in water with Cr+6 –Skin irritation –Allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals –It is possible to breathe in Cr+6 in steam while showering, but it's unlikely to cause harm

5 Health Effects of Cr+6 Can Cr+6 Cause Cancer? –Inhalation – occupational exposures to high concentrations –Drinking – increased risk of tumors at very high concentrations In animals: –84,000 ppb increased incidence of small intestine tumors –206,000 ppb increased incidence of mouth tumors In humans: –20,000 ppb increased mortality rates for stomach and lung cancer (confounding factors) –Skin exposure – no information

6 Irrigation of fruits and vegetables –Limited information available regarding uptake into fruit and vegetables –The only way to know the content is to test the fruit or vegetable Effects on animals –Animals may also experience effects from exposure to Cr+6 –Veterinarians will be the best resource to determine toxicity and/or treatment in animals Health Effects of Cr+6

7 Current EPA MCL or drinking water standard for chromium is 100 ppb Water is safe for household purposes with respect to Cr+6 when a properly functioning filter is installed and maintained How do I know if I have experienced health effects from my exposure to Cr+6?

8 TCEQ Actions As of May 20, 2009, the TCEQ has sampled 80 wells in an effort to define the groundwater plume in order to protect human health and the environment. –Sampling data indicates that 32 wells have hexavalent chromium levels above the MCL. TCEQ has installed anion exchange filtration systems on 31 of the 32 wells –One of the wells is not currently plumbed to the house. When the well is plumbed to the house, the TCEQ will install a filter on the well. TCEQ has screened area wells for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs), and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH). No other contaminant plumes have been identified. –No other contaminants have been identified that would interfere with the filtration systems.

9 Site Map

10 Next Steps - Initial Sampling Schedule Continue on-going sampling of wells until the groundwater plume has been defined Continue to sample wells with filters every two weeks to monitor the filtration systems Sample wells outside of the currently established groundwater plume once per month to monitor plume movement Note: The TCEQ may increase or decrease the sampling frequency depending on the monitoring results.

11 Next Steps – Formal Investigation Once the groundwater plume has been defined and the TCEQ can ensure that human health is protected, the formal investigation may begin. –Identifying all potential sources of the contamination and determining if any may be the cause of this groundwater plume. At this time, a source has not been identified. –More extensive soil and groundwater sampling that may include installation of soil borings and monitor wells. The TCEQ requires this additional data prior to determining any clean up methods.

12 Sources of Information Website: Bulletin –Notification of upcoming meetings, new information about the program, and updates regarding the WCR 112 Groundwater Plume Site. –Subscribe through the link on the website or via to Community Mailing List –Site updates will be mailed out through regular mail. –Sign up by completing the sign-in sheet for this meeting.

13 Contact Information Project Manager: Dani Sattman Soule Community Liaison: Kelly Peavler Toxicologist Lindsey Jones Superfund Section Manager: Bob Patton, Jr. Texas Superfund Hot Line and Community Relations phone number: