Pesticides on Former Agricultural Land

1
Pesticides on Former Agricultural Land

• Hot Topics in Environmental Health Conference
• March 29, 2007
• Presented by
• Meg Harvey, Epidemiologist 4
• Environmental and Occupational Health Program
• CT Department of Public Health
• Phone [phone]
• Email margaret.harvey_at_po.state.ct.us

2
The Issue

• Historical use of agricultural pesticides can
  result in pesticide residues in soil at
  concentrations exceeding health-based cleanup
  standards.

3
Agricultural Pesticides Of Concern

• Organochlorine pesticides
• Aldrin/Dieldrin
• Chlordane
• DDT (DDE/DDD)
• Arsenic-containing (arsenical) pesticides
• Lead arsenate
• aluminum, calcium, copper arsenates

4
Why the Concern?

• Environmental Persistence
• Top layer of soil easily accessible
• Changing land use (residential, schools, parks)
• Exposure could pose a health risk
• Organochlorines
• nervous system effects, kidney liver damage,
  reproductive/birth defects?
• Possible/probable human carcinogen
• Arsenicals
• Skin changes, nervous system effects, slower
  growth/development
• Arsenic known human carcinogen
• Children are more susceptible

5
Current Situation

• Much agricultural land developed already
• residential, commercial, municipal uses
• Pressure on towns to approve new development on
  former agricultural land
• Residual pesticides on former agricultural land
  outside DEP regulatory authority

6
Help Is Available!

• DEP Soil Cleanup Standards Remediation Standard
  Regulations (RSRs)
• DEP Remediation Section staff
• DPH EOHA Program staff
• DPH/DEP Guidance on Development of Former
  Agricultural Properties

7
What Actions Should I Consider?Agricultural Land
Not Yet Developed

• Site History
• Developer submits (as part of permit process?)
• Town (map agricultural land and uses)
• Testing
• Developer (as part of permit process?)
• Interpret Results
• Compare with RSRs
• Alternate Exposure Scenario?
• Mitigate Exposure
• Ag. Land Reuse Guidance
• Risk Communication

8
What Actions Should I Consider?Agricultural Land
Already Developed

• Site History
• Land Records, other information
• Testing
• by town, by homeowner
• Interpret Results
• Compare with RSRs
• Alternate Exposure Scenario?
• Mitigate Exposure
• Agricultural Land Reuse Guidance
• Simple Avoidance Steps for Homeowners
• Contact DPH/EOHA
• Risk Communication

9
Case StudyEnrico Fermi HS, Enfield
10
Case StudyEnrico Fermi HS, Enfield

• Dieldrin, Chlordane consistently elevated on
  athletic fields and school grounds
• Town closes athletic fields
• Town holds Public Meeting DPH helps with risk
  communication
• Follow up sampling conducted DEP, DPH provide
  input on plan
• DPH develops alternative cleanup criteria