ORIGINAL - AS SENT 10-14-92

VIA TELEFAX

OBRIENGGERE

October 14, 1992. I

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Mr. Ronald JenningsRemedial Project ManagerU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyWaste Management Division - HPS-CAN1J.F. Kennedy Federal BuildingBoston, Massachusetts 02203

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OCT 1 9 92

OLID WASTE GEO 4 inroSlCTiC

Re:

File:

Burgess Brothers Superfund SiteReview of Chromium Data

5271.001

Dear Mr. Jennings:

As discussed between you and Rick Stromberg of O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. (O'Brien &Gere), O'Brien & Gere has reviewed the preliminary analytical results of sediment samplescollected from the Burgess Brothers Superfund Site in Woodford and Bennington, Vermont. Thepurpose of this review was to evaluate the significance of total chromium detections in sedimentsamples in terms of the ecological assessment of the site, and to evaluate whether chromiumspeciation should be performed in the second round of sediment sampling.

The evaluation was performed based on information presented in Potential for Biological Effects ofSediment-Sorbed Contaminants Tested in the National Status and Trends Program (E.R. Long, andL.G. Morgan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], March, 1990). Thisdocument presents an assessment of the potential for adverse biological effects resulting fromexposure of biota to toxicants in sediments sampled and analyzed by the National Status and TrendsProgram. Although the NOAA sediment guidelines were not established for use in regulatorydecisions, they represent the most comprehensive evaluation of sediment toxicity currently available.

The NOAA sediment guidelines were developed based on data assembled from a variety ofapproaches and geographical areas. The chemical concentrations associated with biological effectswere identified from a statistical analysis of the entire database. The Effects Range-Low (ER-L)was calculated as the lower 10 percentile of the concentration in which effects had been observed.The Effects Range-Median (ER-M) was identified as the concentration approximately midway inthe range of reported values associated with biological effects. The ER-L for chromium, ascalculated in the NOAA document, is 80 parts per million (ppm). The NOAA chromium guidelinesare based on total chromium and do not address different chromium species. The highestchromium detection in sediment samples from the Burgess Brothers Superfund Site was 27 ppm.

O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc., an O'Brien & Gere Limited Company5000 Brittonfield Parkway / P.O. Box 4873 / Syracuse, NY 13221 / (315) 437-6100 FAX (315) 463-7554

and offices in major U.S. cities

Mr. Ronald Jennings October 14, 1992 Page 2

A Hazard Quotient is the most common method of characterizing ecological risk. The hazard quotient involves dividing the observed concentration of a chemical by the concentration that causes an effect or guidance value. Hazard quotients less than one indicate potential impacts can be expected to be minimal. Hazard quotients greater than, or equal to one indicate potentially significant impacts. The hazard quotient for chromium in Burgess Brothers Superfund Site sediments is calculated by dividing the maximum detected chromium sediment concentration (27 ppm) by the NOAA guidance chromium sediment concentration (80 ppm), which results in a hazard quotient value of 0.34. Based on the hazard quotient value of 0.34 for the maximum detection of chromium in site sediments, O'Brien & Gere does not propose to speciate future chromium sediment analyses since the total chromium concentration does not indicate a potential for impact.

Please feel free to contact Rick Stromberg or me if you have any questions or require additional information.

Very truly yours,

O'BRIEN & GERE ENGINEERS, INC.

Cheryl L. Cundall, P.E., Esq. Managing Engineer

AE:djb/ 10:40

Prepared by: Anthony Esposito Jeffrey E. Banikowski

cc: Mr. David Shepard - VTDEC Mr. J. Thomas Houser - Eveready Battery Mr. James E. Sauer - Burgess Brothers Lisa A. Funderburg, Esq. - Ralston Purina Peter M. Lawrence, Esq. - Barr, Sternberg & Moss Mr. Robert C. Ganley, P.E. - O'Brien & Gere (Syracuse) Mr. Richard G. Stromberg, C.P.G. - O'Brien & Gere (Boston) Mr. Jeffrey E. Banikowski - O'Brien & Gere (Syracuse)

O'BRIEN & GERE

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CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

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TELEFAX COPY

VIA TELEFAX

OBRIENCGEnE

October 14, 1992

Mr. Ronald Jennings Remedial Project Manager U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Waste Management Division - HPS-CAN1 J.F. Kennedy Federal Building Boston, Massachusetts 02203

Re: Burgess Brothers Superfund Site Review of Chromium Data

File: 5271.001

P.-ar Mr Jennings:

ed between you and Rick Stromberg of O'Brien & Gere Engineers, Inc. (O'Brien A Gere), O'Brien

Mr Ronald Jennini'i October 1-t, 1992

A Hazard Quotient is the most common method of characterizing ecological risk. The hazard quotient involves dividing the observed concentration of a chemical by the concentration that causes an effect or guidance value. Hazard quotients less than one indicate potential impacts can be expected to be minimal. Ha^rd quotients greater than, or equal to one indicate potentially significant io^pacts. The hazard quotient for chromium in Burgess Brothers Superfund Site sediments is calculated by dividing the maximum detected chromium sediment concentration (27 ppm) by the NCAA guidance chromium sediment concentration (80 ppm), which results in a :• :. i t .! quo.ti-ui vvtlue of 0.34. Based on the hazard quotient value of 0.34 for the maximum

of chromium in site sediments, O'Brien & Gere does not propose to speciate future analyses iince the total chromium concentration does not indicate a potential

ice) uee to con; act Rick Mrorrherg or me if you have any questions or require Additional

o, OtRh CNGINHERS, INT

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I . Ci;--.'i,ill, P.P.. CHJ.

fr quired by Sinthony Esposua

cc. Nfr. I5avk! Slu-pard Mi1. J. Thomas ITouv.-i - n