PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
GEIGER (C & M OIL) SITE
RANTOWLES, CHARLESTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Geiger site, previously known as the C & M Oil site, is a National Priorities List (NPL) facility located near the town of Rantowles in central Charleston County, South Carolina. The site covers a 5-acre area of very little topographic relief.
In March 1969, the South Carolina Pollution Control Authority (SCPCA) permitted Adams Run Services, Inc. to incinerate waste oil at what is now the Geiger site. Between 1969 and 1971, eight unlined lagoons were constructed to hold waste oil. In 1982, the site was purchased by George Geiger who, in 1983, filled the lagoons with local soils. The site has since been used to store equipment by Pile Drivers, Inc. There are crops, pasture lands and sand borrow pits scattered within a 1-mile radius of the site. The site was added to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) NPL in September 1984, after being proposed for inclusion in September 1983.
After adding this site to the NPL, the EPA performed a series of preliminary investigations and determined that no immediate actions were required at the site while further studies and cleanup actions are continuing.
Contaminants identified on the Geiger site include aluminum, antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, 1,1-dichloroethane, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Benzo(b/k)fluoranthene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene), lead, and vanadium. Environmental contamination appears to be confined to the site. The site is restricted by a fence in need of repair, and there are only approximately 10 houses in the immediate vicinity of the site; therefore, exposures to the general public are considered unlikely. However, trespassers could be exposed.
Community concerns were first expressed in 1970 with complaints of the odors emanating from the site. In 1974, a nearby property owner complained to the Charleston County Health Department (CCHD) that oil was overflowing from the lagoons on the site. CCHD investigated and ordered the site closed, citing evidence of recent oil dumping and of overflowing oil. In a 1987 public meeting, several citizens expressed concerns about whether their drinking water was free from contamination and that the drinking water may not be healthy for their children. Citizens also expressed concerns that drums containing hazardous waste may be buried on the site.
The site is classified as being an indeterminate public health hazard because of insufficient surface soil data, fish sampling data, surface water, and sediment data. The limited data do not indicate that humans are being exposed to contaminants that would have an adverse impact on human health. If additional data should become available, this classification may change.
The site remediation is being addressed in two long-term remedial phases focusing soil and groundwater. EPA has determined that a source removal is not necessary.
The ATSDR Health Activities Recommendation Panel (HARP) has recommended the following public health actions for this site: conduct a public availability session to inform on-site workers and local residents not to use on-site ponds for fishing; and, post signs around on-site ponds discouraging their use for fishing.
We recommend that the environmental fate and transport of site-related contaminants be fully characterized; that all possible sources of contamination in the area unrelated to the site be identified; that more water samples be collected and interpreted from the on-site pond currently used for fishing; that collection and analysis of fish samples from this pond be performed; that on-site and off-site surface soil sampling from the top three inches of soil be conducted; and that surface water and sediment samples be collected, specifically from the areas adjacent to the on-site ponds. We also recommend that the fence around the site be repaired to ensure the site is restricted from trespassers.
A. Site Description and History
The Geiger (C&M Oil) site is located in central Charleston County, South Carolina, approximately 10 miles west of the city of Charleston, along Highway 162 (Figure 1). The site is located approximately 1 mile southwest of the town of Rantowles and 4 miles east of the town of Hollywood. The east end of the site is occupied by a business that employs approximately five people. The office and shop are located in the eastern section of the site. Pile driving equipment is stored throughout the site and some of this equipment is believed to be stored on top of the old incinerator area (Figure 2). There are two freshwater ponds on the site; both are believed to be recharged from the shallow groundwater aquifer. During heavy rainstorms these ponds may overflow through a small stream into a low lying area immediately west of the site. One of these ponds (located to the south of the other) is reportedly used for fishing by on-site workers; the other, however, contains a greenish sludge residue and no aquatic organisms are believed to live there (Figure 3).
The area surrounding the site is a sparsely populated rural area. There are approximately 10 residences immediately adjacent to the east and northeast of the site. Several small businesses are located within one-half mile of the site along Highway 162. There are no major industries nearby. Land thought to be used for agricultural purposes is scattered within a 1-mile radius of the site. A marshy area is located to the west of the site.
The site covers a 5-acre area of very little topographic relief. Elevations on the site range from 15 to 30 feet above mean sea level. Surface drainage appears to be into two on-site ponds, and to the west and northwest toward the Wallace River and Log Bridge Creek, which flow into the Stono River (Figure 4). A marshy area is found west of the site. Sensitive wetland environments are located in the Wallace River vicinity. These wetlands are a critical habitat supporting several federally listed endangered and threatened species. The South Carolina Department of Marine Resources and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service have identified Bald Eagles in the area and have reported a likelihood of wood storks and American alligators in the wetlands (Remedial Design/RD, 1991).
In March 1969, the South Carolina Pollution Control Authority (SCPCA), permitted Adams Run Services, Inc. to incinerate waste oil at the site. Between 1969 and 1971, eight unlined lagoons were constructed to hold the waste oil to be incinerated. The lagoons cover an area approximately 1 foot deep and 50 feet wide by 100 feet long.
In late 1971, in response to complaints from area residents about odors from the site, SCPCA ordered that all incineration and waste disposal activities at the site be stopped and that the owner take action to prevent further spillage, leakage, or seepage of oil from the site.
In April 1974, a nearby property owner complained to the Charleston County Health Department (CCHD) that oil was overflowing from the lagoons on the site. CCHD investigated and ordered the site closed, citing evidence of recent oil dumping and of overflowing oil. C&M Oil Distributors, Inc. (C&M Oil) then purchased all reclaimable oil on the site and submitted recovery plans to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control (SCDHEC) but reportedly received no response.
In December 1979, SCDHEC requested C&M Oil to provide information on their plans for cleaning up the site. C&M Oil replied that they were unable to recover the waste oil and that they were not obligated to clean the site.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began investigating the site in February 1980. Samples from two monitoring wells installed downgradient of the site contained organic compounds and metals that were also found in the on-site waste pits. Residential wells upgradient of the site were sampled and the reports indicated that no organic compounds were detected. Metals in these residential samples were at background levels. Waste oil in the lagoons was found to contain chemicals similar to those associated with automotive crankcases, brake fluid, and degreasing compounds. The total quantity of waste on the site was estimated at 149,600 gallons, the equivalent of 2,720 55-gallon drums.
In 1982, the site was purchased by George Geiger who proposed excavation and disposal of contaminated soil in the lagoons; however, his request to SCDHEC was denied. In 1983, he filled the lagoons with local soils. Since this time, Pile Drivers, Inc. has used the site to store equipment. The Geiger site was evaluated, and in September 1983 was proposed for inclusion into the National Priority List (NPL). After adding this site to the NPL in 1984, the EPA performed a series of preliminary investigations and determined that no immediate actions were required at the site; however, further studies and cleanup actions are continuing. In 1984, EPA contracted Camp, Dresser, & McKee, Inc. (CDM), to perform a Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS).
In the summer of 1985, EPA began the RI which was completed in July 1986. The RI determined that the soil on the site is contaminated with lead, chromium, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); however, these contaminants do not appear to be moving off-site (EPA, 1987 ). No contaminants were detected in residential wells.
In 1987, EPA conducted an additional investigation at the request of local residents who suspected that the Geiger site contained buried drums with hazardous materials. No drums were discovered on or near the site (EPA, 1987).
On June 7, 1987, EPA signed a Record of Decision (ROD) outlining the plans to cleanup the Geiger site. These plans are based on the results of investigations by the EPA and comments from the public. The decision for cleanup includes pumping and on-site treatment of groundwater and on-site solidification of soil. Remedial activities have not been completed.
In May 1988, Ebasco Services Incorporated conducted a Post-ROD field investigation. Soil samples were collected from locations previously shown to be contaminated. The analytical results indicated levels of contamination above the revised ROD soil clean-up goals. In January 1989, Ebasco also collected water samples from monitoring and from private residential wells. At that time, residential well samples indicated no detectable levels of contaminants.
Additional monitoring wells have been installed at the Geiger site since the RI (from 1987-1989). In June 1992, groundwater samples were collected by EPA at existing monitoring wells (MW1 wells have been abandoned and not sampled). Samples from the monitoring wells were analyzed by a CLP (Contract Laboratory Program) for TAL (Target Analyte List) and TCL (Target Compound List) compounds.
SCDHEC staff, consisting of James Ullery, John Ohlandt, and Ed Gibson conducted a site visit in February 1978. The area was comprised of approximately seven storage lagoons connected by small openings in each lagoon dike. The appearance of the lagoons indicated that they had previously been used for storage of oil containing liquids. At the time of this visit the lagoons contained only a small water and oil layer. The site appeared not to have been used for quite some time. The area seemed to have been abandoned and thus the unauthorized disposal remained on the site.
On April 15, 1992, SCDHEC staff (Charles Lewis, Bobbie J. Williams, Sue Schweikart and Billy Britton) visited the site. At this time, part of the fence had fallen and the property was not completely secured. The office is located at the entrance of the site (a double wide trailer) and a building used as a shop and for storing equipment is located next to it (Figure 3). Equipment was scattered all over the site, including trucks and derricks. Fuel was spilled on the ground beneath one of the trucks.
Two lagoons remain on the site; one contains a greenish standing water/sludge residue and the other (located to the south of the first) contains water and is believed to be used by on-site workers for fishing. The property owner stated that some of the on-site workers fish in this pond on an occasional basis; however, consumption information is not known. There was no evidence of wildlife or aquatic organisms on the site.
The soil was blackened, oily, and sandy over the areas where the lagoons had been located. A small house trailer and a utility building were noted to the southwest of the fishing pond. Both buildings had electric meters and power cables connected to them. Trash bags containing beer cans outside the trailer closest to the fishing pond were noted. Used shot gun shells were seen in the southwestern section of the site which may mean that hunting is occurring on the site.
C. Demographics, Land Use, and Natural Resource Use
Demographics
Geiger is located in a sparsely populated rural area approximately ten miles from Charleston, South Carolina. There are an estimated 10 residences predominantly to the north and east of the site. This population is estimated at 40 persons. The site is surrounded by woods to the north, west, and south.
At the time of the 1990 Census, an estimated 1,044 persons lived within a 2-mile radius of the site. There is a mobile home in the southwestern part of the site. Census data for the area within the 2-mile radius of the site is found on Table 1.
The town of Rantowles, located approximately one mile northeast of the site, has a 1990 estimated census population of 44 people. The city of Charleston, with a 1990 Census population estimate of 80,414 persons, is located 10 miles west of the site. Current Census figures for the population of Charleston County are 295,039.
Scattered single family residences are located in the areas immediately to the east and northeast of the site, and along Route 162. The largest residential development in the area is approximately four miles west of the site off Route 162. About 29% of owner-occupied housing units in the 2-mile area were worth less than $25,000 in 1990 (state median was $61,100), while some 1% of renter-occupied units were under $150 per month (state median was $276 per month).
TABLE 1
GEIGER SITE DEMOGRAPHICS
| A* | Demographics for 1-mile radius Total Population: 327 Median Age 33 |
| B* | Demographics for 2-mile radius Total Population: 1,044 Median Age: 33 |
| % White |
% Black |
% Other |
% <10 yrs |
% 65+ yrs |
* % Rental Units <$150/ month |
% Houses <$25,000 |
% Renter- Occupied Housing |
| A* 40 | 59 | 1 | 18 | 12 | 7 | 18 | 9 |
| B* 42 | 57 | 1 | 18 | 10 | 1 | 29 | 9 |
* Percentage include all rentals; some subsidized housing includes those who pay no cash rent.
| C. | City of Charleston Total Population: 80,414 |
| D. | Charleston County Total Population: 295,039 |
Land Use
The environmental setting of the site is predominantly mixed coniferous and deciduous forest. Estuarine streams and their associated tidal wetlands are located approximately 1 mile to the north and south of the site.
Small commercial areas are located in the nearby towns of Rantowles and Hollywood. There are no major industries or other sources of employment nearby. Agricultural lands used for crops and pasture and borrow pits are scattered within a 1-mile radius of the site (EPA 1984).
Natural Resources Use
Hydrogeologic data from the RI indicates that the Geiger site lies in the Atlantic Coastal Plain physiographic providence. The uppermost aquifer at the site is a surficial, unconfined aquifer, approximately 40 to 50 feet thick. It is composed of clean to silty sand with some mud and is believed to be recharged by rainfall. This aquifer was used as a source of drinking water for approximately 10 residents near the site. Most water supply wells in the area immediately adjacent to the Geiger site utilize the shallow aquifer. This surficial aquifer is underlain by the Copper Marl, which acts as a confining layer in the area and separates the surficial aquifer from lower formations. The Copper Marl is a sandy, phosphatic limestone containing 25 to 75 percent carbonates and about 2 to 3 percent clay (RI, 1986). It varies in thickness and is estimated to be 15 to 60 feet thick in this area (RD, 1991).
Groundwater is a major source of water supply in the vicinity of the site for residential and commercial use. Groundwater flow across the site is generally to the west and northwest, discharging to surface waters in the wetlands of the Wallace River drainage basin. The residences to the east, northeast and southwest of the site used to obtain their water from private wells. Most of these wells were located upgradient of the site. Municipal water is now available to residents.
Two freshwater ponds are located on the site. The site topography indicates that the ponds are recharged by shallow groundwater. One of the ponds (located to the south of the other, Figure 3) is reportedly used for fishing by the on-site workers. Fish living in the pond include largemouth bass. The amounts of fish caught and consumed from this pond is not known. The second pond (located north of the other) contains a greenish-watery sludge and does not support life.
No health outcome data for the Geiger site is available for review as of May, 1992. We contacted the Charleston County Health Department and the Environmental Quality Control District Office for information on health outcome data relevant to the site area. These offices had no health outcome data.
Community Concerns were first expressed in 1970 with complaints of the odors emanating from the site. In 1974, a nearby property owner complained to the Charleston County Health Department (CCHD) that oil was overflowing from the lagoons on the site. CCHD investigated and ordered the site closed, citing evidence of recent oil dumping and of overflowing oil. In a public meeting held in 1987 several citizens expressed concerns about whether their drinking water was free from contamination and that the drinking water was not healthy for their children. Residents were also concerned that drums containing hazardous wastes may be buried on the site.
The Geiger (C & M) Oil Site Public Health Assessment was available for review and public comment from March 29, 1993 to April 28, 1993. Copies of the public health assessment were available to the community/interested parties at the Charleston County Library (the King Street and St. Paul's Branches), Hollywood Town Hall, and the Division of Health Hazard Evaluation at SCDHEC in Columbia. Additionally, news releases were sent to all the weekly and daily newspapers in the state, all television networks in the state, the Associated Press, and the South Carolina Radio network. This comment period was intended to give the public and/or interested parties an opportunity to voice additional concerns or make comments pertaining to the Geiger (C & M) Site Public Health Assessment. The office of Health Hazard Evaluation of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control did not receive comments from the public during this period; however, the EPA did provide comments during this period. Based on these comments, corrections were made in the historical information presented in the Summary and Background sections.
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