HEALTH CONSULTATION
(Evaluation of Soil Data from the July 13, 2013 Ash Release)

HERITAGE THERMAL SERVICES
EAST LIVERPOOL, COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO

Prepared by the
Ohio Department of Health
Health Assessment Section

March 19, 2014

This report was supported by funds from a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This document has not been reviewed and cleared by ATSDR.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................2
Site Description and History ........................................................................................................2
Demographics ..............................................................................................................................2
DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................................3
Exposure Pathways ......................................................................................................................3
Environmental Data .....................................................................................................................4
Data Evaluation
4
Public Health Implications...........................................................................................................4
Ash
4
Off-site Surface Soils
5
Off-site Shallow Soils
6
On-site Soils
6
Child Health Considerations ........................................................................................................6
CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................................6
RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................7
REPORT PREPARATION ..............................................................................................................7
TABLES ..........................................................................................................................................8
FIGURES .........................................................................................................................................9

i

 SUMMARY
Introduction The Heritage Thermal Services (HTS, formerly known as WTI) is a hazardous
waste incinerator located in a mixed industrial and residential area within the city
of East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio. On July 13, 2013, an incident
occurred at the HTS facility where an estimated 700 to 800 pounds of ash was
released into the air beyond the property boundary over the adjacent
neighborhood west of the facility. In addition to the collection of wipe samples of
surfaces in the immediate area, soil sampling was conducted on July 29 and 30,
2013 to assess the impact of the ash release on the chemistry of the soils of the
area adjacent to the HTS facility.
At the request of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), the
Health Assessment Section (HAS) of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has
prepared this health consultation, which evaluates the results of soil sampling
conducted after the ash release. This report determines whether or not there are
harmful levels of contaminants in surface soils, and, if necessary, makes
recommendations to protect public health.
Conclusion

HAS concludes that the trace amounts of toxic metals in the surface and shallow
soils of the residential area west of the HTS facility affected by the July 2013
ash release are not expected to harm people’s health. The reason for this is that
the concentrations of these metals found in the soils are below levels of health
concern.

Basis for
Decision

The concentrations of potentially toxic metals found in the soils are at or are
slightly above background levels typically found in Ohio soils and below levels
that could cause harm. There appears to be no apparent impact on the surface
soils in the residential area west of the site due to the ash release of July 2013,
based on a comparison of the metallic content of the surface soils and the
underlying shallow soils. Two locations, ELSS-10 located off site and ELSS-13
on site, which are closest to and downwind of the HTS property, did generally
show higher levels of the elements of concern. The analysis of the ash indicate
elevated levels of lead and arsenic which could pose a hazard to small children if
the ash was deposited and remained on surfaces that children came into contact
with.

Next Steps

It is recommended that measures be taken to prevent the accidental release of
hazardous waste ash from the HTS facility to off-site areas in the future.

For More
Information

If you have any concerns about your health, as it relates to exposure to the
chemicals of concern at this site, you should contact your health care provider.
You can also call HAS at (614) 466-1390 health-related questions regarding
chemicals.
1

 BACKGROUND
Site Description and History
The Heritage Thermal Services (HTS, formerly known as WTI) is located in a mixed industrial
and residential area within the city of East Liverpool, Columbiana County, Ohio. HTS treats
hazardous and nonhazardous waste through a rotary kiln incineration process. The facility is
bounded by a single-family residential area to the west and the Ohio River to the south. On July
13, 2013, an incident occurred at the HTS facility where an estimated 700 to 800 pounds of ash
was released into the air beyond the property boundary over the adjacent neighborhood west of
the facility.
It appears that most of ash was deposited at the facility’s west fence line. Heritage collected dust
samples in the neighborhood to the west of the facility from the external surfaces of vehicles and
other objects within the neighborhood. The “10-day area,” where trucks at the facility were
staged, had the highest wipe sample results, including 3,600 parts per million (ppm) of arsenic,
13,000 ppm of lead, and 8,000 ppm of nickel. However, this area is a gravel lot with limited or
no public access, as it is fenced off and gated with an access code needed for entry. The top and
sides of trucks and roll-off boxes were cleaned.
Two of the eight off-site wipe samples showed high concentrations of arsenic and lead. A wipe
sample from a small plastic slide at a home on Ohio Avenue showed arsenic at 277 ppm and lead
at 819 ppm. The arsenic level exceeded ATSDR’s chronic minimal risk level (MRL) of 15 ppm
for arsenic for a 10 kg child. The lead level was about two times the U.S. EPA residential soil
screening level of 400 ppm for lead. In addition, elevated arsenic (296 ppm) and lead (1,046
ppm) were detected off-site on a Black S10 pick-up truck. Both of these surfaces have since been
washed, either by the Heritage personnel or by the subsequent rainfall events.
After the incident, the incinerator operator shut down the facility and the company deployed
cleanup crews within 48 hours of the release to wash down impacted properties, vehicles, and
streets. Heavy rains in the area within 48 hours of the release also likely limited the long-term
impact of the ash fallout on the neighborhood. Additional sampling of soils and surfaces in the
impacted area was suggested to further investigate the longer term, post-incident impacts of the
ash residue on the downwind neighborhood.
HTS contracted with an environmental firm, Cox-Colvin, for soil sampling of the area. This
sampling was conducted on July 29 and 30, 2013. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
(Ohio EPA) was provided with split samples of all soil samples collected. A copy of the
analytical report prepared by Cox-Colvin, dated September 9, 2013 was received by Ohio EPA
on October 23, 2013. The Ohio EPA requested the assistance of the Ohio Department of Health’s
Health Assessment Section (HAS) to review and evaluate the results of the soil samples that
were collected from the residential neighborhood west of the facility. This health consultation
evaluates the available environmental data regarding this soil sampling.
Demographics

2

 East Liverpool is located in in northeast Ohio along the Ohio River. East Liverpool is known
historically for its pottery and is still home to three major potteries. It is about 60 miles west of
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and about 100 miles southeast of Cleveland, Ohio. Based on the 2010
Census, the city has a population of 11,195. By race, the population of East Liverpool is 91.7
percent White, 4.6 percent Black, 0.2 percent Native American, 0.2 percent Asian, 0.3 percent
some other race, and 3.0 percent two or more races. About 1 percent of the population is
Hispanic or Latino (of any race). The city has a total of 4,601 households and 2,892 families.
The residential area affected by the ash release was to the west of the HTS facility along the
Ohio River shoreline. It covered an area that was about 600 feet wide and 4,200 feet long, or
about 0.09 square miles (Cox-Colvin 2013).
DISCUSSION
Exposure Pathways
In order for residents to be exposed to chemical contaminants, they must come into direct contact
with the contaminants through a completed exposure pathway. A completed exposure pathway
consists of five main parts:
1. A Source of contamination (a chemical release, landfill, etc.),
2. A method of Environmental Transport (air, water, soil, sediment, etc.), which allows the
chemicals to move from the source area and bring it into contact with people,
3. A Point of Exposure where people come into direct contact with the chemicals,
4. A Route of Exposure (ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact), which is how people come
into contact with chemicals, and
5. A Population at Risk, i.e., people likely to come into contact with site-related chemicals.
Physical contact with a chemical contaminant does not necessarily result in adverse health
effects. A chemical’s ability to affect a person’s health depends on:
x
x
x
x

How much of the chemical a person is exposed to (dose)
How long a person is exposed (duration)
How often a person is exposed (frequency)
The toxicity of the chemical (how chemicals can make people sick)

Other factors affecting a chemical’s likelihood of causing adverse health effects upon contact
include the resident’s
x
x
x
x
x

personal habits,
diet,
age and sex,
current health status, and
past exposures to toxic chemicals (occupational, hobbies, etc.).

3

 Environmental Data
Data Evaluation
Cox-Colvin, an environmental firm contracted by HTS, collected soil samples on July 29 and 30,
2013. “Surface” soil samples were collected from one square foot at each of 15 locations (Figure
1) between the surface and a depth of 2 inches. “Shallow” soil samples were also collected from
the same one square foot area at each location but at a depth between 2 and 3 inches. In addition,
a sample of the ash was provided. The information the ODH HAS reviewed included results for:
x

10 soil samples (ELSS-01–ELSS-10) from the affected residential neighborhood west of
HTS (Off site)

x

2 soil samples (ELSS-11 & ELSS-12) located north and upwind of the ash release (Off site
background)

x

3 soil samples (ELSS-13, ELSS-14, & ELSS-15) located on the HTS facility’s property
(On site)

x

1 sample of the ash material (ELASH-01)

These soils and a sample of ash were analyzed for a total of 25 metals, which included U.S.
EPA’s Target Analyte List (TAL) metals plus tin and titanium. This report, however, focuses on
a subset of these metals which are considered to be more toxic to people and of particular health
concern. The metals selected for evaluation were arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese,
mercury and zinc. The tables in the Tables section of this report were created using the data
provided in the Cox-Colvin report dated September 9, 2013. The results were summarized and
compared to health-based guidelines or comparison values. Comparison values (CVs) are
chemical and media-specific concentrations in air, soil, and drinking water that are used by the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) health assessors and others to
identify environmental contaminants at hazardous waste sites that require further evaluation. It
should be noted that contaminants detected at concentrations that exceed their respective CVs do
not necessarily represent a health threat. Instead, the results of the CV screening identify those
contaminants that warrant a more detailed, site-specific evaluation to determine whether health
effects may occur.
Public Health Implications
Ash
The major elemental components (metals) of the ash sample ELASH-01 were calcium, sodium,
and aluminum. These three major constituents make up about 62%, 24%, and 4% of the total
mass of the analyzed constituents, respectively. The toxic metals selected for this evaluation
(arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, and zinc) together make up about
2.3% of the detected metal constituents and are minor components of the ash. Some of the most
toxic metals were present at levels of health concern. Lead, for example, was detected at 1,800
4

 ppm and arsenic at 1,700 ppm in the ash sample, which could pose a hazard to small children if
the ash was deposited and remained on surfaces that children came into contact with.
Off-site Surface Soils
With the exception of arsenic, surface soil sample results for the metals of concern were below
health-based comparison values for soil (Table 1). ELSS-10, located closest to the western edge
of the HTS property (Figure 1), had the highest levels of toxic metals with the exception of
arsenic and manganese. The arsenic concentrations in the 10 off-site soil samples from the
affected residential neighborhood west of the facility ranged from 14–57 ppm, with an average
concentration of 20 ppm. The highest arsenic concentration (57 ppm) was found in ELSS-06,
which was located about 2,100 feet west of the HTS property boundary. The mean detected
arsenic concentration of 20 ppm is slightly above ATSDR’s chronic environmental media
evaluation guide (EMEG) of 15 ppm for a child and below the EMEG of 210 ppm for an adult.
Arsenic levels in the two background surface soil samples (ELSS-11 & ELSS-12) ranged from
9.4–15 ppm, with an average of 12 ppm. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element, widely
distributed in the earth’s crust. Levels of arsenic in natural soils range from 1 to 40 ppm, with an
average level of 5 ppm, although much higher levels may occur in mining areas, at waste sites,
near high geological deposits of arsenic-rich minerals, or from pesticide application. In nature,
arsenic is mostly found combined with other elements in minerals as opposed to its pure
elemental form (ATSDR 2007).
Most cases of arsenic-induced toxicity in humans are due to exposure to inorganic arsenic;
differences in potencies of different inorganic chemical forms are usually minor. High oral
exposures to inorganic arsenic (in general) can cause nausea and vomiting, decreased production
of red and white blood cells, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to blood vessels, and a sensation of
"pins and needles" in hands and feet. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic can cause injury to the
nervous system, including peripheral neuropathy and intellectual deficits in children. The main
effect of dermal exposure to arsenic is local irritation and dermatitis. The International Agency
for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the U.S. EPA
have all determined that inorganic arsenic is a human carcinogen. Chronic inhalation exposure to
arsenic in air increases the risk of lung cancer. Chronic oral exposure to arsenic in drinking water
is known to increase the risk of skin cancer and cancer in the lungs, bladder, liver, kidney and
prostate (ATSDR 2007).
Arsenic concentrations that exceed EMEG of 15 ppm do not mean that health effect will occur.
ATSDR’s EMEGs are derived from ATSDR’s minimal risk levels (MRLs). MRLs are below
levels that might cause adverse health effects even in the people most sensitive to such chemicalinduced effects. ATSDR’s EMEG was derived by applying an uncertainty factor of 3 (for human
variability) to the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL), which is the highest tested dose of
a substance that has been reported to have no harmful (adverse) health effects on people or
animals. The detected concentrations of metals in soils are at or slightly above background levels
typically found in Ohio soils and below levels that could cause harmful health effects. HAS
concludes that contact with soil in the affected area west of the HTS facility is not expected to
harm people’s health.

5

 Off-site Shallow Soils
The slightly deeper shallow soil samples, collected between 2 and 3 inches in depth from the
same area at each location, showed results for the selected metals (Table 2) that were very
similar to those found in the surface soils. ELSS-10, for most metals, appeared to have the
highest metal concentrations with the exception of arsenic. The arsenic concentrations in the
affected residential neighborhood west of the facility ranged from 14–53 ppm, with an average
concentration of 20 ppm. Arsenic levels in the two background surface soil samples (ELSS-11 &
ELSS-12) ranged from 9.1–17 ppm, with an average of 13 ppm. Overall, the pattern appears to
show no difference between the metal concentrations on the surface and the soils slightly deeper,
indicating no significant impact on soil composition due to the ash release.
On-site Soils
Three soil samples (ELSS-13, ELSS-14, and ELSS-15) were taken on the Heritage Thermal
Services property. In general, the soil sample results were not above health-based comparison
values (Table 3). The exception was manganese in the surface soil of ELSS-13, located closest to
the western edge of the property boundary.
Child Health Considerations
In communities faced with air, water, or food contamination, the many physical differences
between children and adults demand special emphasis. Children could be at greater risk than are
adults from certain kinds of exposure to hazardous substances. Children play outdoors and
sometimes engage in hand-to-mouth behaviors that increase their exposure potential. Children
are shorter than are adults; this means they breathe dust, soil, and vapors close to the ground. A
child’s lower body weight and higher intake rate results in a greater dose of hazardous substance
per unit of body weight. If toxic exposure levels are high enough during critical growth stages,
the developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage. Finally, children are
dependent on adults for access to housing, for access to medical care, and for risk identification.
Thus adults need as much information as possible to make informed decisions regarding their
children’s health.
Children and adults who are exposed to inorganic arsenic may have similar health effects, such
as irritation of the stomach and intestines, blood vessel damage, skin changes, and reduced nerve
function. There is some evidence that long-term exposure to arsenic in children may result in
lower IQ (intelligence quotient) scores and that exposure to arsenic in early life (including in the
womb) may increase mortality in young adults. Children are more sensitive to the effects of lead
exposure than are adults. Neurological effects in children may begin at low blood lead levels and
studies have found a measured decrease in IQ as blood lead levels increase.
CONCLUSIONS
HAS concludes that the trace amounts of toxic metals in the surface and shallow soils of the
residential area west of the HTS facility affected by the July 2013 ash release are not expected to
harm people’s health. The reason for this is that the concentrations of these metals found in the

6

 soils are below levels of health concern. In general, the levels of these elements in these soils are
similar to background levels typically found in Ohio soils. Based on a comparison of shallow and
surface soils, the surface soils in the residential area west of the site do not appear to have been
affected by the ash release.
Two locations, ELSS-10 located off site and ELSS-13 on site, which are closest to and
downwind of the HTS property, generally showed the highest levels of the elements of concern.
The analysis of the ash indicated elevated levels of lead and arsenic, which could pose a hazard
to small children if the ash was deposited and remained on surfaces that children came into
physical contact with.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that measures are taken to prevent the release of hazardous waste ash from the
WTI/HTS facility to off-site residential areas in the future.
REFERENCES
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). 2007. Toxicological Profile for
Arsenic (Update). U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). August.
ATSDR. 2005. Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual (Update). U.S. DHHS. Atlanta.
Appendix G, G-7. January.
NTP (National Toxicology Program). 2011. Report on Carcinogens, Twelfth Edition; U.S.
DHHS, Public Health Service, NTP, June 10, 2011.
REPORT PREPARATION
This Public Health Consultation for this site was prepared by the Ohio Department of Health
under a cooperative agreement with the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approved agency methods, policies, and procedures
existing at the date of publication. Editorial review was completed by the cooperative agreement
partner. This document has not been reviewed and cleared by ATSDR.
Authors
John Kollman, Environmental Specialist
Robert C. Frey, Ph.D., Chief
Health Assessment Section
Ohio Department of Health

7

  

TABLES

 

86–520

18–38

24–150

Chromium

Lead

110-190

0.2
150

0.2

1,200

87

28

0.8

12

220

0.24

780

150

29

1.1

20

Average
(ppm)

2/2

1/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

10/10

3/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

Frequency
of
Detections

C-EMEG – chronic environmental media evaluation guide (ATSDR)
ppm – parts per million
RMEG – reference dose media evaluation guide (ATSDR)
RSL – regional screening level (U.S. EPA)

Source: Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc. 2013

Zinc

Mercury

700–1,600

0.44–1.2

Cadmium

Manganese

9.4–15

Arsenic

Background (North of HTS)

Zinc

0.14–0.38

56–340

Lead

Mercury

16–88

Chromium

520–1,200

0.62–2.7

Cadmium

Manganese

14–57

Arsenic

Affected Area (West of HTS)

Chemical

Range of
Detections
(ppm)

9

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

10

01

10

10

10

06

Location of
Maximum
Detection

Table 1. Selected Chemicals in Off-site Surface Soils (1–2 inches)

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

5/10

Frequency
Above
Comparison
Value

15,000

15

2,500

400

75,000

5

15

15,000

15

2,500

400

75,000

5

15

Comparison
Value
(ppm)

C-EMEG (child)

RMEG (child); salts

RMEG (child)

RSL

RMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

RMEG (child); salts

RMEG (child)

RSL

RMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

Type

 84–490

15–38

25–160

Chromium

Lead

99–210

0.18
150

0.18

970

92

26

0.8

13

210

0.19

830

140

30

0.95

20

Average
(ppm)

2/2

1/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

2/2

10/10

5/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

10/10

Frequency
of
Detections

C-EMEG – chronic environmental media evaluation guide (ATSDR)
ppm – parts per million
RMEG – reference dose media evaluation guide (ATSDR)
RSL – regional screening level (U.S. EPA)

Source: Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc. 2013

Zinc

Mercury

740–1,200

0.44–1.2

Cadmium

Manganese

9.1–17

Arsenic

Background (North of HTS)

Zinc

0.12–0.36

51–310

Lead

Mercury

16–110

Chromium

500–1,200

0.58–1.7

Cadmium

Manganese

14–53

Arsenic

Affected Area (West of HTS)

Chemical

Range of
Detections
(ppm)

10

11

11

11

11

11

11

11

10

10

01 & 10

10

10

10

06

Location of
Maximum
Detection

Table 2. Selected Chemicals in Off-site Shallow Soils (2–3 inches)

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

0/2

1/2

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

0/10

4/10

Frequency
Above
Comparison
Value

15,000

15

2,500

400

75,000

5

15

15,000

15

2,500

400

75,000

5

15

Comparison
Value
(ppm)

C-EMEG (child)

RMEG (child); salts

RMEG (child)

RSL

RMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

RMEG (child); salts

RMEG (child)

RSL

RMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

Type

 29–88

21–60

Chromium

Lead

79–310

0.54

27–58

16–39

Chromium

Lead

76–210

2.1
130

2.1

1,200

30

42

0.19

10

160

0.54

1,900

39

52

0.90

12

Average
(ppm)

3/3

1/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

1/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

3/3

Frequency
of
Detections

C-EMEG – chronic environmental media evaluation guide (ATSDR)
ppm – parts per million
RMEG – reference dose media evaluation guide (ATSDR)
RSL – regional screening level (U.S. EPA)

Source: Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc. 2013

Zinc

Mercury

720–1,700

0.31–1

Cadmium

Manganese

8.5–11

Arsenic

Shallow Soils on HTS Property

Zinc

Mercury

770–3,200

0.35–1.9

Cadmium

Manganese

11–13

Arsenic

Surface Soils on HTS Property

Chemical

Range of
Detections
(ppm)

11

13

13

13

13

13

14

14

13

13

13

13

13

13

13

Location of
Maximum
Detection

Table 3. Selected Chemicals in On-site Soils on HTS Property

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

1/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

0/3

Frequency
Above
Comparison
Value

15,000

15

2,500

800

75,000

5

15

15,000

15

2,500

800

75,000

5

15

Comparison
Value
(ppm)

C-EMEG (child)

RMEG (child); salts

RMEG (child)

RSL (Industrial)

RMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

RMEG (child); salts

RMEG (child)

RSL (Industrial)

RMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

C-EMEG (child)

Type

 FIGURES
Figure 1. Soil Sample Locations

Source: Evaluation of the July 13, 2013 Ash Release at Heritage Thermal Services East Liverpool, Ohio. Figure 2.
Cox-Colvin & Associates, Inc. September 9, 2013.

12