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Environmental Justice Progress ReportVolume 16, August 1998 |
Estuary Park is unhealthy for children and other living things.
Carcinogen Concentration versus Risk Chart for Estuary Park
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydorcarbons and Benzo(a)pyrene Health Risks
List of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons
What to do if you have been exposed
Estuary Park Soil Sample Location Map
Understanding Navy Environmental Information on Estuary Park
Question Authority
Estuary Park is unhealthy for children and other living things.
Despite the assurances of the Base Cleanup Team members (Navy, State EPA and US EPA), high levels of chemical contamination in Estuary Park endanger the health of children playing in the park. Based on the information about contamination that is currently available, EJPP recommends that fellow Alamedans avoid exposure by using alternative park sites in the City until the investigation and cleanup of contamination has been adequately addressed.
The Navy's Environmental Baseline Survey Report identified Estuary Park as the most contaminated of the 208 parcels at Alameda Point. A revised risk assessment completed in March 1998 indicates that a 154-pound adult park-user is at a unacceptably high risk of developing environmentally-caused cancer. A 33-pound child would be at even greater risk.
EJPP believes the Navy's risk assessment method underestimated the actual risk children and adults are exposed to.
Risk Reduction Required: Contamination must be removed when the health risk exceeds 100 additional cancer cases.Risk Manageable: Risks between one and 100 additional cancer cases can be reduced to acceptable level using fences, warning signs, and impenetrable ground cover such as concrete, asphalt, or synthetic liners. The Navy believes grass is impenetrable.
Risk Acceptable: Risks below one additional cancer case do not require cleanup.
Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemicals found in waste oil, creosote (preservative for railroad ties, telephone poles and piers), stripped paint, and incinerator ash. Benzo(a)pyrene is considered the most poisonous of the PAHs.Benzo(a)pyrene is carcinogenic (skin, bladder and lung cancer) and mutagenic (damages genes). Exposure can occur when the chemical passes through your skin, when breathed in, or when ingested. There may be no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen, so all contact should be reduced to the lowest possible level.
Benzo(a)pyrene is a reproductive hazard. It has caused cancer in the offspring of animals exposed during pregnancy, may be transferred to nursing infants in breast milk, and may affect sperm and testes (male reproductive glands).
The risk of skin cancer increases when this chemical is on skin that is exposed to sunlight. Repeated exposure may cause skin thickening, darkening, and pimples. Later skin changes include loss of color, reddish areas, thinning of the skin and warts.
Bronchitis may also result from repeated exposure.
This information was taken from New Jersey Right to Know program fact sheet on Benzo(a)pyrene.
Acenaphthene
Anthracene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(a)pyrene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
Benzo(k)fluoranthene
Carbazole
Chrysene
Dibenz(a,h)anthracene
Dibenzofuran
Diethylphthalate
Dimethylphthalate
Fluoranthene
Fluorene
Hexachloroethane
Ideno(1,2,3-CD)pyrene
Naphthalene
Pentachlorophenol
Phenanthrene
Phenol
Pyrene
If you believe that you or your children have developed symptoms related to environmental pollution, begin to maintain a diary. Note your symptoms, your activities, the weather, and any observed dust or odors.When seeking medical attention inform your doctor about chemicals that you may have been exposed too. This will help in your diagnosis.
If you are experiencing skin discoloration, moles or other skin growths promptly seek medical attention. These symptoms may be the early signs of skin cancer. Skin cancer is highly treatable if found in the early stages.
Self-examination of male testes between routine medical exams is also recommended to detect the early signs of testicular cancer. If lumps or pain are observed seek medical attention.
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| "The Navy identified a few locations having elevated chemical concentrations." | 17 of the 19 sample locations contained high levels of PAH contamination. |
| "PAHs are found extensively in the environment." | PAHs in the Navy's air emission, waste water and solid waste have polluted land throughout Alameda Point, and the surrounding bay and estuary. |
| "The Navy is still investigating how this contamination got into the Park." | The Navy is to embarrassed to admit that this this park was built on a heavily contaminated land. |
| "Digging, excavating or disturbing ground cover is prohibited without prior authorization of the Coast Guard Housing Office." | California Law requires the posting of contaminated sites containing chemicals known to the state to cause cancer or other reproductive harm or birth defects unless they are owned by a government agency. |
If you think children need a safe place to play, contact the Base Cleanup Team. Insist that residential risk assessments standards are used in Alameda Public Parks.