Arsenic, TCDD, benzo[a]pyrene, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, PCBs, and vanadium are contaminants detected in soil. Many are toxic, persistent, and potentially carcinogenic, posing risks to human health and ecological systems at elevated concentrations.
Coast Guard Yard
One of the biggest polluters in Curtis bay.
Located on Curtis Creek, the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard is a major source of pollution in the region.
The Context
The base was established in 1899 as a military training and ship repair facility. Since 2002, the site has been managed by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a ‘Superfund’ site, listed on the National Priorities List [read].
Superfund (officially called CERCLA) is a program that identifies sites of highest national priority in terms of hazardous waste contamination. It allows the EPA to clean up, or make other parties clean up, hazardous contaminated sites [read].
Impact Summary
10
Chemicals found in the soil
07
Contaminants found in groundwater
2-Methylnaphthalene, antimony, arsenic, barium, benzene, chloroform, and vanadium have been detected in groundwater. These constituents are commonly associated with industrial activities, fuel-related releases, natural mineral dissolution, and waste disposal, and several are toxic or potentially carcinogenic. Their presence in groundwater may pose risks to drinking water quality and requires evaluation against applicable regulatory standards.
24
Years as a superfund site
Added to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2002 due to soil and groundwater contamination from decades of ship repair and industrial activities.
On initial inspection in 2008, 9 out of the 13 investigated sites at the base required cleanup.
A Bombshell Report
According to the EPA, polluting activities that caused this contamination included: “…operation of an on-site incinerator, manufacturing operations, and ship repair and maintenance.”
Long-standing Consequences
These activities “contaminated soil, sediment, and groundwater with hazardous chemicals including semi-volatile organic compounds, volatile organic compounds, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and pesticides.”
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Remediation was led by the Coast Guard. After 11 years of construction, the EPA and the Coast Guard formally agreed that construction was complete and the sites would be reopened for use, apart from two sites, which currently remain under 5-year review.
New Discovery
2018
Rains unearth solid waste from WWII
Return client rate
10+
Early results at the time showed a variety of contaminants leaching from that site.
Projects delivered
Neighboring communities were not notified about risks of exposure
Meaning
Strengthen connection
In 2018, heavy rains uncovered piles of solid waste buried during the World War II-era. Early results at the time showed a variety of contaminants leaching from that site. At the time, the pier on base was closed for watersports. However, neighboring communities were not contacted with information about potential risks of exposure.
Insight
Culture pulse & insights
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has stated that “…the Yard poses no threat to public health.” However, the ATSDR states that “contaminants from the Yard’s former operations could have migrated into Curtis Creek and Arundel Cove… some VOCs, SVOCs, pesticides, PCBs, and metals were detected in surface water and sediment samples near the Yard.”
A Timid Response
The ATSDR, however, argues that this is not a threat to public health, IF recreational fishermen follow fish advisories, and access to waterways “remains limited.” However, that is a big if: while some fishermen are aware of the risks of eating fish, many do not follow such advisories, due to factors like a need for fish as supplemental food, cultural connection to fishing/waterways, or a lack of understanding of the true health risk
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