Health Risk Survey for Galena Airport, Alaska: Air Pathway Evaluation
Abstract
Armstrong Laboratory conducted an environmental survey at Galena Airport (ARPT), Alaska, to further assess ARPT environmental emissions and provide a preliminary human health risk evaluation. This was accomplished by focusing on the on and off-base air exposure pathways via soil gas testing and air sampling surveys. Results from these limited surveys indicate that noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health effects from ARPT emissions should not adversely affect the health of nearby workers or residents. Air sampling-derived carcinogenic health risks for residential areas where 24-hour/day exposures are expected, ranged from 1/240,000 to 1/615,000. Where the receptors are workers exposed for only 40-hrs/wk, the actual risks are less than 1 in 347,000. Recommendations include determining the background benzene level and further evaluating areas where high benzene vapor concentrations were identified. The soil gas sampling results indicate (above 80% confidence) that locations to the north of the civilian flying services (upgradient) had greater VOC concentrations than did those samples taken to the south (downgradient), suggesting that the contamination (plume) originated in the petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) area and not the flightline. The relationship of higher VOC concentrations measured in soil gases upgradient was not observed in the ambient/indoor air sampling results. Recommendations include continued soil gas well surveillance throughout the POL remediation process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA280859
Entities
People
- Donald R. Hammer
- Jody R. Wireman
- Wade H. Weisman
Organizations
- Armstrong Laboratory