State of Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services

Division of Public Health

Health Information for Hazardous Waste Sites

Ashland/Northern States Power Lakefront Site

City of Ashland, Wisconsin

Update - January 2000

Health Concerns Summary: People who contact oily slicks on the surface of Lake Superior near Kreher park may develop skin or eye irritation. If people inhale odors from evaporating wastes from a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) they may develop headaches, feel dizzy or feel sick to their stomach. People are unlikely to eat harmful levels of site chemicals in fish from Chequamegon Bay, which is part of Lake Superior. People should continue to follow the general Lake Superior fish consumption advice (available from the Ashland County Health Department). People can safely drink artesian well water, use the beach and use the boat ramp in Kreher park.

We at the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) are assessing this site's present and future threat to public health. This fact sheet summarizes our conclusions and recommendations, which are based on data collected from the Department of Natural Resources and Northern States Power. (Recommendations appear in italics)

The Ashland/Northern States Power site is several properties within the City of Ashland, and about 10 acres of sediment and surface water of Chequamegon Bay. The site is contaminated with manufactured gas plant (MGP) wastes. Refer to the DNR fact sheet A A History of the Ashland/Northern States Power Lakefront Site @ for the history and description of the site, including past and current investigative activities.

Problem Summary

MGP Waste Contains Hazardous Chemicals

MGP waste is made of a mixture of chemicals. The most harmful chemicals are in classes called polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Certain PAHs and VOCs increase a person = s risk of cancer if they are in contact with high levels over a long time (like in a work setting). When sensitive people are exposed to PAHs they report skin irritation, eye irritation, headaches, dizziness and nausea. None of the MGP chemicals are likely to build up in the food chain by being passed from one animal to another.

When MGP wastes are buried, the chemicals may remain unchanged for many years. However, as the wastes are disturbed, some of the chemicals dissolve in water or disperse into air.

Current Site Conditions

If you walk along the shore at Kreher park you will notice small black particles washing into the rocks. Those are wood chips that have darkened with age. Wood chips between the boat ramp and the marina may contain MGP wastes. Wood chips in other parts of the park do not contain chemicals. Waste chemicals continue to enter the water of Chequamegon Bay.

The DNR has posted warning signs along the shore and in the water. Boat owners should not anchor inside this area because their anchor disturbs the waste sending oily slicks to the surface of the water.

Groundwater is contaminated with MGP waste chemicals. Contaminated water (that has a strong odor) is seeping to the surface inside a fenced area between Kreher park and the railroad tracks.

Health Concerns And Recommendations

People can come in contact with MGP waste and contaminated water in a number of ways. A person could contact chemicals at the seep. A person could also contact chemicals in oily slicks as they swim, wade, fish or moor their boat (in the restricted zone) at Kreher park.

Contact with oily slicks may cause eye or skin irritation. Contact may also cause photosensitivity, which could result in an increased risk of sunburn. If people get the oily substance on their skin, they should wash the skin right away with soap and water. If their eyes are affected, they should flush their eyes with water. The selected remedy should eliminate human exposure to chemicals in sediments and water. People should avoid swimming and wading in the restricted zone.

People do not use groundwater from the area of Kreher park as their primary source of drinking water. Ashland residents have a municipal water supply that comes from much further out in Chequamegon Bay. A number of people collect artesian water from the wells in the park and next to the marina. This artesian water comes from deep in the ground and is regularly tested. It does not have chemicals at a harmful level. The city should continue to test the artesian water for site chemicals.

Recent fish sampling from Chequamegon Bay indicates that fish do not contain levels of site-related chemicals that are a health concern. However, people should continue to follow fish consumption advice for Lake Superior. Recommendations are found in the booklet, A Important Health Information for People Eating Fish from Wisconsin Waters @ which is available from the Ashland County Health Department.

MGP waste chemicals evaporate when they contact air (like at the seep) and many of the chemicals have strong odors. When sensitive people inhale MGP waste chemicals, they report headaches, dizziness and nausea. Contractors should carefully control odors during cleanup activities.

Future Public Health Activities

The Ashland County Health Department and we at the Wisconsin Division of Public Health will continue to work on this problem. We will review sampling information, talk to concerned residents, meet with other agencies and make recommendations. We are available to discuss your health concerns.
 
Resources

If you think you may be sick from site chemicals, contact your doctor. Explain your situation and how you may have been exposed. Doctors are welcome to contact either the Ashland County or State health departments for more information about this site.

Contacts:

Ashland County Health Department

Judy Hitchcock, (715) 682-7028
jhitchcock@hsd.co.ashland.wi.us

Wisconsin Department of Health & Family Services

Henry Nehls-Lowe, (608) 266-3479
nehlshl@dhfs.state.wi.us

DNR Northern Regional Office

Jamie Dunn, (715) 635-4049
dunnj@dnr.state.wi.us

Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute

Kenneth Bro, (715) 682-1223

For More Information:

To see official documents and records for this site, visit the:

Vaughn Public Library
502 W. Main Street Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 682-7060

Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute
Northland College
1411 Ellis Avenue, Ashland, WI 54806
(715) 682-1223
 
Prepared by
Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services
and funded in part by the
U.S. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry
Update January 2000
(PPH-7144)