Supporting documents for the Preliminary Statement of Basis are available in the Document Repository of this web site.
They are:
Arsenic in Soil Contamination - Frequently Asked Questions. Click here [3] to download the PDF file
The Development of New York State Soil Cleanup Objectives for Arsenic in a Q&A format. Click here [4] to download the PDF file.
To view a fact sheet on the public comment period click here [5].
When reading these documents, please keep in mind they may be controversial. For example the second item of the Arsenic in Soil – Frequently Asked Questions states the agencies consider the absorption of arsenic from soil to be the same as that from water is very questionable. Arsenic in water is in a dissolved state more easily absorbed by the body. Arsenic in soil has changed and combined with other minerals in soil such as iron and copper. The body needs to break these bonds down before arsenic can be absorbed (bioavailability). It has been shown in laboratory studies that the bioavailability of arsenic in Middleport soils is around 45%. Also people tend to drink a lot more water than they eat dirt. The Agencies use of this conclusion to support their selection of a Corrective Measure Alternative along with other conclusions may cause the preliminary selection of a CMA to be flawed.
For more information about calculating bioavailabilty see EPA Region 8's analysis by clicking here [6].
