New PSEG Utility Poles in East Hampton Leaching Toxic Chemical Into Soil

Long Island Businesses For Responsible Energy, Inc., knowing that the highly toxic pentachlorophenol (also known as penta) was used as a wood preservative on the newly installed PSEG utility poles, recently hired Dermody Consulting to take soil samples, at different levels for testing.

“The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that Penta “is extremely toxic to humans from acute (short-term) ingestion and inhalation exposure.”

In addition to inspecting the utility poles, the soil in the vicinity of selected poles was sampled to determine if the use of this chemical on the poles has resulted in the contamination of the adjacent soil.”

“During the inspection, it was noted that the poles contained a dark amber color, apparently due to their recent treatment with penta. There was also a significant chemical odor that was noticeable at least 15 feet away from the pole in at least one location. In addition, a small mound of soil was present around most poles to a height of approximately 6 to 12 inches above the surrounding grade. At several locations, dark stained soil was observed within the mounded soil around the pole. At other poles, there was a “halo” of wet, chemical-saturated soil around the poles that extended a distance of approximately four inches away from the pole. This appears to represent areas where liquid containing Penta may have been poured onto the soil to percolate into the underlying soil adjacent to the subsurface portion of the poles.”

“The results indicate that significantly elevated concentrations of Penta were detected in the soil at both shallow and deep locations at two of the three poles. Poles 30 and 39 contained high levels of penta. Penta was not detected at Pole 41. In addition, elevated concentrations of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate were detected at Pole 39. This chemical may have been a component of the penta formulation used on this pole.

The penta concentrations at Poles 30 and 39 ranged in concentrations from 29,900 micrograms per kilogram (mcg/kg) to 250,000 mcg/kg. These concentrations represent significant exceedances of the New York State Department of Environmental

Conservation 6 NYCRR Part 375.6 Unrestricted Use Soil Cleanup Objective for Penta is 800 mcg/kg.”

“The use of penta was banned in 26 countries. It was widely used in the United States until it was banned for public use by EPA in 1987. Its use in the United States is now limited to wood preservation of utility poles and railroad ties. The presence of Penta on the poles and in the soil in the vicinity of the poles appears to represent a significant risk to human health and the environment.”

“As stated previously, the EPA considers penta highly toxic and, therefore, its presence on utility poles presents an inhalation and ingestion risk. Its presence in the soil presents a dermal contact, ingestion, and inhalation risk. At the poles where Penta is present, there is also a high potential for the penta to leach downward through the soil and contaminate the groundwater.”

“Based on these findings, the following steps are recommended to protect human health

An attorney should be provided with this report to determine if the release of Penta to the subsurface represents a reportable contaminant release to the NYSDEC as per 6 NYCRR 613.8.  The saturated and other highly stained soil around the poles should be removed as soon as possible to attempt to reduce the potential for exposure and groundwater contamination.  Residences in the area hydraulically down gradient of these new poles should be evaluated to determine if these homes use private drinking water wells. Private well users risk ingestion of penta through contaminated groundwater. Residents in these areas should be advised to have frequent water sample analyses and may wish to consider drinking bottled water until it can be demonstrated that Penta is not, and cannot reasonably be expected to impact their drinking water. The EPA drinking water standard for penta is 1 part per billion.  Since this recently-applied and extremely toxic chemical coats the surface of the poles and can easily be transferred to the skin through dermal contact, safety fencing should be installed around the poles to prevent incidental contact with the poles by children or other persons, pets, and wildlife. In addition, placards should be placed on each new pole to warn residents not to touch or otherwise make contact with the pole or the soil in its vicinity.  Residents in the area should be notified of the potential hazard associated with the new poles and they should be instructed to avoid the poles so that they do not inhale or ingest penta (penta can be ingested by dermal contact with the pole or contaminated soil, and then transferring the penta by touching the eyes, nose, or mouth).”

Most of this report is taken directly from the official report by Dermody Consulting to ensure accurate reporting of this information. The report is available from LIBFRE at rebsinger@hotmail.com.