News Release
Len Fishman Commissioner of Health
CN 360 Trenton, N.J. 08625-0360
For Further Information Contact:
Rita Manno
Department of Health
984-7160
Paul Wolcott
Department of Environmental Protection
- 984-1795
For Release:
May 8, 1996
TOMS RIVER - Based on the water test results to date, Health Commissioner Len Fishman
told Toms River residents their water meets federal and state standards in virtually all areas and
they can continue to drink it, bathe in it and cook with it.
Fishman and representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection discussed the
results of the water quality tests performed on the Toms River water system on a two-hour cable
television show and later at a community meeting.
Water samples from 23 public and private schools, five points of entry in the water system and
nine wells were tested. Tests were run on more than 230 chemical and radiological compounds.
"There has never been a water system subjected to such scrutiny," Fishman said. "This is the
most comprehensive, the most intensive, the most in depth study of a public water system ever
undertaken in New Jersey," he added.
The water study is the first step in a study by the New Jersey Department of Health and the
federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) into the incidence of
childhood cancer in Dover Township.
Among the findings of the water tests presented by Leslie McGeorge, director of the Division of
Science and Research at the Department of Environmental Protection:
* None of the 88 pesticides tested for was found in any of the 37 water samples tested.
* None of the 60 volatile organic chemicals (such as paint thinners and wood preservatives) was
found above an established drinking water standard in any school sample.
* No other synthetic organic chemicals - which are manmade compounds (such as plastics and
fuel oil )commonly associated with industrial processes - were detected in any school water
supply. There were 23 school water samples tested for 63 chemicals.
* Elevated levels of lead were found in the "first draw" water samples at 6 out of 23 schools.
One school, Toms River High School South, also had "first draw " elevated copper levels. The
"first draw" samples are taken first thing in the morning after water sits in the pipes overnight.
When the plumbing system was flushed by running water for at least one minute, the lead and
copper levels dropped dramatically in all schools and were well within the standard.
The schools are Toms River High School East, Toms River High School South, Hooper, Silver
Bay, West Dover and St. Joseph. Another school, Toms River Special Education, had lower lead
levels but was included in the general notification program.
All schools have been notified and have agreed to begin a flushing program similar to ones
recommended to other schools around the state where similar conditions have been found.
Two sets of water tests are not yet complete at this time. As previously reported on April 17,
preliminary tests for radioactive materials (Gross Alpha) indicated more testing is necessary..
Water samples are being tested at laboratories at DEP, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and a private certified facility selected by the water company. Also, the Center for
Advanced Food and Technology at Rutgers University is performing analysis of chemicals that
include dyes.
Attached are charts used by McGeorge in her presentation.
SAMPLING DESIGN FOR TOMS RIVER AREA DRINKING WATER
7 23 public and private schools
sampled March 28
7 analyzed for 203 substances
7 5 points-of-entry
sampled April4
7 analyzed for 231 substances
7 9 wells
sampled April 4
7 analyzed for 167 substances
SCHOOLS
CONTAMINANT NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER ABOVE*
CATEGORY ANALYZED DETECTED HEALTH STANDARD
Volatile organics 60 9 0
Synthetic organics 63 0 0
Pesticides 62 0 0
Trace metals & asbestos) 15 6 2
Radiological ** 3 1** 0
Total 203 16 2
* Does not constitute a "violation" of a standard.
** Radiological tests have not all been completed - results for radium-226 and radium-228 are
not yet available.
POINTS OF ENTRY
CONTAMINANT NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER ABOVE*
CATEGORY ANALYZED DETECTED HEALTH STANDARD
Volatile organics 60 5 0
Synthetic organics 63 0 0
Pesticides 88 0 0
Trace metals & asbestos) 15 6 0
Radiological ** 5 1** 1
Total 231 12 1
* Does not constitute a "violation" of a standard.
** Radiological tests have not all been completed - results for radium-226 and radium-228 are
not yet available.
WELLS
CONTAMINANT NUMBER NUMBER NUMBER ABOVE*
CATEGORY ANALYZED DETECTED HEALTH STANDARD
Volatile organics 60 6 1
Synthetic organics 29 0 0
Pesticides 62 0 0
Trace metals & asbestos) 15 6 1
Radiological ** 1 1** 0
Total 167 13 2
* Does not constitute a "violation" of a standard.
** Radiological tests have not all been completed - results for radium-226 and radium-228 are
not yet available.
Dover Township Water Testing
May 8, 1996
What was tested and when?
23 Public and Private Schools March 28, 1996
5 Points-of-entry ("treated" water) April 4, 1996
9 Wells ("raw" water) April 4, 1996
What kind of testing was done?
Volatile Organics
Synthetic Organics
Radiologgicals
Trace Metals & Asbestos
Pesticides
How many tests were done?
23 SCHOOLS:
8 Test Methods
203 Chemical Substances & Radiologicals
5 POINTS-OF-ENTRY:
11 Test Methods
231 Chemical Substances & Radiologicals
9 WELLS
167 Chemical Substances & Radiologicals
Where was testing done?
NJ Department of Health, Environmental Labs
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Rutgers University, Center for Food Technology
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Contract Laboratory (for Uniled Water Company)
What tests are still being conducted?
Dyes and Dye by-products
Additional radiologicals
A full set of tests for a 6th point-of-entry
New Jersey State Department of Health Division of Public Health and Environmental
Laboratories Environmental and Chemical Laboratory Services
Analytical Methods used in the Dover Township Water Study
by NJ Department of Health Laboratories
VOLATILE ORGANICS (PURGEABLES):
(vs EPA 524.2, REVISION 3. 0)
Volatile organic compounds are purged out of a water sample at ambient temperature using
helium. The purgeable compounds, in a gaseous form, are swept through a sorbent trap onto
which the purgeable compounds are collected. After purging has been completed, the trap is
heated and backflushed with helium to desorb the purgeable compounds onto a gas
chromatographic column. The gas chromatograph is temperature programmed to separate the
purgeable compounds which are then detected with a mass spectrometer. The organic
compounds are identified by comparing their measured mass spectra and retention times to
reference spectra and retention times in a data base.
SEMIVOLATILE ORGANICS: (vs EPA 525.2, REVISION I. 0)
Organic compounds are extracted from a water sample by passing one liter of sample (water)
through an extraction disk. The organic compounds are transferred from the extraction disk to a
solvent. This extract is concentrated further by evaporation. The organic compounds are
separated, identified and measured by injecting a small portion of the extract into a gas
chromatograph/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) system. The organic compounds are identified by
comparing their measured mass spectra and retention times to reference spectra and retention
times in a data base
SEMIVOLATILE ORGANICS:
(vs EPA 625)
This method is very similar in principle to US EPA method 525.2 except that it was designed for
detection of organic compounds that are regulated in the wastewater industry and, therefore,
focuses on a different list of specific organic compounds with slightly higher method detection
limits.
ORGANOHALIDE PESTICIDES AND PCB'S:
(us EPA 505, REVISION 2. 0)
Organohalide Pesticides are extracted from a sample of water with hexane. A portion of the
extract is then injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector for
separation and analysis. Aqueous calibration standards are extracted and analyzed in an
identical manner in order to compensate for possible extraction losses.
METAL ANALYSIS BY GRAPHITE FURNACE AAS/ICP SPECTROMETRY
(US EPA 200. 9 and US EPA 200. 7)
These two methods involve the acid digestion of a water sample followed by instrumental
analysis.
7 The Graphite Furnace AAS consists of the placement of a portion of the water sample in a
graphite tube inside the AAS's furnace. The sample is evaporated to dryness, charred, and
atomized. Radiation from a given excited element is passed through a vapor containing ground
state atoms of that element.The intensity of the transmitted radiation decreases in proportion to
the amount of the ground state element in the vapor. This light absorption is measured and
translated to the concentration of the respective element.
7 The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectrometry technique involves the measurement of
atomic emission. Samples are nebulized and the aerosol that is produced is transported to the
plasma torch where excitation occurs. Characteristic atomic-line emission spectra are
produced by a radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma. Light emission is measured and
translated to the concentration of the respective element.
MERCURY BY COLD VAPOR ATOMIC ABSORPTION
(vs EPA 245.1)
Cold-vapor atomic absorption is based on the absorption of radiation at the 253.7-nm
wavelength by mercury vapor. The mercury is reduced to the elemental state and aerated from
solution in a once through system. The mercury vapor passes through a cell positioned in the
light path of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Absorbance is measured as a function of
mercury concentration.
ASBESTOS FIBERS IN DRINKING WATER
(vs EPA 101.2)
A water sample is filtered through a 0.1 to 0.22 um pore filter. After which a portion of the filter is
prepared by carbon extraction replication and is examined on a Transmission Electron
Microscope (TEM) at a magnification of 10,000 to 20,000x. Asbestos fibers are classified using
morphology, selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive x-ray analysis
(EDAX). Asbestos fibers greater than 10 um in length are counted and reported.
DETERMINATION OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS CONTAINING PESTICIDES IN WATER: (US EPA 507)
Preformed at NJDEP
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Containing Pesticides are extracted from a sample of water with
methylene chloride. The methylene chloride is isolated, dried and concentrated during a solvent
exchange to methyl ter-butyl ether. A portion of the extract is then injected into a gas
chromatograph equipped with a nitrogen-phosphorus detector for separation and analysis.
1,ZDIBROMOETHANE (EDB) AND 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE @BCP) IN WATER:
(vs EPA 504) Performed at NJDEP
The water sample is extracted with hexane. A portion of the extract is then injected into a gas
chromatograph equipped with a linearized electron capture detector for separation and analysis.
Aqueous calibration standards are extracted and analyzed in an identical manner in order to
compensate for possible extraction losses.
DETERMINATION OF CHLORINATED ACIDS IN WATER USING LIQUID-SOLID
EXTRACTION: (vs EPA 515.2) Performed at NJDEP
The water sample pH is adjusted to 12 with sodium hydroxide and hydrolyzed for 1 hour. The
sample is then acidified and the chlorinated acids extracted with a polystrene divinyl hexane
extraction disk. The acids are converted to their methyl esters using diazomethane. The esters
are determined by capillary column gas chromatography using an electron capture detector.
MEASUREMENT OF N-METHYLCARBAMOYLOXIMES AND N-METHYLCARBAMATES IN
WATER:
(US EPA 531.1) Performed at NJDEP
The water sample is filtered and injected into a reverse phase HPLC column. Separation of the
analytes is achieved using gradient elution chromatography. After elution from the HPLC column,
the analytes are hydrolyzed with sodium hydroxide and reacted with o-phthalaldehyde and
mercaptoethanol to form a highly fluorescent derivative which is detected by a florescent
detector.
MEASUREMENT OF SEMI-VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS BY HPLC/MS:
RUTGERS vNNERSITY RESEARCH METHOD
The water sample is extracted by either methylene chloride and/or solid phase extraction. The
extracts are then analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) utilizing a mass
spectrometer detector. The organic compounds are identified by comparing their measured mass
spectra and retention times to reference spectra and retention times in a data base.
New Jersey State Department of Health Division of Public Health and Environmental
Laboratories Environmental and Chemical Laboratory Services
Simple Definitions
of Enviranmental Chemistvy Techniques
Gas Chromatograpby (GC):
This is a technique in which the sample is vaporized by heating and then forced through a long
thin hollow column. The inside surface of the column is coated with a material that separates the
individual chemicals from one another. The identity of each chemical is determined by the length
of time it takes it to travel the length of the column.
Mass Spectrometry (MS):
This is a technique which is often used in conjunction with gas chromatography. The mass
spectrometer breaks each chemical down into numerous fragments. The number and type of
fragments produce a pattern called a mass spectrum. This mass spectrum serves as a finger
print for each chemical. The identity of each compound can be determined by examination of this
pattern.
Atomic Spectroscopy
This is a technique that utilizes the tendency of atoms to absorb or emit light when they change
energy states. By measuring the change in the level of light within the instrument's light path, the
concentration of a metal can be determined. By choosing the wavelength used, the metal can be
identified.
GraphPte Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (GFAAS)
One of three techniques used to hold metal samples in the light path for atomic spectroscopy. A
small electric furnace heats the metal to the gaseous state in the light path of the instrument.
Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (CVAAS)
One of three techniques used to hold metal samples in the light path for atomic spectroscopy.
This technique takes advantage of the tendency of mercury to go into the gaseous state when air
is passed through the sample.
Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma (ICP)
One of three techniques used to hold metal samples in the light path for atomic spectroscopy.
This technique uses a highly ionized gas to convert the metals into a high energy gaseous state.
Target Compounds
Are those for which an instrument has been calibrated.
Non-target Compounds
Are those for which an instrument has not been calibrated. Rather, these compounds are
tentative identifications based upon a computer's assessment of historical data.
EPA METHOD 505
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Simazine
Atrazine
Hexachlorobenzene
Lindane
Alachlor
Heptachlor
Aldrin
Heptachlor epoxide
Gamma Chlordane
Alpha Chlordane
Trans Nonachlor
Dieldrin
Endrin
Methoxychlor
PCBs
Chlordanes
Toxaphene
EPA METHOD 507
Alachlor
Ametryn
Atraton
Atrazine
Bromacil
Butachlor
Butylate
Carboxin
Chlorpropham
Cycloate
Diazinon(a)
Dichlorvos
Diphenamid
Disulfoton
Disulfoton sulfone
Disulfoton sulfoxide
EPTC
Ethoprop
Fenamiphos
Fenarimol
Fluridone
Hexazinone
Merphos
Methylparaoxon
Metochlor
Metribuzin
Mevinphos
MGK264
Molinate
Napropamide
Norflurazon
Pebulate
Prometon
Prometryn
Pronamide
Propazine
Simazine
Simetryn
Stirofos
Tebuthiuron
Terbacil
Terbufos
Terbutryn
Triademefon
Tricyclazole
Vernolate
EPA METHOD 524.2
Dichlorodifluotomethane
Chloromethane
Vinyl Chloride
Bromoethane
Chloroethane
Trichlorofluoromethane
1, 1-Dichloroethene
Methylene Chloride
Trans-1,2 Dichloroethene
Methyl Tert-butyl Ether
Tert-butyl Alcohol
l,l-Dichloroethane
2,2-Dichloropropane
Cis-l ,2 Dichloroethene
Chloroform
Bromochloromethane
l,l,l-Trichloroethane
Carbon Tetrachloride
Benzene
1,2-Dichloroethane
Trichloroethene
1,2-Dichloropropane
Bromodichloromethane
Dibromomethane
Cis-1,3-Dichloropropene
Trans-1, 3-Dichloropropene
Toluene
1,1 ,2 Trichloroethane
Tetrachloroethene
1,3-Dichloropropane
Dibromochloromethane
1,2-Dibromoethane
Chlorobenzene
1,1 ,1,2-Tetrachloroethane
Ethylbenzene
M/P-Xylene
O-Xylene
Styrene
Bromoform
Isopropylbenzene
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Bromobenzene
1,2,3-Trichloropropane
N-Propylbenezene
2Chlorotoluene
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene
4Chlorotoluene
Tert-butylbenzene
Sec-butylbenzene
P-Iospropyltoluene
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
1,4-dichlorobenzene
N-butylbenzene
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloro propane
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Naphthalene
1,2,3 -Trichlorobenzene
EPA METHOD 525.2
Hexaclorocyclopentadiene
Diethylphthalate
Acenaphthylene
2Chlorobiphenyl
Dietylphthalate
Fluorene
2,3-Dichlotobiphenyl
Hexachlorobenzene
Simazine
Atrazine
Pentachlorophenol
Lindane
Phenanthrene
Anthracene
2,4,5-Trichloropheny1
Heptachlor
Alachlordi-n-butylPhthalate
2,2,4,4Tetrachlorobephenyl
alpha-chlordane
Pyrene
gamma-chlordane
trans-nonaclor
2,2,4,4,5,6hexachlorobiphenyl
Endrin
butylbenzyPhthalate
di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate
Chrysene
benz[a]anthracene
2,2,3,3,4,4,6-heptachlorophenyl
di(2-ethylhexyl)Phehalate
benzo[b]fluoranthene
benzo[k]fluoranthene
benzo[a]pyrene
indeno[l,2,3,c,d]pyrene
dibenz[a,h]anthracene
benzo[g,h,i]perylen
TRACE METALS
Arsenic
Antimony
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Lead
Mercury
Molybdenum
Nickel
Selenium
Tin
Thallium
US EPA METHOD 504
1,2 Dibromoethane
1,2 Dibromo3-Chloropropane
US EPA METHOD 515.2
Dalapon
3,5-2C1-Benzoic Acid
4-Nirophenol
Dicamba
Dichloroprop
2,4-D
Pentachlorophenol
I 2,4,5-TP
2,4,5-T Dinoseb
Chloramben
2,4-DB
Bentazon
DCPA
Picloram
Acifluorfen
US EPA METHOD 531.1
Aldicarb Sulfoxide
Aldicarb Sulfone
Oxamyl
Methomyl
3-0H Carbofuran
Aldicar
Baygon
Carbofuran
Carbaryl
Methiocarb
US EPA METHOD 101.2
Asbestos