The contaminated areas in Ringwood are not clearly delineated or cordoned off as a Superfund site. There are trails that run throughout the woods and hikers are periodically spotted in or near contaminated zones. Above is a visualization of the Hasenclever Iron Trail. Despite evidence of contamination absorption, residents are still using nearby sites for hunting. A public health assessment completed by the NJDHSS in 2011 concluded that there were completed exposure pathways between contamination and human ingestion/ absorption. Lead levels tested in children have shown dangerously high exposure rates. However, the high rates have been attributed to incidental ingestion of contaminated soil, sediment, paint sludge and surface water, not direct ingestion of animal and plant tissue (NJDHSS, 2011).
Deer, squirrel, rabbit, and turkey were tested for contamination. The EPA concluded that even though contaminants present in animal muscle tissue tested higher than the reference tests, they were not considered high enough to harm people’s health if consumed. Test results vary widely between laboratories. The EPA states that the risks of adverse health effects from contaminated animal products are low in comparison to existing background cancer risk, and eating contaminated game “should not harm people’s health” (NJDHSS, 2009).
Squirrels from the site were tested by four different agencies: NJDHSS, ATSDR, NJDEP, and USEPA. NJDEP issued an advisory requesting consumption of squirrels to be limited due to the high levels of lead present in tissue samples. The EPA rejected the findings by blaming a defective blender used to process tissue samples as the reason for the high levels of lead found in the squirrel (NJDHSS, 2009).
Wild carrots from three different contamination sites were tested for metals and synthetic organic chemicals by the USEPA and NJDEP. Even though tests showed lead levels many times higher than in the control tests, the tests were determined inconclusive because the amount of lead found in the carrots collected at contamination sites did not correlate to the low levels of lead found in the soil. They claimed the differing amounts cast doubts on the accuracy of the reference area and site data. The organizations cannot say conclusively whether consuming wild carrot will cause harm to human health.
