EPA Superfund Site
BREMERTON GASWORKS
WA | EPA ID WAN001002907
About this site’s exposure pathways:
As of November 2024, the Bremerton Gas Works Superfund site is considered “Current Human Exposure Not Under Control” (HENC). The exposure pathways for workers in the upland include subchronic and/or chronic exposure to soil contaminated with arsenic, carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs), and naphthalene. The Tribal exposure pathway includes chronic exposure to surface sediment, surface water while collecting shellfish, and consumption of shellfish from contaminated sediments.
These exposure pathways are considered unacceptable based on EPA risk-based criteria:
Construction worker subchronic exposure to soil: RME soil noncancer HIs: adult (70),
Occupational worker chronic exposure to soil: RME soil cancer risks: adult (4 x 10-4), RME soil noncancer HI: adult (4),
Tribal chronic exposure to sediment, surface water, and clam consumption cancer risks: RME adult (2 x 10-4), child (1 x 10-4), and adult/child (4 x 10-4).
Cascade Natural Gas (CNG, a potentially responsible party) completed time critical removal actions (TCRAs) in 2010 and 2013 to address immediate exposure risks when sheen appeared in the Port Washington Narrows. During the 2010 TCRA, CNG cut and plugged a pipe that was believed to be the source of the sheen and placed an organoclay mat over impacted sediment. During the 2013 TCRA, CNG removed solid hydrocarbon material in the west beach area and installed an organoclay mat, plugged the manhole that was connected to the pipe, and installed signage to warn beach users of the presence of hydrocarbon sediments on the beach.
The planned activities to address exposure pathways are to complete the remedial investigation and feasibility study to determine the remedial action required to reduce risk at the site. EPA anticipates that human exposure will be under control by January 2031, because the remedial action will be complete and institutional controls implemented. Current exposure to workers to exposed soil in the uplands is considered minimal as most of the site is vacant, paved, or used as storage facilities. Beach access is limited due to the steep bluff and because the adjacent property is surrounded by a locked fence. Signs are posted to warn individuals that the beach is closed and not to harvest shellfish. The Washington Department of Health has also issued a fish advisory for the Port Washington Narrows prohibiting shellfish harvesting due to water pollution from combined sewer overflows (CSOs).