ATSDR - Pahokee and South Bay Municipal Water Systems Site in Palm Beach County, Fla.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Health Consultation for the Pahokee and South Bay Municipal Water Systems Site in Palm Beach County, Fla.

For Immediate Release: April 7, 2004

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today released for public review and comment a health consultation addressing exposure to total trihalomethanes (THMs) detected in the Pahokee and South Bay municipal water systems in Palm Beach County, Fla.

The use of chlorine disinfection in public water supplies is extremely effective in preventing exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses and subsequent disease. THMs are chemicals, and one of many groups of disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed as a result of the chlorination of water containing organic material.

Some scientific studies suggest a link between exposure to THMs and adverse health effects. ATSDR was asked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate potential health concerns from exposures to THMs in the South Bay and Pahokee communities.

ATSDR will host public availability sessions during the public comment period
(April 7-May 21, 2004) in Pahokee and South Bay, Florida. Meeting times and locations will be announced.

The health consultation is available for review at the following repositories:

Loula V. York Branch Library
525 Bacom Point Road
Pahokee, FL 33476

Clarence E. Anthony Branch Library
375 S.W. 2nd Ave.
South Bay, FL 33493

Belle Glade Branch Library
503 South Main St.
Belle Glade, FL 33430

Glades Academy
1200 East Main St.
Pahokee, FL 33476

Comments on the health consultation must be made in writing and will be accepted through May 21, 2004. Mail comments to:

Chief, Program Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into ATSDR's administrative record for the health consultation. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR's responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health consultation. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members may contact Environmental Health Scientist Peter Kowalski or Health Communications Specialist Youlanda Outin, toll free, at
1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Benjamin Moore also may be contacted at
1-800-241-1754, ext. 21784. Please refer to the Pahokee/South Bay Municipal Water Systems site.

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.

Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Jennifer Sarginson or Jill Smith in the ATSDR Office of Communication at 404-498-0070.

Back to ATSDR Home page

Updated by R. Searfoss April 12, 2004
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
1-888-422-8737 or e-mail (public inquiries)
404-498-0080 or e-mail (news media)