ATSDR - Former Naval Air Station Alameda Site in Alameda, Calif.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Public Health Assessment for Former
Naval Air Station Alameda Site in Alameda, Calif.

Site Poses No Apparent Public Health Hazard

For Immediate Release: Feb. 23, 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 comment a public health assessment (PHA) addressing human exposure to various contaminants at the former Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda site in Alameda, Calif.

After conducting an evaluation of available environmental data and potential exposure situations, ATSDR has concluded that exposure to contaminated groundwater, soil, indoor air, and fish do not pose a public health hazard to residents of the former NAS Alameda (now known as Alameda Point).

Alameda Point is located at the western end of Alameda Island, Calif. The area was an industrial area from the early 1900s until it was acquired in 1930 for military purposes. Between 1936 and 1997, NAS Alameda was an active naval installation. In September 1993, NAS Alameda was designated for closure. NAS Alameda ceased operations in September 1996 and officially closed in April 1997. Currently, the U.S. Navy is preparing the property for return to the city of Alameda. The city of Alameda is working with the Alameda Reuse and Redevelopment Authority to determine appropriate reuse activities for the land.

As a result of routine use, disposal, and accidental releases, hazardous materials contaminated various media at NAS Alameda. Typical operations on NAS Alameda included metal plating, paint removal, aircraft maintenance, fueling, engine testing, pest control, and missile reworking. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed NAS Alameda on its National Priorities List in July 1999. The primary contaminants identified are volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as those used in cleaning solvents, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lead. These contaminants, as well as others, have been detected in air, groundwater, soil, and fish.

The agency concluded the exposures were at levels too low to result in adverse health effects. However, because people did come in contact with contaminants, ATSDR categorizes these situations as posing no apparent public health hazard.

In addition to environmental data, ATSDR evaluated information from the Base Reuse Plan to determine where sensitive populations would be located in the future, and in 2000 conducted base visits and met with representatives from NAS Alameda. Conclusions regarding potential past, current, and future exposure situations on and in the communities near NAS Alameda are based on a thorough evaluation of base investigation data and observations made during base visits.

The public health assessment is available for review and comment from Feb. 27 through March 31, 2004 at the following repositories:

Alameda Interim Library
2200-A Central Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501
510-749-5952

DTSC File Room
700 Heinz Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-540-3800 (call for appointment)

Comments on the public health assessment must be made in writing. 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 this public comment period will be logged in to ATSDR's administrative record for this health assessment. 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 assessment. 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 can contact Regional Representative Gwendolyn Eng at 415-947-4317. In addition, Carole Hossom, health assessor, or La Freta Dalton, health communications specialist, may be contacted toll free, at 1-888-422-8737.

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.

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Updated by R. Searfoss February 24, 2004
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
1-888-422-8737 or e-mail (public inquiries)
404-498-0080 or e-mail (news media)