ATSDR - Washington County Air Quality Site in Marietta, Ohio

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Final Health Consultation Concerning
Washington County Air Quality Site in Marietta, Ohio

Finding is Indeterminate Public Health Hazard

For Immediate Release: Feb. 19, 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 its final public health consultation regarding the Washington County Air Quality site in Marietta, Ohio. The site includes facilities operating at a former Union Carbide facility located on Route 7 in Washington County. This consultation is a revision of a document released in August 2003.

On the basis of lack of data, the site is categorized as an indeterminate public health hazard. ATSDR recommends that air modeling and additional air sampling be conducted to determine if there is contamination at levels that could cause adverse health effects.

Located several miles outside the city of Marietta, Ohio, a former Union Carbide facility complex is currently occupied by four companies including: Eramet Marietta, Inc. (EMI); Eveready Battery; Solvay Advanced Polymers; and Chevron-Phillips Chemical Company. An American Municipal Power (AMP) Ohio substation, originally built to provide power to Union Carbide, is located across the street from the complex. There is a residential area to the north of the facility.

Among ATSDR's findings are that exposure cannot be adequately assessed at this time because the locations for the air sampling data may not reflect the most highly exposed populations, the current sampling location may also contribute to airborne metals, and the data analysis has included a limited number of metals. As a result, the magnitude of exposures and the risk to public health is uncertain (an indeterminate public health hazard).

To better define the health concerns, specific recommendations for collecting additional air sampling data are provided below.

ATSDR or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should model emissions from EMI, Eveready, Solvay, Chevron, and AMP Ohio to determine what contaminants could be present in ambient air and the locations where they are likely to most significantly impact human health. This information will aid in determining the most appropriate locations for additional air sampling.

After modeling is completed, ATSDR, Ohio EPA, and EPA should determine what additional ambient air data is necessary to adequately investigate the impact of facility emissions on the health of residents.

When contaminants of concern have been identified, additional, long-term sampling should be performed (for 1 year or more).

ATSDR should evaluate the data collected from additional air monitoring and air modeling to better assess air pollutant exposure levels and the potential for health consequences in area residents.

ATSDR's conclusions and recommendations are included in the public health consultation, which is available for viewing at the following repositories:

Washington County Public Library
615 Fifth St.
Marietta, OH 45750
740-373-1057

Marietta College
215 Fifth St.
Marietta, OH 45750
740-376-4000

Washington County Public Library
Barlow Branch
Barlow, OH 45712
740-678-0103

For more information, community members can contact Environmental Health Scientist Jennifer Freed or Community Involvement Specialist Dawn O'Connor toll free at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Michelle Colledge also may be contacted at 312-886-1462. Callers should refer to the Washington County site in Washington County, Ohio.

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 February 20, 2004
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
1-888-422-8737 or e-mail (public inquiries)
404-498-0080 or e-mail (news media)