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Public Health Assessment |
Washington
Navy Yard
Washington, D.C.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has prepared a public health assessment (PHA) to evaluate whether past, current, or future exposure to site contamination could cause harm to persons living near or going on the site. Washington Navy Yard (WNY) is an active military facility located in southeastern Washington, D.C. Comments from the community and other interested parties are received during the public comment period, which is open for 30 days. Comments received during this time become part of the administrative record for the PHA. Instructions for individuals who want to make comments are provided in this document.
Background
The WNY facility covers 63.3 acres of land and lies on the Anacostia River in
a heavily urbanized area with industrial, commercial, residential, and vacant
properties in the immediate vicinity. Activities at WNY that may have
contributed to environmental contamination have included shipbuilding in the
1800s, ordnance research and construction in the mid-1800s to 1945. Since 1945,
WNY has had only administrative functions. Because of contamination detected in
the adjacent Anacostia River, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
proposed the site for listing on the National Priorities
List (NPL) in 1998.
ATSDR is required by Congress to conduct Public Health Assessments on all sites proposed to the NPL. In this Public Health Assessment, ATSDR evaluates the public health significance of the WNY site. ATSDR has reviewed available environmental data and community health concerns to determine whether adverse health effects are possible.
What is ATSDR?
ATSDR is a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. ATSDR’s mission is to prevent exposure to hazardous substances from
waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the
environment. ATSDR is not an enforcement
agency. It works closely with EPA and other federal, state, and local agencies
to protect public health.
ATSDR Conclusions and Recommendations about the Site
ö ATSDR recommends that the Washington, D.C., Department of Public Health continue its fish consumption advisory for the Anacostia and Potomac and post additional fish advisory warning signs, as appropriate, in visible locations along the lower reaches of the Anacostia River.
öATSDR recommends that the National Park Service improve the fishing advisory signs so that they are more easily seen in Anacostia Park. ATSDR recommends raising awareness about the fishing advisory among residents and health care providers.
Where can I get more information?
The PHA will be available for public review and comment from September 28, 2001 through October 31, 2001, at the following locations in Washington, D.C.:
District of Columbia Public Library
901 G Street, N.W.
District of Columbia Public Library,
Southeast Branch
403 7th Street, S.E.
District of Columbia Department of Health
Toxic Substances Br.
51 N Street, N.E.HQ NDW Washington Navy Yard
1014 N Street, SE
Barry Farm Community Center
1326 Stevens Road, SE WNY Atlantic Division
1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, VA
To discuss the PHA, call Laura Frazier, ATSDR Health Assessor, or Dawn O’Connor, ATSDR Community Involvement Specialist, in Atlanta, Georgia, at our toll free number, 1-888-422-8737; or call Thomas Stukas, ATSDR Regional Representative in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 215/814-3142. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. After hours, leave a message including your name, area code and number.
Where do I send my comments?
Please send written comments to:
Chief, Program Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch ATSDR 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Mailstop E-56 Atlanta, Georgia 30333 |
Comments received during the public comment period will be logged and become part of the administrative record for the health assessment. Comments (without indication of who made them) and responses will be included in an appendix to the final health assessment. Although names of those who have submitted comments will not be included in the final health assessment, they are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.
See
the ATSDR News Archive for previous news items.
Back to ATSDR Home page
This page last updated on October 15, 2001
Contact Name: Maria Gosa/mjg4@cdc.gov
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