ATSDR - Public Comment Version of its Naval Air Station Fallon Publicv Health Consultation on Potential Exposures from the Jet Fuel Pipeline

ATSDR Media Announcements
ATSDR Releases Public Comment Version of
Public Health Consultation
on Potential Exposures from the Jet Fuel Pipeline
Supplying Naval Air Station Fallon

What: 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 a public health consultation for public review and comment on the possible health implications of the 63-mile-long pipeline used to furnish jet fuel to U.S. Naval Air Station Fallon in Fallon, Nevada.

Where: The health consultation is available for public review and comment at the following repository:

When: The public comment period for the health consultation will run through July 8, 2002. 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 consultation. Comments (without indication of who made them) and responses will be included in an appendix to the final document. Although names of those who have submitted comments will not be included in the final health consultation, they will be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

In preparing public health consultations, ATSDR health assessors rely on various sources of information. These sources may include environmental data, health data and reports of community concerns. Environmental data detail the chemicals at a site and indicate their potential pathways to reach humans. Health data can include reports of injury, disease, or death in the community, as well as information on the known health effects of chemicals at the site. Reports of community concerns document the public's descriptions of how the site affects their health and quality of life.

Background: In 2001, ATSDR and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were asked by the Nevada State Health Division (NSHD) and the Nevada governor to provide technical assistance in the investigation of excess cases of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in Fallon, Nevada.

ATSDR was asked to evaluate contaminant releases in Churchill County, Nevada, to assess the nature of completed exposure pathways for hazardous substances and the potential health effects for case families. Completed pathways are means by which hazardous substances in the environment can reach people. Environmental pathways can include air, soil, water - both surface water and groundwater, and biota (or plants and animals which make up the food supply).

ATSDR is the principal federal public health agency involved with issues related to hazardous waste. ATSDR identifies persons who might be exposed to hazardous substances in their communities, determines whether they have been harmed by their exposure, and recommends actions that need to be taken to safeguard their health and the health of their neighbors.

For more information: Community members may call Gail Scogin, ATSDR health assessor, or Rose Jackson, community involvement representative at 1(888) 42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Members of the news media who would like additional information about ATSDR's work at the site may contact John Florence, ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs, at 404-498-0070.

This page last updated on June 7, 2002
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
1-888-422-8737 or e-mail: atsdric@cdc.gov (public inquiries)
(404) 498-0080 or e-mail: atsdrmediainquiries@cdc.gov (news media)