ATSDR - releases final public health consultation for the International Minerals and Chemical (IMC) and Arkwright Dump sites in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
ATSDR releases final health consultation for the
International Minerals and Chemical and Arkwright Dump
sites in Spartanburg, South Carolina

For Immediate Release: October 4, 2002

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released its final public health consultation for the International Minerals and Chemical (IMC) and Arkwright Dump sites in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region IV office asked ATSDR to review and evaluate analytical data acquired by Boston Chemical Data Corp. for contaminants near the IMC and Arkwright Dump sites in Spartanburg, and to address possible health effects from the contaminants on people living near the sites.

The health consultation reviews and evaluates available analytical data collected on March 22 through June 19, 2001, by Boston Chemical Data Corp., under contract to the community group ReGenesis. Evaluated samples were collected from off-site surface soil, sediments and home dust. The samples were analyzed for metals, dioxin and some soil nutrients.

On the basis of its review and evaluation of the data provided by Boston Chemical Data Corp., ATSDR concludes:

The extent of dioxin and lead contamination in surface soil and dust on surfaces in living areas has not been fully characterized. Many sources may contribute to the potential contamination in residential areas. For example, the burning of wood and other fuels and cigarette smoking are sources for dioxin contamination. Lead-based paint and certain types of plumbing fixtures are sources of lead contamination. Also, some industrial processes can contribute to either dioxin or lead contamination.
Data characterizing the extent of lead contamination in the surface soil is limited. However, some samples of residential soil lead above 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) were reported. Frequent contact with soil above 400 mg/kg may present a health hazard for children.

As outlined in the health consultation, because of the limitations and gaps in the environmental data ATSDR has categorized this site as an "indeterminate public health hazard" until sufficient data becomes available. In the final health consultation, ATSDR recommends more complete site characterizations and evaluations using comprehensive approaches supported by appropriate federal and local health agencies as well as potentially responsible parties and individual homeowners.

Copies of ATSDR's final public health consultation on the IMC and Arkwright Dump sites are available for review at the following repository:

Spartanburg County Public Library
Attn: Pat Brown, Business Reference Librarian
151 S. Church St.
Spartanburg

Community members seeking information on the procedures or the content of this health consultation should contact ATSDR Environmental Health Scientist Jane Zhu, toll-free, at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Callers should refer to the "International Minerals and Chemical and Arkwright Dump sites." ATSDR Regional Representative Benjamin Moore also may be called for information in Atlanta at 1-800-241-1754, ext. 21784.

An ATSDR health consultation provides conclusions and recommendations on specific public health issues related to actual or potential exposure to hazardous substances. ATSDR prepares about 1,000 public health consultations every year. Most requests for health consultations come from EPA, and state and local health and environmental departments.

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This page last updated on October 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: atsdrmediainquires@cdc.gov (news media)