ATSDR-Releases Draft Health Consultation for International Minerals

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
ATSDR Releases Draft Health Consultation
for International Minerals and
Chemical and Arkwright Dump Sites

For Immediate Release: June 11, 2002

What: 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 draft public health consultation for the International Minerals & Chemical (IMC) and Arkwright Dump sites in Spartanburg, S.C.

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 to current residents living near the sites.

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

Based on 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 surface living area dust has not been fully characterized.
Data characterizing the extent of lead contamination in the surface soil is limited. However, some samples of residential soil lead above 400 mg/kg were reported. These "hot spots" might present a health hazard for children if frequent contact occurs.

Because of the environmental data limitations and gaps as outlined in the health consultation, ATSDR has categorized this site as an "Indeterminate Public Health Hazard" until sufficient data becomes available. In the health consultation, ATSDR recommends more complete site characterizations and evaluations.

Where: Copies of ATSDR's public health consultation is available for public review at the following repository:

Spartanburg County Public Library
151 S. Church St.
Spartanburg

When: The public comment period for the health consultation runs through July 11, 2002. Written comments should be sent 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 health consultation. Although names of those submitting comments will not be included in the final health consultation, they are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

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 & Chemical and Arkwright Dump sites." ATSDR Regional Representative Benjamin Moore also may be called for information in Atlanta at (404) 562-1784.

Background: 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 health consultations every year. Most requests for health consultations come from EPA, and state and local health and environmental departments.

Editors: Members of the news media are requested to make an appointment to interview ATSDR staff. Please contact John Florence or Kathy Skipper, ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs, at (404) 498-0070.

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This page last updated on June 12, 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: atsdmediainquiries@cdc.gov (news media)