ATLANTA - Exposure to site-related contaminants in fish or soil could increase the risk of harmful health effects from the Ward Transformer site in Raleigh, N.C., says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The document will be available for public review and comment through Dec. 27.

ATSDR representatives will be available to discuss these findings with community members at an availability session sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Nov. 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Morrisville Commerce Building, 260 Town Hall Drive, Suite A, Morrisville, N.C.

In the assessment, ATSDR evaluated contaminant levels, how people came in contact with the contaminants and community concerns to determine how contaminants could affect public health. The assessment conclusions include

• Edible portions of fish from areas downstream of the site have polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at levels high enough to increase the possible risk of cancer and other health effects for people who eat these fish regularly.
• Exposure of site workers to PCBs in soil could contribute to an increased theoretical risk of developing cancer.
• Exposure to PCBs in sediment and surface water is not a significant contributor to overall possible cancer risk. However, sediments may contribute to PCB contamination in the aquatic food chain. Consumption of contaminated fish could increase the risk of cancer and other adverse health effects.
• The groundwater beneath the site is not being used for drinking water and therefore is not of public health concern at this time. However, limited data suggest that the groundwater might be affected by site contaminants. Not enough information exists to determine whether harmful health effects could be possible if the groundwater was used for drinking.

• The public should follow fish advisories placed by the State of North Carolina. Advisories caution against eating any species of fish from Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Little Brier Creek downstream of Brier Creek Parkway, and the tributary leading from the Ward Transformer site. The state also advises against eating any carp or catfish, or more than one meal per month of other types of fish, from Lake Crabtree.
• Action should be taken to minimize exposure of employees at Ward Transformer to PCBs in soil.
• Action should be taken to reduce the contribution of contaminants in sediment to the food chain.
• Groundwater beneath the site, if used for drinking water in the future, should be fully characterized to determine its impact on public health.

The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings or proposed activities noted in the assessment. Residents are encouraged to participate. The assessment is available online at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/. It is also available for public review through Dec. 27 at

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to the ATSDR administrative record for this public health assessment. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members may contact Environmental Health Scientist Jill Dyken or Community Involvement Specialist Ruby Palmer, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Benjamin Moore also may be contacted at 1-800-241-1754 ext. 21784.

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.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the ATSDR Office of Communication at 404-498-0070.