PRELIMINARY PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
WASTE MANAGEMENT OF WISCONSIN-BROOKFIELD
BROOKFIELD, WAUKESHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN
EPA FACILITY ID: WID980901235 
January 14, 1994
Prepared by:
Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Health
Under Cooperative Agreement With The
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND OTHER HAZARDS
COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS EVALUATION
NEED FOR FOLLOW-UP HEALTH ACTIVITIES
PREFACE: THE PURPOSE OF HEALTH ASSESSMENTS
The federal "Superfund" law requires the U. S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a health assessment of all toxic waste sites that the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes for inclusion on the list of the nation's most hazardous waste sites. This list formally is called the National Priorities List. The Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services works with ATSDR to prepare assessments. The purposes of health assessments are:
For each assessment health professionals look at the types of contamination present, including each chemical's toxicity; ability to move through soil, water or air; persistence in the environment; and ability to accumulate in the food chain. They look at ways that people could be exposed to contaminants such as eating, breathing, or touching the chemicals. Investigators check relevant health records when appropriate to see if there may be increases in health effects related to public exposure to contaminants from the site. Finally, an assessment identifies the health hazards that a site may pose and recommends action to protect public health now and in the future.
A preliminary health assessment was initiated in 1990, but had not been finalized. No Superfund activity has taken place at the site since that time. Superfund activities will be starting up at the site in the near future. This document is being updated so that the conclusions and recommendations can help identify data needs for the Remedial Investigation Workplan for the site.
