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ATSDR MEDIA
ANNOUNCEMENT
ATSDR releases results
of environmental exposure
pathway investigations supporting the Churchill County
Leukemia Cluster Investigation
in Fallon, Nev.
For Immediate Release: February 12, 2003
The investigations were requested by the Nevada State Health Division (NSHD) as part of the state's efforts to explain the incidence of childhood leukemia in Churchill County.
For the vast majority of contaminants and pathways reviewed, ATSDR did not find completed pathways of public health concern.
Specifically, ATSDR did not find a relationship between environmental exposure pathways and the leukemia cases in Churchill County.
The agency identified contamination sources, evaluated possible ways a contaminant might reach people and determined whether any contaminant in an exposure pathway was present at levels that could cause illness in the past, present or future.
In cooperation with NSHD, ATSDR will present its findings at a 6 p.m. town hall meeting tonight at the Fallon Convention Center, 100 Campus Way. The meeting is sponsored by the Community United Response Team in cooperation with Western Nevada Community College.
After their presentations, ATSDR scientists will be available to discuss their research with area residents. Agency scientists will return to the convention center to talk one-on-one with residents on Thursday, February 13, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
ATSDR's evaluations were performed by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, physicians and health educators.
Although ATSDR's activities focused on evaluating exposures that might relate to leukemia, the agency also considered public health effects pertinent to any exposure.
ATSDR's investigation reports include the following findings:
ATSDR did not find a relationship between environmental exposure pathways and the leukemia cases in Churchill County.
Evidence cross checked by multiple regulatory agencies showed no evidence of leaks from the JP-8 fuel pipeline serving Naval Air Station Fallon.
Activities at Naval Air Station Fallon are not a public health hazard.
Eating the mercury-contaminated fish and duck found in Churchill County is a potential public health hazard for humans, especially for long-term exposures to young children and women of childbearing age. County residents should follow the NSHD health advisories for fish and ducks.
The results of tap water samples collected in 2002 from 76 homes showed high levels of naturally occurring metals, such as arsenic and uranium. Tap water from these homes is drawn from private and municipal wells. The sampling results reflect water quality from the three different groundwater sources used for drinking water.
Arsenic levels in many tap water samples substantially exceeded the recently revised Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water standard for arsenic. Because studies in other parts of the world indicate that long-term exposures to similar levels of arsenic in drinking water can be associated with a number of adverse health effects, ATSDR recommends that, currently, tap water in Churchill County not be used as a primary drinking water source.
Uranium levels in tap water from some shallow private wells substantially exceeded the EPA drinking water standard for uranium. Toxicologic studies indicate that long-term exposures to uranium in drinking water at these concentrations may pose an increased risk of kidney damage. Therefore, people using those wells should consider using alternate sources for drinking water to reduce their exposures.
Tungsten was found in most tap water samples collected. EPA has no drinking water standard for tungsten. Research on the possible toxicologic effects of tungsten is very limited. However, efforts are underway to further define tungsten exposures in Nevada and to evaluate potential routes of exposure.
Along with the final version of ATSDR's examination of the JP-8 jet fuel pipeline, the public comment versions of four other reports are being released today. These documents report investigations into the following possible sources of environmental exposure:
Naval Air Station Fallon
Surface water
sediment and biota (focusing on fish and ducks)
Surface soils and residential indoor dust
Air quality
ATSDR's investigations into drinking water and pesticide use have not concluded. Reports on these examinations will be released in about six weeks.
The public comment versions of the ATSDR investigations released today are available for public review at the Churchill County Library, 533 S. Main St., Fallon.
The public comment period ends March 17, 2003. ATSDR welcomes comments from the public. Send written comments to the following address:
Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the administrative record of the reports. Public comments and ATSDR's responses will be included in an appendix to the final reports when they are released. Although the names of those who submit comments will not be included in the final reports, the names are subject to release in response to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.
Community members seeking information
on the procedures or the content of the reports should contact ATSDR's Regional
Representative Libby Levy in San Francisco at (415) 947-4319. Environmental
Health Scientist Gail Scogin also may be contacted by calling ATSDR toll-free
at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Callers should reference the Fallon leukemia
site.
Members of the news media may
request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Elaine McEachern or John Florence
in the ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs at 770-488-0700.
This page
updated February 12, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail
(news media)
ATSDR
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