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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Public Health Assessment for Public Review and Comment
for the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Finding Is No Apparent Current or Future Public Health Hazard

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2004

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today is issuing for public review and comment a public health assessment for the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant (VAAP) in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The public comment period extends through July 7, 2004. The public health assessment is available for review at the local repository. Its findings will be presented by an ATSDR representative at a June 17 meeting of the Restoration Advisory Board for the VAAP site.

The purpose of this public health assessment is to evaluate potential sources of contamination associated with the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant and to identify potential exposure pathways in the surrounding communities. The most common contaminants at the base are related to the historical production of trinitrotoluene (TNT). Other contaminants identified at some on-site locations include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides and metals.

ATSDR's review of available information indicates that people residing near the plant are not currently being exposed to site-related contaminants at levels that could result in adverse health effects. Because of insufficient sampling data it is not possible to completely evaluate the potential for exposure while the plant was producing TNT.

After evaluating available environmental information, ATSDR has drawn the following conclusions:
" Residents might have had limited exposure to some of the contaminants identified in the soil, surface water or sediment; however, the exposure is not expected to cause health effects.
" While the base was actively producing TNT, local residents might have been exposed to nitrogen and sulfur oxide air emissions. These types of exposures are known to cause short-term respiratory effects. However, there is not enough data to identify if long-term health effects could result from that exposure.
" Some groundwater contaminants migrated off-base. There is not enough sampling data to identify if residents were exposed to some of the contaminants in the groundwater while they were using private groundwater wells for their drinking water. Currently all residents are believed to be connected to the municipal water system, which provides clean drinking water that meets federal, state and local standards.

Further public health actions and recommendations are available in the complete public health assessment.

The public health assessment may be reviewed through July 7, 2004, at the
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library
1001 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402

Comments on the public health consultation must be made in writing. Mail comments to
Chief, Program Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to the ATSDR administrative record for this 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 can contact Environmental Health Scientist Sue Neurath or Health Communications Specialist Youlanda Outin, toll free, at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Carl Blair also may be contacted at 404-562-1786 or toll-free at 1-800-241-1754, ext. 1786. Callers should refer to the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant site in Chattanooga, Tenn.

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 Jennifer Sarginson or Jill Smith in the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.

Updated by R. Searfoss June 3, 2004
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)

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