ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Public Health Assessment
for Amoco-Sugar Creek, Mo., site

Finds Exposure to Indoor Air Presents No Apparent Public Health Hazard

For Immediate Release: June 10, 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 the final version of its public health assessment for the Amoco-Sugar Creek (aka Amoco Oil Company) site in Sugar Creek, Mo.

One of a series of public health documents, this public health assessment specifically looks at whether residents of the Norledge area, adjacent to the southern boundary of the site, are chronically exposed to benzene and other contaminants in indoor air at levels of potential health concern. And, this public health assessment includes the agency's responses to comments received on the public comment version of the document.

The health assessment finds that although Norledge-area residents are chronically exposed to indoor air contaminants, the contaminant levels detected in indoor air are not likely to be associated with adverse health effects. ATSDR therefore categorizes the current chronic exposures to indoor air in Norledge-area homes as presenting no apparent public health hazard.

In evaluating indoor air data collected in June, July and October 1999 from Norledge-area homes, ATSDR found that a current, completed exposure pathway to indoor air exists for residents who live in this area. However, the chemical levels detected would not be expected to produce adverse health effects in area residents. Ongoing remedial activities by BP Amoco in the Norledge area should result in decreasing contaminant concentrations in groundwater and subsurface soil. Therefore, any potential contribution from these media to indoor air levels should decrease as well.

In June 1998, ATSDR received a petition to conduct a public health assessment of the former Amoco Oil petroleum refinery in Sugar Creek. Petitioners described the Norledge area as an area at risk for off-site migration of contaminants. Through a series of public health assessments and health consultations, ATSDR evaluated off-site groundwater, soil, soil gas, sediment, surface water and air data for the Norledge area.

For more information, community members can contact Environmental Health Scientist Danielle Langmann, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Denise Jordan-Izaguirre also may be contacted at 913-551-1310. Callers should refer to the Amoco-Sugar Creek site in Sugar Creek, Mo.

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. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

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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.