The primary issue regarding public exposure to hazardous chemicals at Fort
Richardson is that of white phosphorous-contaminated waterfowl from Eagle
River Flats. Studies of waterfowl collected in the vicinity have not
detected the presence of white phosphorous. Therefore, this exposure
pathway is considered to be No Apparent Public Health Hazard.
Physical hazards such as derelict structures and open pits exist at Fort
Richardson. However, institutional controls are in place to prevent
public access. Therefore, this exposure pathway is considered to be No
Apparent Public Health Hazard.
Asbestos has been found in abandoned structures at Fort Richardson.
Access to these structures is limited by institutional controls.
Therefore, this is considered to be No Apparent Public Health Hazard.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA; also known as Superfund) as amended, requires ATSDR to conduct needed
follow-up health actions in communities living near hazardous waste sites. To
identify appropriate actions, ATSDR created the Health Activities
Recommendation Panel (HARP). HARP has evaluated the data and information
contained in the Fort Richardson Public Health Assessment for appropriate
public health actions. Based on the information available, this site poses no
apparent public health risk. If additional information becomes available that
may indicate a public health risk, this information will be evaluated the HARP.
HARP determined that health education and health studies follow-up actions are
not warranted. As discussed above, there do not appear to have been exposures
in the past which resulted in public health problems, and there are no current
exposures.
Fort Richardson should continue to monitor institutional controls at
contamination sites and at abandoned facilities to ensure that public
access is eliminated. Institutional controls should remain in effect
until the potential for public health hazard is eliminated.
ATSDR will evaluate future remedial investigation data to update our
exposure evaluation.
The public health action plan (PHAP) for Fort Richardson, Alaska NPL site
contains a description of actions to be taken by ATSDR and/or other
governmental agencies at and in the vicinity of the site subsequent to the
completion of this public health assessment. The purpose of PHAP is to ensure
that this public health assessment not only identifies public health hazards,
but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human
health effects would result from any exposure to hazardous substances in the
environment. Included is a commitment on the part of ATSDR to followup on this
plan. The public health actions to be implemented are as follows:
ATSDR will evaluate future remedial investigation data to assure that an
accurate exposure evaluation has been made.
The Army should continue to maintain institutional controls to restrict
the possibility of access to OUs that might present physical hazards.
ATSDR will review the remedial activities at Fort Richardson, to evaluate
the proposed remediations in relation to protection of public health.
ATSDR comments, and recommendations, as appropriate, will be provided to
EPA, the Army and State of Alaska.
ATSDR will reevaluate and modify the Public Health Action Plan as needed. New
relevant data, or the results of implementing the above proposed actions may
determine the need for additional actions at this site.
