STIBNITE/YELLOW PINE MINING AREA
STIBNITE, VALLEY COUNTY, IDAHO
APPENDIX D: ESTIMATED CARCINOGENIC EXPOSURE DOSES AND CANCER RISK
Table D-1. Summary of Carcinogenic Exposure
Dose and Cancer Risk of Arsenic in Different Areas
Contaminant
Exposure Media
Area 1 (Bradley Tailings and Naturalized
Ore Disposal Area)
Area 1 (Meadow Creek Mine Hillside)
Lower Meadow Creek Valley
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Carcinogenic Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day)
Surface Soil
3.2E-05
2.4E-05
9.1E-06
2.9E-05
2.2E-05
8.2E-06
1.9E-05
1.4E-05
5.4E-06
Surface Water
3.2E-06
4.9E-06
Fish
9.1E-08
1.4E-07
5.1E-08
Total
3.2E-05
2.4E-05
9.1E-06
2.9E-05
2.2E-05
8.2E-06
2.2E-05
1.9E-05
5.5E-06
Total Cancer Risk
4.8E-05
3.6E-05
1.4E-05
4.4E-05
3.3E-05
1.2E-05
3.3E-05
2.9E-05
8.3E-06
Contaminant
Exposure Media
Area 1 (Upgradient Wetland, excl. the UW-1
Hot Spot)
Area 1 (Keyway Wetland)
Area1 (Meadow Creek Forested Wetland)
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Carcinogenic Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day)
Surface Soil
4.9E-07
3.7E-07
1.4E-07
1.3E-05
9.5E-06
3.6E-06
2.5E-05
1.8E-05
6.9E-06
Surface Water
4.6E-05
7.0E-05
Fish
Total
4.9E-07
3.7E-07
1.4E-07
5.9E-05
8.0E-05
3.6E-06
2.5E-05
1.8E-05
6.9E-06
Total Cancer Risk
7.4E-07
5.6E-07
2.1E-07
8.9E-05
1.2E-04
5.4E-06
3.8E-05
2.7E-05
1.0E-05
Table D-1. Summary of Carcinogenic Exposure
Dose and Cancer Risk of Arsenic in Different Areas
Contaminant
Exposure Media
Southeast Dump and Midnight Creek)
Glory Hole, Northwest Dump and EFSFSR
Northeast Dump and Sugar Creek
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Carcinogenic Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day)
Surface Soil
1.0E-04
7.5E-05
2.8E-05
5.5E-05
4.1E-05
1.5E-05
1.1E-04
8.5E-05
3.2E-05
Surface Water
5.8E-06
8.7E-06
5.9E-06
8.9E-06
1.2E-06
1.8E-06
Fish
9.1E-08
1.4E-07
5.1E-08
9.3E-08
1.4E-07
5.2E-08
Total
1.1E-04
8.4E-05
2.8E-05
6.1E-05
5.0E-05
1.5E-05
1.1E-04
8.7E-05
3.2E-05
Total Cancer Risk
1.7E-04
1.3E-04
4.2E-05
9.2E-05
7.5E-05
2.3E-05
1.7E-04
1.3E-04
4.8E-05
Contaminant
Exposure Media
Location UW-1 (Upgradient Wetland)
Smelter Stack
DMEA Dump
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Carcinogenic Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day)
Surface Soil
2.1E-07
6.2E-08
8.6E-07
2.6E-06
7.9E-07
1.1E-05
2.0E-06
5.9E-07
8.3E-06
Surface Water
3.3E-07
2.0E-07
Fish
Total
5.4E-07
2.6E-07
8.6E-07
2.6E-06
7.9E-07
1.1E-05
2.0E-06
5.9E-07
8.3E-06
Total Cancer Risk
8.1E-07
3.9E-07
1.3E-06
3.9E-06
1.2E-06
1.7E-05
3.0E-06
1.4E-06
1.2E-05
Table D-1. Summary of Carcinogenic Exposure
Dose and Cancer Risk of Arsenic in Different Areas
Contaminant
Exposure Media
Location BD6 (Northwest Dump)
Bailey Tunnel Outlet
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Recreational Users
Reclamation Workers
Children
Adults
Children
Adults
Carcinogenic Exposure Dose (mg/kg/day)
Surface Soil
1.0E-06
3.0E-07
4.2E-06
Surface Water
5.4E-05
8.0E-05
Fish
Total
1.0E-06
3.0E-07
4.2E-06
5.4E-05
8.0E-05
Total Cancer Risk
1.5E-06
4.5E-07
6.3E-06
8.1E-05
1.2E-04
APPENDIX E: EXPOSURE DOSE CALCULATION EQUATIONS
Surface Soil
Estimated daily exposure from
ingestion of surface soil
Where,
Dose = mg/kg/day
Conc. = Concentration (mg/kg)
EF = Exposure frequency (days)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 day for hotspots and
8 days for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 day for hotspots and 8 days
for other areas
Reclamation workers: 14 day for hotspots and 90 days for other areas
IR = soil ingestion rate (mg/day)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 200 mg/day
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 100 mg/day
Reclamation workers: 100 mg/day
ED = exposure duration (years)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots
and 12 years for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots and 30 years
for other areas
Reclamation workers: 1 year for all hotspots and other areas
AF = absorption fraction (arsenic: 80% in Smelter Stack and 60% in all other
place; other contaminants: 100%)
BW = body weight (kg)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 45 kg
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 75 kg
Reclamation workers: 75 kg
AT = average time
For carcinogenic: 70 years (lifetime) for all the recreational users and reclamation
workers
For non-carcinogenic:
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots
and 12 years for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots and 30 years
for other areas
Reclamation workers: 1 year for all hotspots and other areas
Air Borne Particulate:
Estimated daily exposure from
inhalation of airborne particulate
No data available. BEHS assumes it is the same as the daily exposure from
ingestion of surface soil.
Surface Water:
Estimated daily exposure from
ingestion of surface water
Where,
Dose = mg/kg/day
Conc. = Concentration (mg/L)
EF = Exposure frequency (days)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 day for hotspots and
8 days for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 day for hotspots and 8 days
for other areas
IR = surface water consumption rate (L/day)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 2 L/day
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 2 L/day
ED = exposure duration (years)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots
and 12 years for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots and 30 years
for other areas
AF = absorption fraction (arsenic: 80% in Smelter Stack and 60% in all other
place; other contaminants: 100%)
BW = body weight (kg)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 45 kg
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 75 kg
AT = average time
For carcinogenic: 70 years (lifetime) for all the recreational users
For non-carcinogenic:
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots
and 12 years for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots and 30 years
for other areas
Fish:
Estimated daily exposure from
consumption of fish
Where,
Dose = mg/kg/day
Conc. = Concentration (mg/kg)
EF = Exposure frequency (days)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 day for hotspots and
8 days for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 day for hotspots and 8 days
for other areas
Reclamation workers: 14 day for hotspots and 90 days for other areas
IR = fish intake rate (g/day)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 25 g/day (58.7g/day
for Tribe)
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 25 g/day (58.7g/day for Tribe)
Reclamation Workers: 25 g/day
ED = exposure duration (years)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots
and 12 years for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots and 30 years
for other areas
Reclamation workers: 1 year for all hotspots and other areas
AF = absorption fraction (arsenic: 80% in Smelter Stack and 60% in all other
place; other contaminants: 100%)
BW = body weight (kg)
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 45 kg
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 75 kg
Reclamation workers: 75 kg
AT = average time
For carcinogenic: 70 years (lifetime) for all the recreational users and reclamation
workers
For non-carcinogenic:
Children (7-18 years of age) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots
and 12 years for other areas
Adult (19 or older) recreational users: 1 year for hotspots and 30 years
for other areas
Reclamation workers: 1 year for all hotspots and other areas
APPENDIX F: CANCER RISK CALCULATION EQUATION
Risk = Dose(carcinogenic) × SF
Where,
Risk = estimated excess cancer risk over a lifetime (unitless)
Dose (carcinogenic) = mg/kg/day (lifetime average exposure dose)
SF = cancer slope factor (mg/kg/day)-1, chemical specific
APPENDIX G: ATSDR GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TERMS
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal public
health agency with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and 10 regional offices
in the United States. ATSDR's
mission is to serve the public by using the best science, taking responsive
public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful
exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. ATSDR is not a regulatory
agency, unlike the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is the
federal agency that develops and enforces environmental laws to protect the
environment and human health.
This glossary defines words used by ATSDR in communications with the public.
It is not a complete dictionary of environmental health terms. If you have questions
or comments, call ATSDR's
toll-free telephone number, 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737).
Absorption:
The process of taking in. For a person or animal, absorption is the process
of a substance getting into the body through the eyes, skin, stomach, intestines,
or lungs.
Acute:
Occurring over a short time [compare with chronic].
Acute exposure:
Contactwith a substance that occurs once or for only a short time (up to 14
days) [compare with intermediate duration exposure and
chronic exposure].
Additive effect:
A biologic response to exposure to multiple substances that equals the sum
of responses of all the individual substances added together [compare with
antagonistic effect and synergistic effect].
Adverse health effect:
A change in body function or cell structure that might lead to disease or health
problems.
Aerobic:
Requiring oxygen [compare with anaerobic].
Ambient:
Surrounding (for example, ambient air).
Anaerobic:
Requiring the absence of oxygen [compare with aerobic].
Analyte:
A substance measured in the laboratory. A chemical for which a sample (such
as water, air, or blood) is tested in a laboratory. For example, if the analyte
is mercury, the laboratory test will determine the amount of mercury in the sample.
Analytic epidemiologic study:
A study that evaluates the association between exposure to hazardous substances
and disease by testing scientific hypotheses.
Antagonistic effect:
A biologic response to exposure to multiple substances that is less
than would be expected if the known effects of the individual substances were added together [compare
with additive effect and synergistic effect].
Background level:
An average or expected amount of a substance or radioactive material in a specific
environment, or typical amounts of substances that occur naturally in an environment.
Biodegradation:
Decomposition or breakdown of a substance through the action of microorganisms
(such as bacteria or fungi) or other natural physical processes (such as sunlight).
Biologic indicators of exposure study:
A study that uses (a) biomedical testing or (b) the measurement
of a substance [an analyte], its metabolite,
or another marker of exposure in human body fluids or tissues to confirm human
exposure to a hazardous substance [also see exposure investigation].
Biologic monitoring :
Measuring hazardous substances in biologic materials (such as blood, hair,
urine, or breath) to determine whether exposure has occurred. A blood test for
lead is an example of biologic monitoring.
Biologic uptake:
The transfer of substances from the environment to plants, animals, and humans.
Biomedical testing:
Testing of persons to find out whether a change in a body function might have
occurred because of exposure to a hazardous substance.
Biota:
Plants and animals in an environment. Some of these plants and animals might
be sources of food, clothing, or medicines for people.
Body burden :
The total amount of a substance in the body. Some substances build up in the
body because they are stored in fat or bone or because they leave the body very
slowly.
CAP:
See Community Assistance Panel.
Cancer:
Any one of a group of diseases that occurs when cells in the body become abnormal
and grow or multiply out of control.
Cancer risk:
A theoretical risk for getting cancer if exposed to a substance every day for
70 years (a lifetime exposure). The true risk might be lower.
Carcinogen:
A substance that causes cancer.
Case study:
A medical or epidemiologic evaluation of one person or a small group of people
to gather information about specific health conditions and past exposures.
Case-control study:
A study that compares exposures of people who have a disease or condition (cases)
with people who do not have the disease or condition (controls). Exposures that
are more common among the cases may be considered as possible risk factors for
the disease.
CAS registry number:
A unique number assigned to a substance or mixture by the American Chemical
Society Abstracts Service.
Central nervous system:
The part of the nervous system that consists of the brain and the spinal cord.
CERCLA:
[see Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980]
Chronic:
Occurring over a long time (more than 1 year) [compare with acute].
Chronic exposure:
Contact with a substance that occurs over a long time (more than 1 year) [compare
with acute exposure and intermediate duration exposure].
Cluster investigation:
A review of an unusual number, real or perceived, of health events (for example,
reports of cancer) grouped together in time and location. Cluster investigations
are designed to confirm case reports; determine whether they represent an unusual
disease occurrence; and, if possible, explore possible causes and contributing
environmental factors.
Community Assistance Panel (CAP):
A group of people, from a community and from health and environmental agencies,
who work with ATSDR to resolve issues and problems related to hazardous substances
in the community. CAP members work with ATSDR to gather and review community
health concerns, provide information on how people might have been or might
now be exposed to hazardous substances, and inform ATSDR on ways to involve
the community in its activities.
Comparison value (CV):
Calculated concentration of a substance in air, water, food, or soil that is
unlikely to cause harmful (adverse) health effects in exposed people. The CV
is used as a screening level during the public health assessment process. Substances
found in amounts greater than their CVs might be selected for further evaluation
in the public health assessment process.
Completed exposure pathway:
[see exposure pathway].
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
of 1980 (CERCLA):
CERCLA, also known as Superfund, is the federal law that concerns
the removal or cleanup of hazardous substances in the environment and at hazardous
waste sites. ATSDR, which was created by CERCLA, is responsible for assessing
health issues and supporting public health activities related to hazardous waste
sites or other environmental releases of hazardous substances.
Concentration:
The amount of a substance present in a certain amount of soil, water, air,
food, blood, hair, urine, breath, or any other media.
Contaminant:
A substance that is either present in an environment where it does not belong
or is present at levels that might cause harmful (adverse) health effects.
Delayed health effect:
A disease or injury that happens as a result of exposures that might have occurred
in the past.
Dermal:
Referring to the skin. For example, dermal absorption means passing through
the skin.
Dermal contact:
Contact with (touching) the skin [see route of exposure].
Descriptive epidemiology:
The study of the amount and distribution of a disease in a specified population
by person, place, and time.
Detection limit:
The lowest concentration of a chemical that can reliably be distinguished from
a zero concentration.
Disease prevention:
Measures used to prevent a disease or reduce its severity.
Disease registry:
A system of ongoing registration of all cases of a particular disease or health
condition in a defined population.
DOD:
United States Department of Defense.
DOE:
United States Department of Energy.
Dose (for chemicals that are not radioactive) :
The amount of a substance to which a person is exposed over some time period.
Dose is a measurement of exposure. Dose is often expressed as milligram (amount)
per kilogram (a measure of body weight) per day (a measure of time) when people
eat or drink contaminated water, food, or soil. In general, the greater the
dose, the greater the likelihood of an effect. An "exposure
dose" is how much of
a substance is encountered in the environment. An "absorbed
dose" is the amount of
a substance that actually got into the body through the eyes, skin, stomach,
intestines, or lungs.
Dose (for radioactive chemicals):
The radiation dose is the amount of energy from radiation that is actually
absorbed by the body. This is not the same as measurements of the amount of
radiation in the environment.
Dose-response relationship :
The relationship between the amount of exposure [dose] to
a substance and the resulting changes in body function or health (response).
Environmental media :
Soil, water, air, biota (plants and animals), or any other
parts of the environment that can contain contaminants.
Environmental media and transport mechanism:
Environmental media include water, air, soil, and biota (plants
and animals). Transport mechanisms move contaminants from the source to points
where human exposure can occur. The environmental media and transport
mechanism is the second part of an exposure pathway.
EPA:
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Epidemiologic surveillance:
The ongoing, systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health
data. This activity also involves timely dissemination of the data and use for
public health programs.
Epidemiology:
The study of the distribution and determinants of disease or health status
in a population; the study of the occurrence and causes of health effects in
humans.
Exposure:
Contact with a substance by swallowing, breathing, or touching the skin or
eyes. Exposure may be short-term [acute exposure], of intermediate
duration, or long-term [chronic exposure].
Exposure assessment :
The process of finding out how people come into contact with a hazardous substance,
how often and for how long they are in contact with the substance, and how much
of the substance they are in contact with.
Exposure-dose reconstruction:
A method of estimating the amount of people's
past exposure to hazardous substances. Computer and approximation methods are
used when past information is limited, not available, or missing.
Exposure investigation:
The collection and analysis of site-specific information and biologic tests
(when appropriate) to determine whether people have been exposed to hazardous
substances.
Exposure pathway:
The route a substance takes from its source (where it began) to its end point
(where it ends), and how people can come into contact with (or get exposed to)
it. An exposure pathway has five parts: a source of contamination
(such as an abandoned business);an environmental media and transport
mechanism (such as movement through groundwater); a point of
exposure (such as a private well); a route of exposure
(eating, drinking, breathing, or touching); and a receptor population
(people potentially or actually exposed). When all five parts are present, the
exposure pathway is termed a completed exposure pathway.
Exposure registry:
A system of ongoing followup of people who have had documented environmental
exposures.
Feasibility study:
A study by EPA to determine the best way to clean up environmental contamination.
A number of factors are considered, including health risk, costs, and what methods
will work well.
Geographic information system (GIS) :
A mapping system that uses computers to collect, store, manipulate, analyze,
and display data. For example, GIS can show the concentration of a contaminant
within a community in relation to points of reference such as streets and homes.
Grand rounds:
Training sessions for physicians and other health care providers about health
topics.
Groundwater:
Water beneath the earth's
surface in the spaces between soil particles and between rock surfaces [compare
with surface water].
Half-life (t1/2):
The time it takes for half the original amount of a substance to disappear.
In the environment, the half-life is the time it takes for half the original
amount of a substance to disappear when it is changed to another chemical by
bacteria, fungi, sunlight, or other chemical processes. In the human body, the
half-life is the time it takes for half the original amount of the substance
to disappear, either by being changed to another substance or by leaving the
body. In the case of radioactive material, the half life is the amount of time
necessary for one half the initial number of radioactive atoms to change or
transform into another atom (that is normally not radioactive). After two half
lives, 25% of the original number of radioactive atoms remain.
Hazard :
A source of potential harm from past, current, or future exposures.
Hazardous Substance Release and Health Effects Database (HazDat):
The scientific and administrative database system developed by ATSDR to manage
data collection, retrieval, and analysis of site-specific information on hazardous
substances, community health concerns, and public health activities.
Hazardous waste:
Potentially harmful substances that have been released or discarded into the
environment.
Health consultation:
A review of available information or collection of new data to respond to a
specific health question or request for information about a potential environmental
hazard. Health consultations are focused on a specific exposure issue. Health
consultations are therefore more limited than a public health assessment, which
reviews the exposure potential of each pathway and chemical [compare with public
health assessment].
Health education:
Programs designed with a community to help it know about health risks and how
to reduce these risks.
Health investigation:
The collection and evaluation of information about the health of community
residents. This information is used to describe or count the occurrence of a
disease, symptom, or clinical measure and to estimate the possible association
between the occurrence and exposure to hazardous substances.
Health promotion:
The process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their
health.
Health statistics review :
The analysis of existing health information (i.e., from death certificates,
birth defects registries, and cancer registries) to determine if there is excess
disease in a specific population, geographic area, and time period. A health
statistics review is a descriptive epidemiologic study.
Indeterminate public health hazard:
The category used in ATSDR's
public health assessment documents when a professional judgment about the level
of health hazard cannot be made because information critical to such a decision
is lacking.
Incidence :
The number of new cases of disease in a defined population over a specific
time period [contrast with prevalence].
Ingestion:
The act of swallowing something through eating, drinking, or mouthing objects.
A hazardous substance can enter the body this way [see route of exposure].
Inhalation:
The act of breathing. A hazardous substance can enter the body this way [see
route of exposure].
Intermediate duration exposure:
Contact with a substance that occurs for more than 14 days and less than a
year [compare with acute exposure and chronic exposure].
In vitro :
In an artificial environment outside a living organism or body. For example,
some toxicity testing is done on cell cultures or slices of tissue grown in
the laboratory, rather than on a living animal [compare with in vivo].
In vivo :
Within a living organism or body. For example, some toxicity testing is done
on whole animals, such as rats or mice [compare with in vitro].
Lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL):
The lowest tested dose of a substance that has been reported to cause harmful
(adverse) health effects in people or animals.
Medical monitoring:
A set of medical tests and physical exams specifically designed to evaluate
whether an individual's
exposure could negatively affect that person's
health.
Metabolism :
The conversion or breakdown of a substance from one form to another by a living
organism.
Metabolite:
Any product of metabolism.
mg/kg:
Milligram per kilogram.
mg/cm2:
Milligram per square centimeter (of a surface).
mg/m3:
Milligram per cubic meter; a measure of the concentration of a chemical in
a known volume (a cubic meter) of air, soil, or water.
Migration:
Moving from one location to another.
Minimal risk level (MRL):
An ATSDR estimate of daily human exposure to a hazardous substance at or below
which that substance is unlikely to pose a measurable risk of harmful (adverse),
noncancerous effects. MRLs are calculated for a route of exposure (inhalation
or oral) over a specified time period (acute, intermediate, or chronic). MRLs
should not be used as predictors of harmful (adverse) health effects [see reference
dose].
Morbidity :
State of being ill or diseased. Morbidity is the occurrence of a disease or
condition that alters health and quality of life.
Mortality:
Death. Usually the cause (a specific disease, condition, or injury) is stated.
Mutagen :
A substance that causes mutations (genetic damage).
Mutation :
A change (damage) to the DNA, genes, or chromosomes of living organisms.
National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Sites (National Priorities List or NPL):
EPA's list of the most
serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites in the United States.
The NPL is updated on a regular basis.
No apparent public health hazard:
A category used in ATSDR's
public health assessments for sites where human exposure to contaminated media
might be occurring, might have occurred in the past, or might occur in the future,
but where the exposure is not expected to cause any harmful health effects.
No-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL):
The highest tested dose of a substance that has been reported to have no harmful
(adverse) health effects on people or animals.
No public health hazard:
A category used in ATSDR's
public health assessment documents for sites where people have never and will
never come into contact with harmful amounts of site-related substances.
NPL:
[see National Priorities List for Uncontrolled
Hazardous Waste Sites]
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic model (PBPK model):
A computer model that describes what happens to a chemical in the body. This
model describes how the chemical gets into the body, where it goes in the body,
how it is changed by the body, and how it leaves the body.
Pica:
A craving to eat nonfood items, such as dirt, paint chips, and clay. Some children
exhibit pica-related behavior.
Plume :
A volume of a substance that moves from its source to places farther away from
the source. Plumes can be described by the volume of air or water they occupy
and the direction they move. For example, a plume can be a column of smoke from
a chimney or a substance moving with groundwater.
Point of exposure:
The place where someone can come into contact with a substance present in the
environment [see exposure pathway].
Population:
A group or number of people living within a specified area or sharing similar
characteristics (such as occupation or age).
Potentially responsible party (PRP):
A company, government, or person legally responsible for cleaning up the pollution
at a hazardous waste site under Superfund. There may be more than one PRP for
a particular site.
ppb:
Parts per billion.
ppm:
Parts per million.
Prevalence :
The number of existing disease cases in a defined population during a specific
time period [contrast with incidence].
Prevalence survey:
The measure of the current level of disease(s) or symptoms and exposures through
a questionnaire that collects self-reported information from a defined population.
Prevention:
Actions that reduce exposure or other risks, keep people from getting sick,
or keep disease from getting worse.
Public comment period:
An opportunity for the public to comment on agency findings or proposed activities
contained in draft reports or documents. The public comment period is a limited
time period during which comments will be accepted.
Public availability session:
An informal, drop-by meeting at which community members can meet one-on-one
with ATSDR staff members to discuss health and site-related concerns.
Public health action:
A list of steps to protect public health.
Public health advisory:
A statement made by ATSDR to EPA or a state regulatory agency that a release
of hazardous substances poses an immediate threat to human health. The advisory
includes recommended measures to reduce exposure and reduce the threat to human
health.
Public health assessment (PHA):
An ATSDR document that examines hazardous substances, health outcomes, and
community concerns at a hazardous waste site to determine whether people could
be harmed from coming into contact with those substances. The PHA also lists
actions that need to be taken to protect public health [compare with health
consultation].
Public health hazard:
A category used in ATSDR's
public health assessments for sites that pose a public health hazard because
of long-term exposures (greater than 1 year) to sufficiently high levels of
hazardous substances or radionuclides that could result in
harmful health effects.
Public health hazard categories:
Public health hazard categories are statements about whether people could be
harmed by conditions present at the site in the past, present, or future. One
or more hazard categories might be appropriate for each site. The five public
health hazard categories are no public health hazard, no
apparent public health hazard, indeterminate public health
hazard, public health hazard, and urgent public
health hazard.
Public health statement:
The first chapter of an ATSDR toxicological profile. The public
health statement is a summary written in words that are easy to understand.
The public health statement explains how people might be exposed to a specific
substance and describes the known health effects of that substance.
Public meeting:
A public forum with community members for communication about a site.
Radioisotope:
An unstable or radioactive isotope (form) of an element that can change into
another element by giving off radiation.
Radionuclide:
Any radioactive isotope (form) of any element.
RCRA:
[see Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976,
1984)]
Receptor population:
People who could come into contact with hazardous substances [see exposure
pathway].
Reference dose (RfD):
An EPA estimate, with uncertainty or safety factors built in, of the daily
lifetime dose of a substance that is unlikely to cause harm in humans.
Registry :
A systematic collection of information on persons exposed to a specific substance
or having specific diseases [see exposure registry and disease
registry].
Remedial investigation:
The CERCLA process of determining the type and extent of hazardous material
contamination at a site.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976, 1984) (RCRA):
This Act regulates management and disposal of hazardous wastes currently generated,
treated, stored, disposed of, or distributed.
RFA:
RCRA Facility Assessment. An assessment required by RCRA to identify potential
and actual releases of hazardous chemicals.
RfD:
See reference dose.
Risk:
The probability that something will cause injury or harm.
Risk reduction:
Actions that can decrease the likelihood that individuals, groups, or communities
will experience disease or other health conditions.
Risk communication:
The exchange of information to increase understanding of health risks.
Route of exposure:
The way people come into contact with a hazardous substance. Three routes of
exposure are breathing [inhalation], eating or drinking [ingestion],
or contact with the skin [dermal contact].
Safety factor:
[see uncertainty factor]
SARA:
[see Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act]
Sample:
A portion or piece of a whole. A selected subset of a population or subset
of whatever is being studied. For example, in a study of people the sample is
a number of people chosen from a larger population [see population].
An environmental sample (for example, a small amount of soil or water) might
be collected to measure contamination in the environment at a specific location.
Sample size :
The number of units chosen from a population or environment.
Solvent:
A liquid capable of dissolving or dispersing another substance (for example,
acetone or mineral spirits).
Source of contamination:
The place where a hazardous substance comes from, such as a landfill, waste
pond, incinerator, storage tank, or drum. A source of contamination is the first
part of an exposure pathway.
Special populations:
People who might be more sensitive or susceptible to exposure to hazardous
substances because of factors such as age, occupation, sex, or behaviors (for
example, cigarette smoking). Children, pregnant women, and older people are
often considered special populations.
Stakeholder:
A person, group, or community who has an interest in activities at a hazardous
waste site.
Statistics :
A branch of mathematics that deals with collecting, reviewing, summarizing,
and interpreting data or information. Statistics are used to determine whether
differences between study groups are meaningful.
Substance :
A chemical.
Substance-specific applied research:
A program of research designed to fill important data needs for specific hazardous
substances identified in ATSDR's toxicological profiles. Filling
these data needs would allow more accurate assessment of human risks from specific
substances contaminating the environment. This research might include human
studies or laboratory experiments to determine health effects resulting from
exposure to a given hazardous substance.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA):
In 1986, SARA amended CERCLA and expanded the health-related responsibilities
of ATSDR. CERCLA and SARA direct ATSDR to look into the health effects from
substance exposures at hazardous waste sites and to perform activities including
health education, health studies, surveillance, health consultations, and toxicological
profiles.
Surface water:
Water on the surface of the earth, such as in lakes, rivers, streams, ponds,
and springs [compare with groundwater].
Surveillance:
[see epidemiologic surveillance]
Survey:
A systematic collection of information or data. A survey can be conducted to
collect information from a group of people or from the environment. Surveys
of a group of people can be conducted by telephone, by mail, or in person. Some
surveys are done by interviewing a group of people [see prevalence survey].
Synergistic effect:
A biologic response to multiple substances where one substance worsens the
effect of another substance. The combined effect of the substances acting together
is greater than the sum of the effects of the substances acting by themselves
[see additive effect and antagonistic effect].
Teratogen :
A substance that causes defects in development between conception and birth.
A teratogen is a substance that causes a structural or functional birth defect.
Toxic agent:
Chemical or physical (for example, radiation, heat, cold, microwaves) agents
that, under certain circumstances of exposure, can cause harmful effects to
living organisms.
Toxicological profile:
An ATSDR document that examines, summarizes, and interprets information about
a hazardous substance to determine harmful levels of exposure and associated
health effects. A toxicological profile also identifies significant gaps in
knowledge on the substance and describes areas where further research is needed.
Toxicology:
The study of the harmful effects of substances on humans or animals.
Tumor:
An abnormal mass of tissue that results from excessive cell division that is
uncontrolled and progressive. Tumors perform no useful body function. Tumors
can be either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer).
Uncertainty factor:
Mathematical adjustments for reasons of safety when knowledge is incomplete.
For example, factors used in the calculation of doses that are not harmful (adverse)
to people. These factors are applied to the lowest-observed-adverse-effect-level
(LOAEL) or the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) to derive a minimal
risk level (MRL). Uncertainty factors are used to account for variations in
people's sensitivity,
for differences between animals and humans, and for differences between a LOAEL
and a NOAEL. Scientists use uncertainty factors when they have some, but not
all, the information from animal or human studies to decide whether an exposure
will cause harm to people [also sometimes called a safety factor].
Urgent public health hazard:
A category used in ATSDR's
public health assessments for sites where short-term exposures (less than 1
year) to hazardous substances or conditions could result in harmful health effects
that require rapid intervention.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) :
Organic compounds that evaporate readily into the air. VOCs include substances
such as benzene, toluene, methylene chloride, and methyl chloroform.
APPENDIX H: STIBNITE MINE PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT RELEASE
REVIEW COMMENTS ADDRESSED
AUGUST 2003
The following comments were provided by members of the general public. Responses
to reviewer comments immediately follow the comment. All editorial comments
were incorporated, as necessary, and are not included in the following narrative.
I find it difficult to justify access restrictions based upon your
data. It seems that, according to Conclusion 3, page 24, "It is unlikely that
the contaminants at the Stibnite site will result in any adverse public health
effects for the reclamation users and recreational users, since the estimated
exposure doses are below the corresponding health guideline values, or below
the corresponding lowest NOAELS (or LOAELs) in all related studies." I believe
that says it all! I take umbrage that you then proceed to recommend denial of
access to the site.
BEHS considered current peer reviewed toxicological and epidemiological information
on the chemicals present in environmental samples. BEHS determined that at this
time, under current site land uses and exposure scenarios, the site poses no
apparent public health hazard. If members of the public avoid the site, they
will not be exposed to site contamination. Eliminating exposure pathways to
hazardous chemicals is a priority for BEHS. However, upon further consideration,
it was determined that signs warning visitors of the presence and potential
health threat of site contaminants would be sufficiently prudent. Consequently,
BEHS revised its recommendations to reflect this change.
I record snow fall during the winter in Yellow Pine. During that
time frame I recorded 10 � feet of snow. That is not counting the rain. The
mine is higher up. So your figures are not correct.
The average annual precipitation values used in this public health assessment
were cited from the following report: URS 2000, Stibnite Area Risk Evaluation
Report, URS Corporation, Stibnite Area Site Characterization Voluntary Consent
Order Respondents, Denver, CO. BEHS checked this figure with information
from the Western Regional Climate Center. The precipitation values from these
two separate, peer-reviewed sources were in agreement. It is important to note
that ten feet of snow does not equal ten feet of precipitation (water). Variables
such as compaction and water content must be taken into account when estimating
the amount of water in a given snowpack.
Yellow Pine has more than 40 people in Yellow Pine during the year.
In the summer, people are around 200 who only come in then and own property.
Plus we have water runners and campers. Harmonic is around 3,000 to 4,000 people.
Plus all the holidays we have more people come in. Then during the winter, we
have hunters and snowmobilers. So you see, at any time we have more than 40.
These people also go up to the mine area.
BEHS used 2000 U. S. Census Bureau data when attempting to determine the number
of permanent Yellow Pine residents. BEHS concedes that many more people may
visit Yellow Pine and the site itself. At this time, the number of people recreating
on or near the site has not been quantified.
I am concerned that no tests have been done with plants and animals.
We have lots of hunters who come into hunt and also Yellow Pine residents who
go up to that area to hunt. I am concerned about the safety of eating deer and
elk meat and other eating the meat that has eaten plants up there and been exposed
to the area.
The commenter points out a potentially important data gap. BEHS made the following
recommendation in the public health assessment: "Biota (other than fish) samples
should be collected and analyzed for potential uptake of metals from site soils
and surface water." If such a sampling event occurs, BEHS will analyze the results
and assess any public health threat posed by consuming biota exposed to site
contamination.
In the Summary, it states that "This document fulfills ATSDR Congressional
mandate for preparing a public health assessment within one year of EPA proposing
a site to the NPL." Stibnite was proposed to the NPL on September 13, 2001.
The PHA is dated May 2003, which is approximately nineteen and one-half months
after the site was proposed to the NPL. The PHA does not appear to have met
the twelve month time frame in which it should have been completed. Please advise.
Work on the public health assessment began within twelve months of the proposed
listing and ATSDR and BEHS produced an Initial Release of the assessment on
September 13, 2002. This satisfies the Congressional mandate.
Please advise exactly where the hot spats are located and what remediation
will be performed, when it will be accomplished and the source of funds for
accomplishing the same.
This question is regulatory in nature and is best answered by the environmental
and ecological regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the site. Commenter
was referred to the appropriate personnel at IDEQ, USFS, and EPA.
Please correct me, but I was under the impression that Stibnite's
proposal to the NPL had been put on hold in the latter part of 2002. If it is
not on hold, please advise of the current status and ongoing developments.
During a telephone conversation, the commenter clarified that she is interested
in what is happening and what will happen at the site with regard to on-going
environmental remediation. Since this concern is regulatory in nature and is
best answered by the environmental and ecological regulatory agencies with jurisdiction
over the site, the commenter was referred to the appropriate personnel at IDEQ,
USFS, and EPA.
First, please identify the site owners; second, describe in detail
exactly what the reclamation activities will consist of and how the tailings
piles and other contamination (please identify the location) will be secured;
third, who will perform the reclamation activities; and fourth, identify the
source(s) for the funds to accomplish the reclamation.
This question is regulatory in nature and is best answered by the environmental
and ecological regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the site. Commenter
was referred to the appropriate personnel at IDEQ, USFS, and EPA.
"IDEQ will arrange to have damaged buildings on site removed if
they interfere with site reclamation or pose a significant threat to site safety."
Please identify as to location, the damaged buildings referenced to be on site.
This question is regulatory in nature and is best answered by the environmental
and ecological regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the site. Commenter
was referred to the appropriate personnel at IDEQ, USFS, and EPA.
I would like to review the photographs and field notes documenting
the July 10, (2)002 site visit. Please provide me with copies of the same.
Copies were mailed to commenter on August 1, 2003.
Please advise of the relevance of sampling events conducted at
the site in 1997 and 1999. Additionally, please advise of the dates, if any,
of more current sampling (e)vents and the results thereof.
This question is regulatory in nature and is best answered by the environmental
and ecological regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the site. Commenter
was referred to the appropriate personnel at IDEQ, USFS, and EPA.
Please identify the multiple wooden structures existing on site
that are not secured against entry and which are in serious disrepair and whose
loose boards and nails could pose a physical hazard to trespassers.
This question is regulatory in nature and is best answered by the environmental
and ecological regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the site. Commenter
was referred to the appropriate personnel at IDEQ, USFS, and EPA.
Section 9. References - Commenter requested copies of various reports
cited in the Section 9
Commenter was referred to the agencies and consultants who produced the requested
reports. The reports the commenter requested are voluminous. Reproducing and
distributing these reports is prohibitively expensive for BEHS. Commenter was
directed to request the reports directly from the agencies and contractors who
produced them.