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Q: I am concerned about a contamination site near where I live.
How can I find information about it and who do I contact?
A: Local U.S. Geological Survey offices have scientists
with significant knowledge of local hydrogeologic and water-quality
conditions. They are a good source of useful information. The
USGS has an office in almost every state.
In addition, the following sources of information might be useful
to you.
- EPA Hot Lines
-- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maintains several
hot lines for concerned citizens such as yourself. Most of the
hot lines have toll free 800 numbers. One of the hot lines might
be helpful in finding the information you are seeking.
- State Environmental and Health Agencies -- Contacting your local
state environmental protection or health department to report
a suspected contamination incident is important. The following
web sites have a listing of state government agencies.
These sites should help you find the state agency that has jurisdiction
in your area. (The above listing is for information purposes only
and does not indicate endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey)
- Local USGS Websites
and USGS State Contacts -- The U.S. Geological Survey has
many district offices that collect data and conduct water resources
studies in a particular area. District office web sites are a
good source of local water-resource information.
- USGS Science in Your Watershed
Web Site -- This site is designed to help you find scientific
information organized on a watershed basis. The site also has
a tool to located watersheds, and contains links to other watershed
information.
- U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Surf Your Watershed Web Site --The Surf Your Watershed web site is a service to help you locate, use, and share environmental information on your watershed or community. The Envirofacts Data Warehouse has the capability to create custom maps with information on potential contamination sources in your area.
- ATSDR Public Health Assessments and Health Consultations -- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is required by law to conduct a public health assessment at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List. The aim of these evaluations is to find out if people are being exposed to hazardous substances and, if so, whether that exposure is harmful and should be stopped or reduced. If appropriate, ATSDR also conducts public health assessments when petitioned by concerned individuals.
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