ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Report about Blue Ridge Plating Site

Report available for comment through May 7

For Immediate Release: March 19, 2007

ATLANTA – Exposure to site-related chemicals are not expected to cause harmful health effects to those living near the Blue Ridge Plating site in Arden, NC, says a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). This is because the general public does not come in contact with chemicals from this site.

The report, called a public health assessment, is available for comment through May 7. The public health assessment includes ATSDR findings as well as recommendations to prevent exposure to chemicals at the site.

The Blue Ridge Plating Site is an active electroplating and metal finishing facility. Activities at the site involve the use of zinc, cadmium, chromium, tin, copper, cyanide and black oxide.

ATSDR used available data to determine if exposures to contaminants in surface soil, dry sediment and surface water could cause a health hazard. The general public does not come in contact with chemicals from this site, and therefore is not at risk for health effects. Specific findings include:

• Exposure to chemicals in surface soil and dry sediment does not pose a health hazard to trespassers who access the site.

• Exposure to chemicals in surface water from creeks, ponds, ditches and wetland areas poses no health hazard to trespassers.

• The chemicals found in surface water collected from Lake Julian occur at levels lower than those associated with a health risk. Therefore, contact with surface water from Lake Julian does not pose a public health hazard.

The assessment is available for public comment and review through May 7. The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings noted in the assessment. The assessment can be viewed at:

Buncombe/Skyland Library                                      
260 Overlook Road                           
Asheville, NC                                           

Comments on the public health assessment must be made in writing. Mail comments to:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
ATTN: ATSDR Records Center; Blue Ridge Plating Site
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop E-32
Atlanta, Ga.  30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record. All comments that are received along with ATSDR responses will appear in an appendix to the final version of the report. The names of individuals and groups who submit comments will not appear in the report. However, the names will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Members of the community who have questions about this health consultation may contact Environmental Health Scientist Annmarie DePasquale at 404-498-0454 or adepasquale@cdc.gov; or Health Communication Specialist Januett Smith-George at 404-498-1744 or JSmithGeorge@cdc.gov.

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.

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Members of the news media can request an interview by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.