ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Findings on the Sampling of Local Water and Soil

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2007

ATLANTA - Metals in soil and water on most local properties that were sampled pose no apparent public health hazard concludes the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in their Exposure Investigation (EI) released today. However, the agency found that certain locations sampled pose an indeterminate public health hazard. ATSDR recommends further evaluation of these locations to identify unknown materials and to determine the specific compounds of copper, nickel, sodium and calcium.

“To protect public health, we felt that an independent investigation of the possible presence of chromium hydroxide sludge in the local water and soil was needed before starting an evaluation of the Rumpke Landfill and adjacent Gideon T property,” states Clayton G. Koher, ATSDR  Regional Representative.

ATSDR accepted a petition in August 2004 to evaluate the human exposures to potential contamination from the Rumpke Landfill and adjacent Gideon T property. Through meetings with the community, ATSDR heard concerns about the burial of approximately 12,000 cubic yards of chromium hydroxide sludge, from the Medora Plastics plant, on the Gideon T property before 1982. Additional concerns were expressed that the same type of chromium waste materials had been dumped in ravines and low areas, as well as having been applied to agricultural fields in Carr Township. These concerns led ATSDR to conduct an EI.

The complete EI report is available for review at the following locations:

The Jackson County Public Library-Seymour
303 West 2nd Street
Seymour, IN 47274
PH: (812) 522-3412
Point of Contact: Becky Brewer

The Medora Library 
27 West Main Street
Medora, IN 47260
PH: (812) 966-2278
Point of Contact: Julia Aker

Members of the community with questions about the exposure investigation and the forthcoming Rumpke Landfill and adjacent Gideon T property health consultation may call toll-free 1-888-422-8737. Also, members of the community may call Debra Joseph, Health Communication Specialist, at 404-498-1758; or Clayton G. Koher, ATSDR Regional Representative; toll free at 1-800-621-8431 ext 36086.

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