ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Public Health Consultation
for the LCP Chemicals Superfund Site

Report to be discussed at June 23 meeting

For Immediate Release: June 21, 2005

ATLANTA - The soil of one unoccupied property in the Arco neighborhood at the LCP Chemicals Superfund site in Brunswick, Ga., contains lead levels elevated enough to be a health concern, says a public health consultation completed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

ATSDR representatives will be available to discuss the health consultation at two meetings June 23, 2005, hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both meetings are at Seldon Park's Richard Perry Gymnasium, 3401 Ross Road, Brunswick.

From 5:30-7:00 p.m. during an informal public availability session, community members may drop in to speak with ATSDR representatives one-to-one. No presentation will be made.

A public meeting follows at 7:30-9:00 p.m. This meeting includes a brief presentation by EPA and ATSDR staff and the opportunity for community members to comment or ask questions.

In their report, ATSDR scientists say that although the property with elevated lead levels is vacant, lead in the soil there could cause health problems in preschool children should the property be occupied.

Lead in the soil from other yards in the Arco neighborhood were not at levels high enough to cause health problems.

Regardless of where they live, ATSDR recommends blood lead testing for all preschool children. Testing can be arranged through a family physician or by contacting the Glynn County Health Department at 912-264-3961.

Residents in the Arco neighborhood wanting their homes tested for lead-based paint should contact Gary Hummel at the Glynn County Health Department by calling
912-264-3931 or sending an e-mail message to gahummel@gdph.state.ga.us.

The ATSDR public health consultation is released for public review and comment. The public comment period runs through Aug. 5, 2005.

The public health consultation can be viewed at

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

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to ATSDR's administrative record for the health consultation. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR's responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health consultation. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Community members seeking information about the procedures or the content of the public health consultation may contact Health Communication Specialist Youlanda Outin toll-free at 1-888-422-8737. Senior Regional Representative Robert Safay may also be contacted at 1-800-241-1754, ext. 21782.

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.

Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned.

Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

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