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For Immediate Release: August 19, 2005
ATLANTA - A report released by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concludes that, based on existing environmental information, the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex (PHNC) and surrounding community have not been exposed to PHNC-related contaminants at levels considered harmful to human health. However, ATSDR encourages local residents to follow the established Hawaii Department of Public Health advisory not to eat fish or crabs from Pearl Harbor.
For the report, called a public health assessment, ATSDR toured PHNC and met with PHNC and community representatives. ATSDR reviewed available environmental information on investigations, sampling results and cleanup actions performed by PHNC. ATSDR also determined possible contamination sources, pathways of contaminant migration, and the potential for human exposure to contaminants.
ATSDR identified, evaluated and gave conclusions on five public health issues related to potential exposure to environmental contaminants from PHNC. They are:
The public health assessment can be viewed at:
Aiea Public Library
99-143 Moanalua Road
Aiea, HI 96701
Pearl City Public Library
1138 Waimano Home Rd
Pearl City, HI 96782
Comments on the public health consultation must be made in writing and received
by September 19, 2005. Mail comments to
Records Center, ATSDR
ATTN: PHNC Study
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333
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.
To request a copy of the public health assessment or for more information,
community members may contact ATSDR staff Environmental Health Scientist Sue
Neurath or Health Communication Specialist La Freta Dalton, toll-free, at
1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Gwen Eng may also be contacted
at 415-947-4317. Callers should refer to PHNC study in Hawaii.
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. The agency also determines how hazardous a site is and recommends actions that need to be taken to safeguard people's health. Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments and consultations at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, ATSDR is staffed by health professionals
including environmental health scientists, epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists,
engineers and public health educators.
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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.
Updated August
22, 2005
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)
ATSDR
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