ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Issues its Public Health Assessment
of the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Public may comment on the report through Aug. 8, 2005

For Immediate Release: June 15, 2005

ATLANTA - After reviewing data recorded from 1980-2001, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) determined that no harmful exposures to chemical or radioactive contaminants from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) site in Los Alamos, N.M., are occurring now. Nor are current conditions expected to cause illness in the future, the report says.

ATSDR examined possible human exposure to chemical contaminants and radionuclides in groundwater, surface soil, surface water and sediment, air, and plants and animals on and surrounding LANL. The results are in a report called a public health assessment.

Agency scientists reviewed monitoring data from 1980-2001. Pre-1980 data still are being gathered.

In its report, ATSDR notes that past LANL activities have released chemical and radioactive wastes to the soil, air and water surrounding the laboratory. However, agency scientists determined that contaminant levels are not high enough to make people sick.

Regarding specific ways people may be exposed, ATSDR finds

• Community and LANL groundwater supplies do not contain contaminants at levels that will make people sick. Because community and LANL water contains elevated sodium levels, ATSDR recommends people on low-sodium diets consult their health care providers for advice on monitoring sodium intake.
• Exposure to surface soil, including accidentally swallowing soil, is not expected to make people sick.
• Recreational activities of hikers, hunters and bikers in the canyons surrounding LANL may expose them to surface water and sediment contaminants but this exposure is not expected to result in adverse health effects.
• Monitoring for airborne contaminants on site, along the LANL perimeter and at regional air-monitoring stations detected no contaminants at levels of health concern.
• Based on plant and animal sampling data from 1980-2001, scientific literature reviews and health-protective exposure estimates, ATSDR concludes consumption of locally grown and locally harvested foods is not expected to cause illness.

The ATSDR public health assessment is available for public review and comment. The public comment period runs through Aug. 8, 2005.

The public health assessment can be viewed at

Northern New Mexico Citizens' Advisory Board
1660 Old Pecos Trail, Suite B
Santa Fe, N.M.

Santa Fe Public Library
145 Washington St.
Santa Fe, N.M.

Department of Energy Community Relations Office
1619 Central Ave.
Los Alamos, N.M.

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

Records Center, ATSDR
ATTN: Los Alamos National Laboratory Site
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 assessment. 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 assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members can contact Health Physicist Michael Brooks or Community Involvement Specialist Maria Teran-MacIver toll-free at 1-888-422-8737. Senior Regional Representative George Pettigrew also may be contacted at 214-665-8361.

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 with ATSDR staff by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.