ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Public Health Assessment Finds No Health Hazard
From Contaminants at Naval Air Station Jacksonville

Public may comment on the health assessment through May 12

For Immediate Release: April 19, 2005

ATLANTA - A report released by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says that past practices at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville resulted in the release of contaminants into the environment but not at locations or levels harmful to human health.

The report, however, cautions NAS Jacksonville residents to follow Navy catch-and-release and no-swimming restrictions at all lakes and ponds on the station. ATSDR also recommended residents heed Navy signs restricting access to certain areas.

The report, called a public health assessment, was released for public review and comment. The comment period runs through May 12, 2005.

ATSDR environmental health scientists looked for evidence of contaminants in groundwater, surface soil, surface water and sediment, and fish and shellfish at the station. Discovered contaminants were not expected to cause illness because their levels were too low or they were in areas not accessible to residents.

The ATSDR public health assessment can be viewed at Webb West Connett Public Library, 6887 103rd St., Jacksonville.

Comments on the public health assessment must be made in writing. Mail comments to
Records Center, ATSDR
ATTN: Jacksonville Naval Air Station
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 Environmental Health Scientist Katherine Hanks toll-free at 1-888-422-8737. Senior Regional Representative Bob Safay also may be contacted at 404-562-1782.

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