ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

Potential Exposure to Pearl Harbor Naval Complex-Related Contaminants
Pose No Apparent Public Health Hazard, Says ATSDR Final Report Assessment

For Immediate Release: December 30, 2005

ATLANTA - A final 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 harmful levels of PHNC-related contaminants. 

In the public health assessment, ATSDR scientists identify, evaluate and provide conclusions on five additional public health issues related to potential exposure to environmental contaminants from PHNC:

• Short-term exposure to contaminants in surface soil did not previously and does not now pose a human health hazard.
• Although contaminants were detected in shallow groundwater, people are not exposed to them because the water is not suitable nor is it used for drinking water. And, the contaminants have not reached and are unlikely to reach the deeper aquifer used to supply drinking water.
• Airborne contaminants from the Aiea Laundry pose no health hazard for the staff, students and members of a nearby church or school.
• ATSDR encourages local residents to follow the Hawaii Department of Public Health advisory not to eat fish or crabs from Pearl Harbor because polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations are elevated.
• Contaminant concentration levels to Pearl Harbor sediments are too low to be of concern to anyone who may touch or unintentionally ingest small amounts of them.

The public health assessment can be viewed at:

Aiea Public Library
99-143 Moanalua Road
Aiea, HI

Pearl City Public Library
1138 Waimano Home Road
Pearl City, HI

To request a copy of the public health assessment or for more information, community members may contact ATSDR 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 Pearl Harbor Naval Complex in Hawaii.  

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.  

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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.