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For Immediate Release: March 23, 2005
ATLANTA - Exposure to site-related contaminants in fish or soil could increase the risk of harmful health effects from the Ward Transformer site in Raleigh, N.C., finds the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
The health consultation previously was made available to the public for review and comment. The final version includes the comments made by members of the public and ATSDR's responses to the comments.
ATSDR evaluated contaminant levels, how people could come in contact with
the contaminants and community concerns to determine how contaminants could
affect public health. The assessment conclusions include
Edible portions of fish from areas downstream of the site have polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) at levels high enough to increase the possible risk of cancer
and other health effects for people who eat these fish regularly.
Exposure of site workers to PCBs in soil could contribute to an increased
theoretical risk of developing cancer.
Exposure to PCBs in sediment and surface water is not a significant
contributor to overall possible cancer risk. However, sediments may contribute
to PCB contamination in the aquatic food chain. Consumption of contaminated
fish could increase the risk of cancer and other adverse health effects.
The groundwater beneath the site is not being used for drinking water
and therefore is not of public health concern at this time. However, limited
data suggest that the groundwater might be affected by site contaminants.
Not enough information exists to determine whether harmful health effects
could be possible if the groundwater were used for drinking.
The assessment also recommends that
The public should follow fish advisories placed by the State of North
Carolina. Advisories caution against eating any species of fish from Brier
Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Little Brier Creek downstream of Brier Creek
Parkway, and the tributary leading from the Ward Transformer site. The state
also advises against eating any carp or catfish, or more than one meal per
month of other types of fish, from Lake Crabtree.
Action should be taken to minimize exposure of employees at Ward Transformer
to PCBs in soil.
Action should be taken to reduce the contribution of contaminants in
sediment to the food chain.
Groundwater beneath the site, if used for drinking water in the future,
should be tested to determine its impact on public health.
For more information, community members may contact Environmental Health Scientist Jill Dyken or Health Communications Specialist Debra Joseph, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Benjamin Moore also may be contacted at 1-800-241-1754, ext. 21784.
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.
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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.
Updated by
R. Searfoss March 25, 2005
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)
ATSDR
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