ATSDR - Neodesha Refinery Site in Neodesha, Kansas

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR to Hold Public Meeting and Availability Session Concerning
the Neodesha Refinery Site in Neodesha, Kan.

Finding is Indeterminate Public Health Hazard

For Immediate Release: Nov. 3, 2003

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a public meeting Nov. 13 to discuss results of its public health consultation regarding the Neodesha Refinery site in Neodesha, near Independence, Kan.

On the basis of lack of data, the site is categorized as an indeterminate public health hazard. ATSDR recommends that additional investigations be conducted to determine levels of contamination, if any, in soil, groundwater and air. In addition to further sampling, ATSDR recommends that control measures should be implemented to effectively restrict site access to community members in all areas other than those designated for community use.

The public meeting and public availability session will take place on Nov. 13 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the W.A. Rankin Memorial Library, located at 503 Indiana St. in Neodesha. ATSDR representatives will be available to update the community on the agency's work at the site and to meet one-on-one with community members who have health concerns possibly related to contaminants from the Neodesha Refinery site.

ATSDR's conclusions and recommendations are included in the public health consultation, which is available for review and comment through Dec. 19, 2003 at the following repository:

W.A. Rankin Memorial Library
502 Indiana St.
Neodesha, Kan. 66757
620-325-3275

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

Chief, Program Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, NE (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to ATSDR's administrative record for this 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 for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members can contact Health Communications Specialist Youlanda Outin, toll free, at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Denise Jordan-Izaguirre also may be contacted at 913-551-1310. Callers should refer to the Neodesha Refinery site in Neodesha, Kan.

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 Elaine McEachern or Jennifer Sarginson in the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.

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Updated by R. Searfoss November 14, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)