ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Report about Air Pollutants in Rubbertown industrial area, KY

For Immediate Release: August 24, 2006 

ATLANTA – A report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) finds that the carcinogen 1,3-butadiene was detected in the Rubbertown industrial area; long term exposure to this chemical, individually as well as in combination with other chemicals, is associated with a low increased risk of developing cancer. The report also finds long term exposure to chemicals in the air in the industrial area, individually and in combination, is unlikely to cause harmful noncancer health effects.

ATSDR reviewed outdoor air data gathered in 2000 and 2001 from several locations in the West Louisville area and screened more than 175 chemicals. In its assessment of those data, the agency identified 29 chemicals for further consideration in this current health consultation.

ATSDR recommends that air pollutants in the Rubbertown industrial area be tracked to ensure chemical levels remain below amounts that can cause harmful noncancer health effects. The agency also recommends that the release of chemical carcinogens into West Louisville air should be reduced or eliminated, wherever possible. There is a program in place—the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District’s Strategic Toxic Air Reduction (STAR) program—that monitors sources of chemical releases and works to reduce unacceptable risks that result from poor air quality. ATSDR supports these efforts to improve air quality in the Rubbertown area.

The consultation is available on the ATSDR web site at www.atsdr.cdc.gov. It is also available at the following locations:

Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District
850 Barrett Ave.
Louisville, KY

West Jefferson County Community Task Force
The Nia Center
2900 West Broadway Suite 218
Louisville, KY

Louisville Free Public Library
301 York St.
Louisville, KY


Members of the community with questions about this consultation may contact Environmental Health Scientist Danielle Langmann or Health Education Specialist Paula Peters at 1-888-422-8737; or Senior Regional Representative Bob Safay 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.

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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.