ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Report: Savannah River Site Contaminants in
Off-Site Water Pose No Health Threat

Public may comment on the report through April 16

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2007

ATLANTA - The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has found no contamination in off-site groundwater from the Savannah River Site (SRS).  While site-related contaminants were detected in off-site surface water, they pose no health concern.  In the course of its investigation, ATSDR also found naturally occurring radium in the municipal drinking water at levels that could pose health concerns, especially for infants drinking formula and juice mixed with tap water.   

The report on the 310 square mile U.S. Department of Energy-owned facility bordering the Savannah River is available for comment through April 16.

In the assessment, ATSDR looked at possible exposure since 1993 to chemical and radioactive materials transported off SRS in groundwater or surface water, or released into off-site surface water, as well as the possibility of future exposure to these materials.

Key findings included:

• ATSDR’s evaluation found no groundwater contamination from the site beyond the SRS boundary or in off-site private wells.  The agency did find on-site contamination close to the northwest boundary which could potentially affect off-site groundwater in the future. 

• ATSDR concludes that the surface water releases of tritium and other radioactive contaminants did not pose a health concern after 1993; nor do they pose a current or future health concern as long as SRS operations continue as they are.  Since 1993, potential for human exposure to radioactive contaminants, primarily tritium, in off-site bodies of water has been greatest at or near the mouth of Four Mile Creek.  Tritium levels in this area are less than ATSDR’s maximum-recommended health-based levels for drinking water. 

• Investigators found two naturally occurring substances, lead and radium, in municipal drinking water wells at concentrations above the agency’s recommended level for human health.  While the lead levels found are not harmful to adults or children, radium, was consistently detected at levels above the Safe Drinking Water Standards of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Regular consumption of municipal well water could pose health concerns, especially for infants drinking formula and juice mixed with tap water. 

Concerned residents can take precautions to prevent or minimize exposure to radium:

• Remove radium from water by using water softeners;
• Have your water supply tested if you are concerned about your tap water;
• Give very young children prepared formula and bottled juices not mixed with tap water.

During the public comment period residents can review and provide comments on agency findings. Comments on the public health assessment must be made in writing.

The assessment can be viewed on the Internet at: http: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/index.asp or at:

U.S. Department of Energy                                       
Savannah River Operations Office                            
Office of External Affairs                                            
Public Reading Room                                                
Aiken, SC, 29802  

U.S. Department of Energy
Public Reading Room
471 University Parkway
Aiken, SC, 29801
Contact:  Paul Lewis

Mail comments to:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
ATTN: Records Center
1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Mailstop E-60
Atlanta, Ga.  30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record. These comments, along with ATSDR responses, will appear in an appendix to the final version of the report. Names of individuals and groups who submit comments will not appear in the report. Names will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Community members wanting more information may contact Health Assessor Carol Connell at 404-498-0361 or ccc8@cdc.gov.  CDC and ATSDR maintain a general toll-free number (1-800-CDC-INFO); callers to this number must reference the Savannah River Site

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Members of the news media can request an interview by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.