ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Evaluates Past, Current, Future Exposures to Environmental Contaminants
at Naval Weapons Station Earle

Agency Releases Report for Public Review, Comment

For Immediate Release: June 29, 2006

ATLANTA - Surface water and sediment at Naval Weapons Station Earle (NWSE) do not pose harmful health effects, says a report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The report, called a public health assessment, will be available for public review and comment through July 31.

Waste products such as solvents, paints and packing material were buried in unlined pits or landfills at NWSE. ATSDR reviewed available data about potential exposures to contaminants from NWSE. Based on these evaluations, the agency concludes that exposure to surface water or sediments from the early 1990s to the present do not pose health hazards. Sufficient information is not available to make a public health determination for exposures that may have occurred prior to the early 1990s. ATSDR also concludes that surface water or sediments migrating off of NWSE pose no current or future public health hazard.

Since 1982, site investigations have been conducted by the U.S. Navy to evaluate areas of concern at NWSE. As part of the remediation process, on-site landfills have been or are being covered, and the groundwater underneath is routinely monitored. Many of the original areas of contamination have been removed and existing areas of contamination are difficult for the public to access, thereby decreasing the possibility of exposure.

The public is invited to review and comment on agency findings or proposed activities noted in the public health assessment. Residents can review the public health assessment at:

Monmouth County Library
125 Symes Drive
Manalapan, N.J.

Comments must be made in writing and received by July 31. Mail comments to:

Chief, Records Management Activity, ATSDR
ATTN: NWS Earle
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, Ga. 30333

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

Members of the community who have questions about this public health assessment or ATSDR activities at the NWSE site may contact Environmental Health Scientist Laura Frazier or Regional Representative Gary Campbell at 1-888-422-8737.

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.