ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Public Health Assessment Finds No Health Hazard
From Contaminants at the Bremerton Naval Complex Site

Public may comment on the health assessment through May 27

For Immediate Release: April 29, 2005

ATLANTA - A report released by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says that chemical contaminants from the Bremerton Naval Complex site in Bremerton, Wash., have been found in several Sinclair Inlet seafood species but are not at levels harmful to human health.

Because of biological contaminants, however, ATSDR scientists urge following state and county health advisories against eating shellfish from any portion of Sinclair Inlet. The Washington State Department of Health has determined that current levels of fecal coliform and other biological contamination within Sinclair Inlet are a public health hazard.

The report, called a public health assessment, also says that if local advisories are lifted, seafood species eaten by people whose diet is dependent on seafood should be resampled for chemical contaminants.

The ATSDR public health assessment was released for public review and comment. The comment period runs through May 27, 2005.

The public health assessment can be viewed at

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

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

For more information, community members can contact Environmental Health Scientist Carole D. Hossom toll-free 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. 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.

###

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