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  1. ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PETITIONED HEALTH CONSULTATION

ASHLAND CHEMICAL COMPANY
(a/k/a ASHLAND OIL CHEMICAL INCORPORATED)
CATLETTSBURG, BOYD COUNTY, KENTUCKY


CONCLUSIONS

ATSDR classifies the air pathway from Ashland Petroleum Company as an Indeterminate Public Health Hazard. An evaluation of air sampling information will enable ATSDR to further define any public health recommendations for this site.

  1. The Ashland Oil Company contributes to urban air quality problems in the Tri-State Area.

  2. Exposure point concentration data are needed to fully evaluate the potential health effects. Results from the TGI air monitoring, air modeling, and risk assessment for the area that includes Ashland Oil will allow ATSDR to evaluate the public health ramifications.

  3. Results from an EPA multimedia investigation will provide additional environmental data specific to the Ashland facility.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on the information reviewed for this site, it has been determined that the air exposure pathway remains the primary concern for Ashland Oil.

  1. ATSDR will conduct a thorough evaluation of the air sampling and analytical data generated by the TGI Air Toxics Project for the Kenova, WV cluster.

  2. ATSDR will review the multimedia investigation conducted by the USEPA at the Ashland facility.

  3. ATSDR will prepare a health consultation based on air quality data as soon as possible after the data are available to ATSDR.

A health consultation addresses one exposure pathway rather than multiple pathways as in a health assessment. ATSDR has decided that a health consultation will allow a more expeditious response to citizen health concerns about air contamination near the Ashland facility. Once the health consultation has been prepared, it will be made available for public comment. Additional health consultations may be prepared if warranted by additional data.


REFERENCES

  1. Roy F. Weston. Memorandum to Mike Norman, EPA, Region IV from Keith Burch and Mark Hussung, TAT Region IV, Louisville, KY. Re: Investigation of citizen's complaint concerning Ashland Petroleum Company's Refinery, Catlettsburg, Kentucky. June 17, 1987.

  2. Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, United States Environmental Protection Agency Regions III, IV, and V. Tri-State Geographic Initiative Air Toxics Project Work Plans. July 18, 1997.

  3. EPA. Draft Report: EPA Findings and Conclusions of Air Pollution and Health Studies in the Kentucky, West Virginia and Ohio Tri-State Area. December 7, 1990.

  4. ATSDR. Letter from Mark M. Bashor Ph.D. to petitioner notifying her that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry would conduct a public health assessment of the Ashland Oil Site. September 15, 1987.

  5. ATSDR. Trip report: Ashland Refinery, Ashland, Kentucky, May 12-13, 1988. May 24, 1998.

  6. University of Pittsburgh and Alliance Technologies Corporation. Final Report: Epidemiological Study for the Kenova and Ceredo, West Virginia and Catlettsburg, Kentucky Area (Phase II). March 1992.

  7. ATSDR. Personal communication. April 15, 1998.

  8. ATSDR. Personal communication. February 11, 1998.

  9. ATSDR. Questionnaire: Information Gathering for PRB Sites for Ashland Oil, Inc. Site, Catlettsburg, KY provided by Mark Ritter, Chief Environmental Technologist KYDEP Division for Air Quality. April 23, 1997.

  10. ATSDR. Personal communication. February 10, 1998.

  11. ATSDR. Questionnaire: Information Gathering for PRB Sites for Ashland Oil, Inc. Site, Catlettsburg, KY provided by Jacquelyn Vega, Environmental Engineer, EPA National Enforcement Investigation Center, Denver, CO. April 16, 1997.

  12. Alliance Technologies Corporation. Air Pollution Study of Ashland, Kentucky - Huntington, West Virginia - Ironton, Ohio Tri-State Area. November 1990.

  13. U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1990. Public Law 94-171. Washington D.C.

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