HU-MAR CHEMICAL CORPORATION
PALACIOS, MATAGORDA COUNTY, TEXAS
ATSDR's CHILD HEALTH INITIATIVE
The TDH has prepared this consult under a Cooperative Agreement with
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). TDH has included
the following information in accordance with ATSDR's Child Health Initiative.
ATSDR's Child Health Initiative recognizes that the unique vulnerabilities
of infants and children demand special emphasis in communities faced with contamination
of their water, soil, air, or food. Children are at greater risk than adults
from certain kinds of exposures to hazardous substances emitted from waste sites
and emergency events. They are more likely to be exposed because they play outdoors
and they often bring food into contaminated areas. They are shorter than adults,
which means they breathe dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground. Children
are also smaller, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per body weight.
The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if toxic
exposures occur during critical growth stages. Most importantly, children depend
completely on adults for risk identification and management decisions, housing
decisions, and access to medical care.
TDH and ATSDR have evaluated the information provided with respect
to the risks to children. TDH did identify contaminants to which children
may have been exposed; some of these exposures may be ongoing.
CONCLUSIONS
Drinking the water from this private well poses a public health hazard.
Chronic ingestion of water from the residential drinking water well could
result in lead exposures that could result in blood lead levels that exceed
the levels recommended by the CDC.
Chronic ingestion of water from this well could result in manganese exposures
that would exceed the guidance levels established by ATSDR. These guidance
levels are based on the estimated safe and adequate dietary intake levels
established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council.
Additionally, the EPA recommends that the concentration of manganese in drinking
water not exceed 50 µg/L in order to maintain aesthetic qualities of taste
and odor and to avoid staining of clothing and fixtures. The concentration
of manganese in this water is over 60 times greater than this level.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The family should be notified of the test results; the risks associated
with drinking water contaminated with lead should be explained.
Until the situation is remedied, the family should use bottled water for
drinking and cooking.
Family members should have their blood tested for lead.
The source of the lead should be determined.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN
Actions Taken
The TNRCC and the TDH have contacted the family and have informed them of
the test results and the family has agreed to switch to bottled water.
TDH has informed the family that Wagner General Hospital (in Palacios)
is available to draw their blood for the blood lead testing. Blood samples
will be sent to the TDH laboratory for analysis. TDH will notify the family
of the results when they are available.
EPA has arranged to retest the well and the TNRCC has reviewed the site
files for references to lead contamination. TNRCC and the TDH also will review
current site sample results as they are available.
