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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Final Public Health Consultation for Chillum Perc Site



For Immediate Release: December 30, 2008

ATLANTA—The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has completed its Public Health Consultation of the Chillum Perchloroethylene Site in Prince George County, MD.

ATSDR concludes that concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are at levels not expected to cause cancer or non-cancer health effects for acute, intermediate, or chronic exposures. ATSDR’s evaluation focuses on contamination of soil and groundwater in Chillum, MD which generated concern about migration of VOCs into buildings in a neighboring Washington, DC community. 

Results were reviewed from approximately 258 soil vapor samples, 178 indoor air samples, and 37 outdoor air samples from this site. Overall, VOC concentrations did not vary significantly among sampling data sets from 2003- 2007. 

ATSDR issued a public comment version of the PHC in April. At that time, members of the public expressed concerns about elevated risks for asthma and cancer. The final PHC responds to these concerns, all other comments made by community members, and comments made by the District of Columbia Department of Health (DCDOH)/District of Columbia Department of Environment (DCDOE).

Interested persons may access the health consultation on the Internet at:

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/HCPHA.asp?State=MD
(scroll down to view 2008 Chillum Perc Site documents) 

A copy will also be available for review on or after December 30, 2008 at the following location:

Lamond-Riggs Library
5401 S. Dakota Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20011
202-541-6255

For more information, community members can contact Regional Representative Lora Siegmann Werner at 215-814-3141, Health Assessor Jane Zhu at 770-488-0669 or Health Communication Specialist LaFreta Dalton at 770-488-0711.  Callers should refer to the Chillum site in Chillum, MD.

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 by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.

Back to ATSDR Home page

Updated December 30, 2008
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)

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