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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
Federal Study Finds No Health Hazards From Past Oak Ridge Releases
For Immediate Release: January 5, 2009
ATLANTA—No public health hazards occurred from past atmospheric releases of ionizing radiation, uranium, fluoride and hydrogen fluoride from the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) is the conclusion of a public health assessment issued by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
The study looked at the atmospheric releases of radioactive and nonradioactive hazardous substances from the K-25/ S-50 facilities between 1944 and 1995 when the facility closed. After evaluating potential chronic and acute exposure to ionizing radiation and uranium releases, ATSDR found those doses were not expected to cause adverse health effects for people living near the ORGDP. The ORGDP is currently known as the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP).
Similarly, ATSDR looked at doses of fluoride and hydrogen fluoride released into the atmosphere either accidentally or in controlled releases during routine maintenance. ATSDR found potential chronic (long-term) exposures to fluoride and hydrogen fluoride were not a public health hazard for people living near the ORGDP. Hydrogen fluoride is a by-product of the uranium enrichment process.
Because sufficient historical data on these releases do not exist, ATSDR scientists developed a worst-case scenario using records from a September 1, 1958 accidental release and mathematical dispersion modeling to evaluate the acute (short-term) exposure to hydrogen fluoride. Because of the high uncertainty of the estimated concentrations of these substances, ATSDR was unable to arrive at any conclusions about the true nature of any acute (short-term) health hazards from potential exposures to hydrogen fluoride.
ATSDR’s investigation indicates no potential current or future hazards to off-site residents have been identified, but the site remediation continues. ATSDR recommends DOE continue to take precautionary measures to prevent any off-site releases of contaminants remaining at the ETTP.
The public health assessment will be available for public comment January 5 through February 20, 2009 at area libraries and can be reviewed during regular business hours at the following sites:
Harriman Public Library, Attn: Reference Librarian, 601 Waldon Avenue,
Harriman, TN 37748-2506Kingston City Library, Attn: Reference Librarian, 1004 Bradford Way,
Kingston, TN 37763-3100
Oak Ridge Public Library, ATTN: Ruth Dypolt, M.S.L.S., Reference Librarian,
Civic Center, Oak Ridge, TN 37830Roane State Community College, Attn: Reference Librarian, 276 Patton Lane,
Harriman, TN 37748-8615Rockwood Public Library, Attn: Reference Librarian, 117 North Front Avenue, Rockwood, TN 37854-2320
For more information about UF6 and the ATSDR Oak Ridge public health assessment visit http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/Oakridge/phact/iodine/index.html or contact Jack Hanley at 770/ 488-0736 or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
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.
Updated January 8, 2009
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)
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