ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases Report about Lead in Lincoln Park for
Public Review, Comment

Additional Testing Needed to Determine if Health Hazard Exists

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2005

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released its public comment version of the public health consultations about lead exposure in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Canon City, Colo. Because sufficient data is not available, the agency needs to conduct follow-up testing to determine if lead exposures in neighborhood children pose a health hazard and if the levels of lead-contaminated house dust pose health hazards.

Residents are encouraged to review and comment on the two reports that focused on lead in Lincoln Park -- blood lead levels (BLL) in children living in the area and lead-contaminated dust in homes in the area.

Childhood Blood Lead Levels in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood
ATSDR held discussions with area residents and care givers, reviewed information from the State of Colorado Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and data from a local hospital, to determine the rate of testing for BLL in the area and whether at risk children are being adequately tested for BLL.

Available information shows that the rate of elevated BLL for Fremont County is below the state average. However, the available data does not explain whether or not area children are being adequately screened. For this reason, ATSDR will conduct a BLL screening service for area children. This screening service, or Exposure Investigation, will be planned and conducted with the input and assistance of community members, as well as local health officials. The investigation is expected to begin this fall. The data gathered from the investigation will be evaluated to determine if exposures to lead represent a public health hazard.

Lead in Dust in Homes in the Lincoln Park Neighborhood
Available data do not describe the magnitude or extent of a possible hazard that may be associated with in-building lead levels in the Lincoln Park area. However, limited data suggest that lead levels in the dust at some homes in Lincoln Park may be at levels that are a health concern. For this reason, ATSDR plans to analyze samples from homes in Lincoln Park to determine levels of lead-contaminated dust. The data gathered from the Exposure Investigation will be evaluated to determine if exposures to lead in dust represent a public health hazard.

Lincoln Park residents raised concerns over lead exposure in their neighborhood. In response to those concerns, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested that ATSDR assess the health risk associated with the lead contamination. After an initial review of the available data, a site visit to Lincoln Park and conversations with concerned community members, ATSDR developed the two reports.

The consultations are available for public review through Oct. 7. The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings or proposed activities noted in the assessment. Residents can review the document at

Comments must be made in writing to

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record. All comments that are received along with ATSDR responses will appear in an appendix to the final version of the report. The names of individuals and groups who submit comments will not appear in the report. However, the names will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Members of the community that have questions about the report or upcoming Exposure Investigation may contact Environmental Health Scientists Clement Welsh or Teresa Foster, or Health Communication Specialist Rose Jackson at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Chris Poulet also may be contacted at 303-312-7013.

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 with ATSDR staff by calling the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.