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Illinois Beach State Park Asbestos Levels Not Expected to Harm Public HealthZion, Illinois Tuesday, March 10, 2009 ATLANTA - Recreational use of Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park (IBSP) is not expected to harm people's health, says the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Both ATSDR and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources continue to conduct regular beach sweeps and advise the public of the presence of asbestos-containing material. If asbestos-containing materials are found, IBSP visitors should report them to beach staff and should not attempt to remove the material or otherwise disturb it. The ATSDR Health Consultation now being released, reviewed results of EPA's 2007 "activity-based sampling" study that simulated a variety of recreational activities at IBSP including running, volleyball, and playing in the sand. Asbestos levels were below detection in most samples and very low in others. ATSDR concludes that potential asbestos exposures at IBSP are not expected to harm people's health. This conclusion is consistent with findings of previous investigations. A 60-day public comment period on ATSDR's Health Consultation report begins March 9th, 2009. ATSDR and partner agencies will soon announce a public forum to be held near the park in April or May. The health consultation is available at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/illinois_beach_state_park/. A copy of the health assessment will be available for review on or after March 13, 2009 at the following location: Zion-Benton Public Library ATSDR will accept comments on the health consultation through May 11, 2009. Comments on the health consultation must be made in writing. Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record for the health consultation and will appear in the final health consultation. Comments received (without the names of individuals who submitted them) and ATSDR's responses to these comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health consultation. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release in answer to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Send comments to: ATSDRRecordsCenter@cdc.gov, or mail to: For more information about the ATSDR Health Consultation, contact Mark Johnson (mdjohnson@cdc.gov or 312-886-0840). 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. ### Members of the news media can request an interview by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media).
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