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Exposure to Radionuclides From White Oak Creek Does Not Pose Public Health Hazard  

Friday, May 06, 2005

Geographic Location: Oak Ridge, TN

ATLANTA - Past, current and future exposures to radionuclides released from White Oak Creek to the Clinch River/Watts Bar Reservoir are not a public health hazard, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The assessment will be available for public comment and review through June 23.

The assessment was designed to evaluate the releases of radionuclides to the Clinch River and Watts Barr Reservoir from the Oak Ridge Reservation via White Oak Creek. In addition, the assessment reviews past, current and future exposure to radionuclide releases for people who use or live along the Clinch River and Watts Bar Reservoir. The report addresses community health concerns and issues associated with the radionuclide releases from White Oak Creek. The assessment concludes:

  • Radionuclides released from the Oak Ridge Reservation to the Clinch River and Watts Bar Reservoir do not pose a health hazard to people who live near or use these waterways.

  • The amount of contaminants in the sediment, water and fish are below levels associated with adverse health effects.

  • People who have used or might continue to use the Clinch River and Watts Bar Reservoir for recreation, food or drinking water may have been exposed. However, this radiation dose is well below levels associated with a health hazard. Therefore, use of the waterways does not pose a public health hazard.

    • ATSDR representatives will present the results of the assessment and answer questions at the Kingston City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Kingston Community Center, 201 Patton Ferry Road. This meeting is open to the public.

    The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings or proposed activities noted in the assessment. The assessment will be available for public comment and review through June 23 at

    Oak Ridge Public Library
    Civic Center
    Oak Ridge, TN

    Harriman Public Library
    1 Waldon Ave.
    Harriman, TN

    ATSDR Oak Ridge Field Office
    197 South Tulane
    Oak Ridge, TN

    Kingston City Library
    1004 Bradford Way
    Kingston, TN

    Roane State Community
    276 Patton Lane
    Harriman, TN

    College Rockwood Public Library
    117 N. Front Ave.
    Rockwood, TN

    To request copies of the public health assessment, please call 1-888-422-8737. Comments concerning the document should be sent to:

    Chief, Records Management Activity, ATSDR
    1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
    Atlanta, GA 30333

    Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record for this public health assessment. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

    For more information, community members can contact ORRHES Designated Federal Official and Health Communications Specialist Marilyn Palmer Horton, toll-free at 1-888-422-8737 or by calling 404-498-1751. Environmental Health Scientist Bill Taylor also may be contacted in the ATSDR Oak Ridge Field Office at 865-220-0295. Callers should refer to the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation site in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

    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.

    Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

    Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 4770 Buford Hwy NE Atlanta, GA 30341
    Tel:(800) 232-4636 TTY: (888) 232-6348 24 Hours/Every Day