Chemical Hazards Program news [Nov. 2012]

CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

Volume 10; Issue 1 November 2012
IN THIS ISSUE: 2 Health Concerns
about Odors
2 Chemical of Concern: PARTICULATES
Prevention Project
3 Advocacy Group Survey CHP WEBSITE
3 Program Services and Much More 4 HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENTS 4 Honda Lock Haralson County Armstrong World Industries 5 Bibb County
Interagency and Advo-
6 cacy Group Partnership Glynn County
GIS MAPPING:
7 Arsenic in
Groundwater
Contact CHP
8 CHP PUBLICATIONS LIST

Welcome Readers!
This issue of the Chemical Hazards Program (CHP) News highlights possible health effects of odors and particulates in the air. Each year CHP and regional environmental health office staff investigate and respond to numerous reports from residents about potential health effects from exposures to air contaminants.
This newsletter is published annually for district and county Environmental Health Specialists and others working in Georgia Public Health. CHP staff is available to district and county health department staff, other state and federal agency personnel, and the public for information about the health effects from exposures to chemical contamination of air, groundwater, soil, surface water, and food. For example, we conduct public health assessments and consultations for hazardous waste sites. These are written reports detailing site history, community concerns, environmental sampling data, real and potential exposure pathways, and health outcome data. We also provide technical assistance, community involvement and education, and professional training for all chemical exposure-related issues.
If you would like information or assistance with chemical exposures, please contact us by calling 404.657.6534, or online:
www.health.state.ga.us/programs/hazards
-- Chemical Hazards Program Staff

New in 2012 @ CHP

CHP Welcomes New Staff! CHP welcomes NW regional staff member Shaun Brand. Shaun, originally from Savannah, is the Environmental Health County Manager for Chattooga County. He graduated in 2002 from Shorter College in Rome and won the 2012 GPHA Environmentalist of the Year Award!

The Georgia Department of Public Health recently changed their logo. The new logo (featured above in red) emphasized the department as a stand alone agency. CHP is working to update all of our documents, including brochures, fact sheets, surveys, etc to reflect this new change.

WE OFFER STAFF TRAINING
CHP offers a variety of professional training for county and district environmental health and other public health staff. Training topics include:
Chemical Hazards Program Overview Industrial Chemicals and Asbestos, Radon, and Uranium Methamphetamine Laboratories Risk Communication for Chemical Exposures Hazardous Household Chemicals
Training can be tailored to specific chemical exposure-related issues of concern to staff.

Please remember the environment and recycle!

Health Concerns About Odors

Odors are everywhere! An odor or smell, is a chemical in the air that is sensed by our nose (or olfactory system). We all come in contact with a variety of odors every day. Our sense of smell is unique in that smell perception varies from one person to the next. The average human breathes 10,000 to 20,000 liters of air a day, mostly through our noses. Most people can distinguish more than 5,000 odors. Chemicals create odors, whether good or bad. For example, oranges smell like oranges due to the chemicals that create the orange odor. Each year communities throughout Georgia are affected by nuisance odors. The Chemical Hazards Program (CHP) is often tasked with responding to requests to evaluate health impacts from exposure to environmental odors.
Many people become alarmed whenever an unpleasant odor is discovered near a home, school, or business. Common concerns about odors range from "Is it harmful?' to "this odor is making me sick". Can odors be harmful? Yes, certain types of chemicals that produce odors are potentially harmful and can cause health problems. Many of these harmful chemicals are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. Examples of these chemicals include volatile organic compounds (VOC's) like methanol gas, ammonia, and trichloroethylene. Exposure to low levels of these VOCs may cause temporary irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It is also possible that people with respiratory disease are more sensitive to the effect of inhaled VOCs.
However, just because something smells bad does not mean it is harmful; for example, hydrogen sulfide or `rotten eggs' smell. The level at which you can begin to smell hydrogen sulfide is about 1.0 microgram per cubic meter. EPA has determined that there is no health risk associated with exposure to hydrogen sulfide at this concentration. So, the average human nose will begin to smell hydrogen sulfide at levels below what is a considered harmful to public health and the environment. Conversely, certain odors that smell sweet can be deadly, like. benzene. And, some harmful and/or deadly chemicals can even have no odor at all, like carbon monoxide.
Becoming ill from exposure to certain chemical odors will depend on what you are exposed to, how much you are exposed to, how long you are exposed, how often you are exposed and your individual sensitivity to the odor. Odors can come from human activities, animals, nature, vehicles, and industry. odors and prevent their migration into communities are warranted when these odors create a persistent nuisance.
CHP staff is available to help individuals and communities with health concerns about odors. Contact us at 404657-6534 for assistance.

CHEMICAL OF CONCERN:
PARTICULATE MATTER
Particulate matter (PM) is the term used to describe tiny solids and liquid droplets that make up particle pollution. Particle pollution is comprised of a number of components including acids (such as nitrates and sulfates), organic chemicals, metals, and soil or dust particles. There are many sources for particulates in the air but mostly they come from soil, flora, fires, and road dust. Major man-made sources include emissions from combustion processes and products, like car exhaust, power plants, and heating systems.
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The size of PM is directly linked to their potential for causing health problems. For example, PM that is 10 micrometers in diameter or smaller generally pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. Particle pollution can cause coughing, wheezing, and decreased lung function even in otherwise healthy children and adults. EPA groups particle pollution into two categories: Inhalable coarse particles, such as those found near roadways are larger than 2.5 micrometers and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter. Fine particles, such as those found in smoke are 2.5 micrometers in diameter

and smaller. These particles can be directly emitted from sources such as forest fires, power plants, industry and automobiles.
Under the Clean Air Act, EPA sets national air quality standards for PM, especially sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are linked to a number of adverse effects on the respiratory system.
SO2 and NO2 are part of a group of highly reactive gasses. The largest sources of SO2 emissions are from fossil fuel combustion at power plants (73%). NO2 also forms quickly from vehicle emissions, power plants, and off -road equipment, and contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone.
(Source: www.epa.gov)

CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACTY GROUP SURVEY RESULTS

In early 2012, CHP partnered with Georgia State University's Institute of Public Health to conduct an environmental health education needs assessment of environmental advocacy groups in Georgia. The purpose of the needs assessment was to:
initiate interaction and build partnerships with advocacy group leaders;
promote Chemical Hazard Program services; gather community concerns, and identify hazardous waste sites in communities.
Advocacy groups were selected using existing CHP lists, as well as recommendations and lists obtained from prominent advocacy group leaders (e.g., EarthShare Georgia, Eco-Action, Glynn Environmental Coalition). Contact information was found for 137 environmental advocacy groups.
Twenty-one groups participated in the survey (16% return rate). A majority of participants chose protect/restore natural habitats as the main purpose of their organization. Nine groups focused on

protecting human health. Six of these nine respondents expressed interest in working with CHP to develop or implement public health interventions that protect community members from exposure to hazardous chemicals.
Many participants listed specific hazardous waste or industrial sites that are of concern among members of their community. Though many did not name a specific source(s), the majority of participants stated water contamination as being the chemical contamination issue that has the greatest impact on human health.
In addition, the survey asked about hazards found in the home, and drinking water was selected most often. Other hazards in the home were mold, asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon gas, secondhand smoke, and lead on surfaces.
The survey may be used for gathering health concerns from county board of health members, academia, county public health staff, and others.

Visit the CHP Website
Find us online at:
www.health.state.ga.us/programs/hazards
We hope the CHP website will become your source for chemical hazards information. The site provides information for environmental health professionals and the general public.
By accessing this site, you will be able to ask questions, quickly retrieve chemical-specific health effects information, find out about chemical exposure investigations conducted in your
community, locate consultation and referral sources, and much more!

CHP services and contact information Environmental terms and concepts Public health assessments and health
consultations Referrals Health education resources Chemical fact sheets Technical assistance

Hazardous waste sites in Georgia Ask CHP a question Cancer and the environment Professional training Fish consumption guidance Community involvement Links to websites of interest Helpful phone numbers

VOLUME 10: ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER, 2012

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HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT
A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is a way for health departments to provide information to communities and decision-makers about how a policy, project, or program may affect the health of residents. A HIA seeks to influence decisionmakers through recommendations to improve a proposal by increasing the potential for optimum health.
Decision makers at all levels are using the fast-growing field of HIA to take health into account on a broad range of sectors, including agriculture, education, energy and budgeting, in all types of locations--rural, suburban, urban, and at local, regional or statewide levels. In Georgia, six HIAs have been conducted: Aerotropolis Atlanta Atlanta Beltline Atlanta Regional Plan 2040 Buford Highway and NE Plaza
Redevelopment Fort McPherson Interim Zoning Piedmont Hospital: Hospitals and
Community Health
Major steps in conducting an HIA are: Screening - identify projects or policies for which an HIA would be useful. Scoping - identify which health effects to consider. Assessing risks and benefits - identify which people may be affected and how they may be affected. Reporting - present the results to decision-makers. Evaluating - determine the affect of the HIA on the decision making process.
For more information contact CHP at 404657-6534.

Honda Lock Haralson County
In fall 2012, the Northwest Health District and CHP responded to community concerns regarding odors and the potential for paint and solvent fumes to affect the health of residents living near the Honda Lock of America (HL-A) facility in Bremen, Georgia. The facility manufactures metal and plastic automobile parts. There are two residential neighborhoods within one mile of HL-A.
In July, staff met with HL-A personnel and regulators from the Air Protection Branch of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD) to conduct a facility tour. During this tour, we received an operational overview of the facility's part molding, part painting, recovery, and waste recycling operations. The facility is currently operating under a state-issued air quality permit for surface coating of miscellaneous automobile parts. GEPD verified that emissions are well below established permit limits. However, to address community health concerns, we looked at the geographical areas affected, operations that may lead to public health risks, and reviewed the toxicology of chemicals associated with the production process.
Because no outdoor air sampling data for emissions from HL-A are available, CHP evaluated employee personal air sampling equipment data obtained by independent industrial hygienists hired to monitor worker safety in the plant. We determined whether employees are at an increased risk for adverse health effects, and made qualitative assumptions regarding the potential for adverse health effects in the surrounding community. In November 2008 and December 2010, independent, Certified Industrial Hygienists conducted airborne chemical exposure evaluations of personnel working in the production lines at HL-A. Air sampling equipment was placed in the breathing zone of some workers to identify the levels of regulated air contaminants present in the work area over an 8-hour shift. These samples were analyzed in an OSHA certified laboratory by High Performance Liquid Chromatography.
Conclusions CHP examined the types and concentrations of contaminants of
concern, which were then evaluated with comparison values established by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and EPA. Comparison values (CVs) are concentrations of a contaminant that can reasonably (and conservatively) be regarded as harmless to human health, assuming default conditions of exposure (and include uncertainty factors to ensure protection of sensitive populations).
Although odors may affect quality of life, there is no indication that adverse health effects (i.e. physiological damage to organs) will occur from exposure to odors originating at HL-A. This assessment of potential health effects is based on quantified exposure levels experienced inside the HL-A facility, where paint fume odors are the most concentrated. Emissions from the facility are highly diluted by literally millions of cubic meters of air before reaching the nearest residential communities.

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CHEMCICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

Armstrong World Industries Bibb County

In Georgia, there are currently 17 final and one River. One advisory sign is posted at an access point to

proposed National Priority List (NPL) sites. NPL sites are Rocky Creek, `PCB's Present: Fish at Your Own Risk'.

considered the most contaminated among the federal Superfund sites with known releases of hazardous substances and potential for human exposures. In September 2011, EPA added Armstrong World Industries (AWI) in Macon to the NPL for release of regulated contaminants into soil and sediment. Approximately 4,000 people reside within one mile of AWI.

Community Outreach CHP conducted a variety of activities to gather and
address community health concerns related to AWI. Community concerns were gathered from interviews with residents and government agency staff, community and public meetings, community environmental health surveys, review of historical information, and local media

Since 1948, AWI has operated a ceiling tile coverage. From these methods, CHP determined that most

manufacturing plant at the site. During 1969 and 1970, residents are aware of AWI and the PCB contamination.

some of the tiles were coated with a formulation containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). PCBs are manmade chemicals used as coolants, lubricants and insulation materials for transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment. Manufacturing of PCBs ceased in the U.S. in 1977 after evidence showed that PCBs persist in the environment, biomagnify in the food chain, and may potentially cause harmful health effects

Recommendations CHP conducted a public health assessment for AWI to determine the possibility of human health effects from the site. GDPH recommends that fish caught from Rocky Creek should not be eaten but released back into Rocky Creek. Residents should follow the "Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters" published by the Georgia

CHP has reviewed site-related

Department of Natural

data provided by EPA and other

Resources. These Guidelines

sources. Other data include fish

can be found at www.dnr.org.

tissue sampling results obtained

The Guidelines for the

from Rocky Creek during a

Ocmulgee River make

Remedial Investigation conducted

recommendations of no more

by the U.S. Army Corps of

than 1 meal/week for

Engineers in 1999, and from

largemouth bass and no more

GEPD on a variety of fish species caught in the Ocmulgee River

Armstrong World Industries Site Location than 1 meal/month for flathead catfish. Recommendations are

downstream of the Armstrong site. Elevated levels of based on mercury and PCB levels found in Ocmulgee

PCBs were found in sediment and fish in Rocky Creek.

River fish. In addition, as a precautionary measure, people

Based on fish tissue sampling results, if residents regularly eat fish caught in Rocky Creek at locations south and southeast of the Armstrong site sources, the calculated exposure dose for adult recreational anglers can be up to

who eat fish from Tobesofkee Creek, which converges with Rocky Creek approximately 4 miles upstream of the Ocmulgee River, should follow the Guidelines for the Ocmulgee River as stated above.

23 times higher than the health effects screening value or Exposure to PCBs from fish can be reduced by cleaning

Minimal Risk Level (MRL), and the calculated exposure and preparing the fish by removing the head, guts, skin,

dose for a child eating half the adult amount would can be trimming the fat along the back belly, and removing the

up to 50 times higher than the MRL. The City of Macon fatty dark meat along the length of the fillet. Cook the fish

issued a fishing advisory for Rocky Creek and the state by broiling, baking or grilling in a way so fat drips away

issued consumption guidelines for the nearby Ocmulgee and not using the drippings can also reduce PCB exposure.

VOLUME 10: ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER, 2012

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Interagency and Public Advocacy Group Partnership Glynn County

A multi-agency/public partnership has come together to located along the Turtle River and adjacent marshlands

make fish advisories easier to understand. CHP, the Glynn and tidal creeks. This area is home to shrimp, blue crab,

Environmental Coalition (GEC) and state agency partners and other fish and seafood commonly eaten by local

produced and distributed a flyer for waterways in Glynn fishers. The U.S. Justice Department ordered the plant

County, home to four federal Superfund sites that released closed in 1994 after an investigation showed toxic waste

regulated chemicals to local waterways and resulted in fish was being discharged directly into the marsh. In 1996, the

and seafood consumption advisories. However, eating fish site was placed on EPA's National Priorities List (NPL).

is good for your health. Fish and seafood provide an NPL sites are considered the most contaminated among

excellent source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. The the list of federal Superfund sites with known releases of

partnership promotes the message, "Get fish and seafood hazardous substances and potential for human exposure.

from other sources than advisory areas."

Collaboration

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD)

The partnership published an easy to understand flyer

publishes risk-based consumption guidelines for how much targeting the subsistence and recreational fisher

fish to eat by species for every Georgia water body. But the communities in Glynn and surrounding counties. The

guidelines for Glynn County are complicated because of flyer contains a simplified advisory map and identified the

the numerous types of water

four most important messages

bodies and species of fish.

from all the existing advisories

CHP and staff from the GEC, the Glynn County Health Department, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GEPD and Coastal Resources Division), and University of Georgia decided that a better fish and seafood advisory was needed since the state advisories were not widely distributed, and knowledge about the advisories was lacking and/or inaccurate. In coastal Georgia, both PCBs and mercury have been detected in significant amounts in several species of fish and seafood, and

LCP Superfund Site

and educational information. In addition, demographic research indicates approximately 25% of the target audience reads at a third grade level or lower, thus, much effort was made to present the information using pictures with a minimum of text. Because of the success of the partnership, participation in the campaign has expanded to fishing supply/bait tackle businesses and marinas with owners and employees volunteering to help distribute the final brochures.

consumption advisories exist in

LCP Chemicals Site Location

Results

all six coastal counties.

Over 10,000 flyers have

Consuming seafood with high levels of mercury has been been distributed. The greatest success of the partnership

linked to irreversible neo-natal damage to nervous system was seeing the need, discussing solutions, and working

development (Trasande et al., 2005). For this reason, together until the goal was reached. This partnership can

warnings are especially crucial for women of childbearing be used as a model for others to learn how organizations,

age, women who are nursing, and young children. To help agencies, and communities can approach a problem and

communities understand the advisories, GEC received a achieve a goal.

$5,000 grant to print and distribute education information, and conduct targeted outreach to subsistence fishing areas and recreational fishers in Glynn and surrounding counties.

The flyers are available from CHP and the Glynn Environmental Coalition (www.glynnenvironmental.org) in English and in Spanish. The Georgia Environmental

The source of the mercury contamination is the Protection Division guidelines for fish consumption are

Linden Chemical and Plastics (LCP) Company, formerly available at www.gaepd.org/Documents/fish_guide.

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CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Map
Arsenic in Groundwater
In October 2011, CHP was notified by a resident in Thomas County that arsenic was found in private drinking water wells at concentrations that exceeded federal drinking water standards. The resident described health problems and reported that neighbors also have health complaints related to arsenic exposure In response, CHP reviewed well water analyses results, the area's history,
local hydrogeology, and conferred with experts, and determined that the arsenic is naturally occurring in the area. The arsenic coincides with a geological phenomenon known as the `Gulf Trough' located in the region.
ARSINIC IN MUNICPAL WATER
WELLS

`GULF TROUGH

VOLUME 10: ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER, 2012

Page 7

The goal of the CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM is to provide a resource to help evaluate and prevent the potential and/or actual adverse health effects to people in Georgia from
exposure to hazardous chemicals in the environment.
The CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM provides public health assessments and consultations, needs assessments, technical assistance, community education, staff training, and referrals for district and county health departments, residents, health
care professionals, and state and federal agencies.

Chemical Hazards Program Environmental Health Branch Georgia Department of Public Health 2 Peachtree Street, 13th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142 Phone: (404) 657-6534
Fax: (404) 657-6533 Email: jmperry@dhr.state.ga.us

CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM PUBLICATIONS

BROCHURES
Brownfields and Public Health Cancer and the Environment Chemical Hazards Program Chemical Hazards Program Internships Georgia Environmental Health Careers Health Effects of Odors Integrated Pest Management for Homes Landfill Gas and Odors Naturally Occurring Asbestos in Georgia Neighborhood Chemical Swap Programs Potential Long-Term Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide Radium and Uranium in Public Drinking Water Supplies Radon and Public Health Recycle Your Analog Television Recycling and Reusing Scrap Tires Safe Alternative to Common Household Chemicals

Uranium in Private Water Wells Well Water Quality and Testing Women in Environmental Careers (WeCareers.org) Women's Guide to Eating Fish and Seafood Fish Consumption Guidance (English and Spanish)
FACT SHEETS
BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Common Health Concerns about Crematory Operations Hazardous Household Chemical Reduction Household Hazardous Waste Reduction Lead in Soil Mercury in Air Proper Use of Naphthalene Pest Control Products Proper Well Abandonment Propyl Mercaptan and Ethoprop in Air

Chemical Hazards Program 2 Peachtree Street, 13th Floor Atlanta, GA 30303-3142