Chemical Hazards Program news [Dec. 2011]

CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

Volume 9; Issue 1 December 2011
IN THIS ISSUE:
In the News:
Uranium in Private
2 Well Water
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Chemical of Concern:
Uranium 2
HOUSEHOLD
3 HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL REDUCTION PROJECT CHP WEBSITE
3 Program Services and Much More
CHP INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM 4
Naturally-occurring
4 Arsenic in Wells Grady County
PFOS in Fish
5 Whitfield County
Transcontinental Gas
6 Pipeline Company
Madison County
7 GIS MAPPING:
Cancer Incidence Data
Contact CHP
8 CHP PUBLICATIONS LIST

Welcome Readers!

This issue of the Chemical Hazards Program (CHP) News highlights uranium levels found in drinking water wells. Several agencies are working with CHP and district health office staff to investigate residents' concerns about exposure to uranium including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the University Georgia Cooperative Extension, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
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 2011 @ CHP

CHP regional staff member Christine Buffington accepts
the EPA 2011 Achievement Award for the
Woolfolk Community Engagement
Team.

Julia Campbell accepts the Sabbatical
Exchange Award from the National
Environmental Health Association. This fall, Julia was an EHS intern in the
United Kingdom.

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!

In the News: Uranium in Well Water--Should I Test My Water?

Uranium is a naturally-occurring radioactive metal found in rocks, soils, and water (for health effects

information, see Chemical of Concern section below). As a result, some private water wells in Georgia may

exceed the federal regulatory standard for uranium in public water supplies. Although private wells are not subject

to the same regulatory standards as those set for public drinking water supplies, it is recommended for health

purposes that private well owners use these standards to guide their water treatment decisions.

The Safe Drinking Water Act covers uranium in public drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency establishes maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for radioactive contaminants in public drinking water

supplies. MCLs are below levels at which health effects have been observed. Therefore, they are assumed to be

protective of public health. The uranium MCL is 30 g/l (micrograms per liter) or 30 ppb (parts per billion) in

drinking water.

Uranium in groundwater occurs mainly in Georgia's northern Piedmont region. Deep bedrock wells are more

likely than shallow wells to have elevated levels. The amount of uranium in well water will vary greatly from

place to place. Testing is the only way to determine if water contains uranium. CHP recommends that you contact

your county Cooperative Extension office or a state-certified laboratory and ask for a uranium test. The test costs

about $50. If you do have elevated uranium, you can install a "point of use"

filtration system in your home. Point of use filtration systems can remove If you have elevated levels of

up to 90 percent of uranium in drinking water. These systems require proper installation and maintenance. A system costs about $500, plus the cost of installation. You can save money by installing a system yourself.
.
Test Your Home for Radon

uranium in your well water, please test your home for radon. Contact the Chemical Hazards
Program at 404-657-6534 for assistance.

When uranium is found in drinking water, the indoor air should be tested for radon gas. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from the decay of uranium. Radon can build up in indoor air, resulting in an elevated radon level in the home. Radon emits particles that can be harmful to the human body, primarily the lungs. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. In fact, everyone in Georgia should test their home for radon gas.

CHEMICAL OF CONCERN:
Uranium
Natural uranium is in your normal diet, so there will always be some level of uranium in all parts of your body. Most uranium in drinking water is quickly eliminated from the body, but a small amount is absorbed from the digestive tract.
Exposure to elevated levels of uranium over a long period of time can damage your kidneys. However, the kidney can recover from this damage after exposure is reduced or eliminated. It has not been determined whether uranium in drinking water causes cancer.

You can be exposed to uranium from drinking water, eating food, and breathing air containing uranium. Uranium does not absorb through the skin. It does not "evaporate" from the water into the air.
The general population is most often exposed to elevated levels of uranium by drinking water containing uranium. While exposure to elevated levels of uranium in drinking water for a short period of time is not an immediate health concern, uranium may pose a health risk when the water is used for drinking and cooking over many years. This is from the toxic effect of the uranium metal, not radiation. The amount of radiation emitted by uranium is very small, and poses little health risk.

Infants and young children are most at risk for adverse health effects from repeated exposure to uranium in drinking water. Because of their body weight and developing systems, infants and children absorb more contaminants and can sustain permanent damage if exposures occur during critical growth stages.
Therefore, pregnant and nursing women, women who may become pregnant, infants and small children are sensitive populations that should avoid consuming water with elevated levels of uranium for an extended period of time.
Medical tests can measure for uranium in the body and for kidney function. Talk to your health care provider if you have health concerns.

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CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

Protecting Your Health at Home: A Prevention Project

To reduce chemical exposures in the home, CHP helps promote Hazardous Household Chemicals Reduction (HHCR). For example, CHP staff helps inform residents about household activities that can be done using non-toxic or less toxic alternatives to common household chemicals.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 9 out of 10 suspected poisonings occur at home, and the culprit usually is a common household product. Products such as cleaners, pesticides, petroleum products, and paints can pose a threat to health. In fact, Each year, about 30,000 people die from
unintentional poisoning and over 700,000 people will visit an emergency room for help with a chemical exposure. More than 90% of poisonings occur at home with the majority involving household chemicals. Children under six years make up 50% of poison exposures involving household chemicals.

The national Animal Poison Control Center handles more than 50,000 calls each year for pets exposed to hazardous household chemicals.
HHCR promotes methods for chemical use reduction, safer alternatives to common household chemicals, and Integrated Pest Management practices. "By educating people about reducing the amount of chemicals used, it is possible to have a safer, healthier community," said Dr. Linda Capewell, CDC Preventive Medicine Fellow working with CHP staff to launch the HHCR Project. Contact CHP for more information.

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 Health studies 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

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DECEMBER, 2011

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Chemical Hazards Program Internships
The Chemical Hazards Program (CHP) Internship Program prepares college students for careers in Environmental Public Health. Each CHP internship is uniquely designed based upon a student's personal interests, abilities, career goals, and academic requirements.
By participating in the CHP Internship Program, students: Develop a balance between
academic foundations and practical experiences in public health. "Try out" working relationships-- have a chance to build references and experience, and help get meaningful work done. Create a s positive presence for the Department of Public Health as it relates to academic institutions in Georgia.
The minimum qualifications for CHP Internship consideration is enrollment in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program at an accredited four-year college or university, which includes at least forty (40) quarter hours (or 27 semester hours) in laboratory sciences (e.g., chemistry, biology). A strong interest or experience in Environmental Health or a closely related field is preferred. For more information about internships with CHP, contact us at 404.657.6534.
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Arsenic in Private Wells
Grady County
In late 2009, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD) notified CHP that arsenic was found in a test municipal water well in Cairo, Grady County, at concentrations that exceeded the federal drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb). A literature search by CHP staff found there are no industries or state or federally listed hazardous waste sites near the location of the well that may be a source for arsenic released to soil or groundwater. CHP reviewed additional well sampling results provided by GEPD and both agencies determined that the arsenic is naturally-occurring.
CHP evaluated the potential health risks associated with exposure to elevated levels (range of 11--17 ppb) of arsenic in three private wells. In March 2011, CHP published a Health Consultation that concluded:
Non-cancer adverse health effects from drinking arsenic contaminated water (i.e. arsenic-related skin lesions) are not expected to occur because the estimated exposure doses are many times below exposure doses shown to have adverse health effects in various human studies.
Inorganic arsenic is a known carcinogen for multiple organ systems . (liver, kidney, lung, skin, and bladder) Drinking water from private wells with the highest levels of arsenic over a lifetime (70 years) may increase the risk for developing cancer from one to six cancer cases per 10,000 population.
Recommendations 1. Residents concerned with exposure to arsenic can exercise the option
of drinking bottled water at their own expense. The University of Georgia has published several educational brochures regarding water quality. These brochures may be found under Water Quality at www.fcs.uga.edu. 2. The types of household filters specific to drinking water treatment that can be used to reduce inorganic and organic arsenic concentrations can be found at www.nsf.org. 3. If residents are concerned about current arsenic exposure, they can consult with a health care professional for medical testing. If elevated levels of inorganic arsenic are found in urine, please contact CHP at (404) 657-6434. 4. The frequency of water quality sampling in water supply wells located in high risk areas (Gulf Trough) throughout Grady County should be increased to ensure fluctuations of arsenic inside associated well fields do not periodically exceed federal drinking water standards.. 5. The municipal water supply authorities should continue to regularly monitor water for arsenic and report elevated levels to GEPD.
For more information about exposure to elevated levels of naturallyoccurring arsenic in your well water, please call CHP at 404-657-6534. Contact your county University of Georgia Cooperative Extension office for specific information about testing for arsenic, and for assistance with mitigating arsenic in water using point of use filter systems.
CHEMCICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

FOS in Fish Whitfield County

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a synthetic (man- than exposure doses shown to have adverse health effects in

made) chemical compound in a broad class of human and animal studies. The Health Consultation was

manufactured chemicals that has been produced since the provided to local and state agency officials, posted on the

1950s. This class of chemicals is used in making products CHP website, and provided to the local library repository

that resist oil, stains, heat, water and grease. These products for public review. No comments or questions from the

include stain-resistant carpets and fabrics, non-stick public regarding the report have been received by local or

cookware, oil and moisture-resistant paper coatings, nail state public health agency officials.

polishes, and fire-fighting foam. In addition to the many

consumer-product uses, the aerospace, automotive,

In July 2011, CHP completed a community needs

construction, electronics, semiconductor, and textile assessment to determine:

industries use PFOS. PFOS was used by some companies in

1. fishing and fish consumption practices for this area of

carpet industry to make stain-repellent floor coverings. In

the Conasauga River;

1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

2. if fish consumers know about and follow the

began investigating PFOS and related chemicals after

Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters, and

receiving data on the global distribution

3. the best ways to distribute the Guidelines and other

and toxicity of PFOS. As a result, the production of PFOS containing products began to be phased out in 2000. PFOS continues to be produced in China.

PFOS in Fsh from the Conasauga River:
Fish Sampling Locations

health-related information to fishers.
CHP conducted community outreach and education efforts to help ensure that fish consumers are aware of, and follow,

The U.S. supplies about 45% of the world's carpet and over 80% is supplied by mills located within a 65-mile radius of Dalton, Whitfield County*.

Guidelines for Consuming Fish from Georgia's Waters. The existing guidelines are protective for the levels of PFOS found in fish for the general public and sensitive populations (e.g., pregnant women, small

CHP reviewed sampling data from

children). The fish consumption guidelines

fish caught in a section of the Conasauga

are published by the Georgia Department of

River located approximately five miles

Natural Resources (DNR) and can be found

east and southeast of Dalton. In

on the DNR website, www.dnr.org.

September 2010, CHP published a Health Consultation that details our findings regarding the potential for adverse health effects from exposure to elevated levels of PFOS found in fish and fresh water mussels. Results show that background samples had concentration of 1.8 to 4 parts per billion (ppb) of PFOS. The average level of PFOS from each location was lowest (0 4 ppb) in mussel samples, and ranged from 18 180 ppb in spotted bass and blue catfish samples.

CHP recommends eating one to two meals of fish per week. Fish are a good source of protein and contain many vitamins and minerals. Eating fish may help protect adults against cardiovascular disease. The consumption guidelines for the Conasauga River recommend eating no more than one meal per week for spotted bass and depending on the size of the blue catfish, no more than one meal per week or one meal per month.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have not set an Action Level for the amount of PFOS in fish and seafood. (The term Action Level refers to the concentration of a chemical that will initiate an investigation and/or risk management action.)

Recommendation During spring 2012, DNR and CHP staff will continue
to distribute Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters throughout the Dalton area.

In the Health Consultation, CHP concludes that the estimated exposure doses to PFOS are many times lower

* Source: www.northga.net/whitfield/indust.html; The Industry of Dalton.

VOLUME 9: ISSUE 1

DECEMBER, 2011

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Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Compressor Station Madison County

CHP received requests from members of a community group to conduct a Public Health Assessment for the residents living near the Transcontinental Gas Company compressor station (Transco) in Madison County. In response, CHP evaluated the potential for exposures to hazardous chemicals released to soil, sediment, groundwater and air from facility operations. CHP concludes that operations at Transco are not expected to harm people's health because the public has not been, are not currently, and are unlikely to be exposed to contamination at levels of health concern. Specifically,
Soil contamination has been contained on-site in restricted access areas, and to undeveloped woodland of Transco property not easily accessible and rarely accessed by the general public.
Sediment contamination is limited to on-site drainage ways and a creek on Transco property in areas not used for recreation.
There is no off-site groundwater contamination from facility operations.
The facility has consistently remained in compliance with air emissions regulations.
Formaldehyde emissions from this facility are not at levels that pose a health hazard to the public.
In 1988, the discovery of residual polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in air systems condensate resulted in Transco implementing corrective actions to prevent discharge to soil. Over 15,000 environmental samples were collected and approximately 13,500 tons of contaminated environmental media was remediated at the Transco site. Assessment and remedial activities addressed PCBs, hydrocarbons, mercury, lead, and arsenic.
Off-site Soil and Sediment Sampling Off-site soil and sediment samples were collected from
private property approximately 50 yards from, and down gradient of, the Transco property. Samples were collected by an independent contractor and analyzed for PCBs, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and metals (arsenic, mercury, chromium and lead), and no contaminants were found at levels exceeding any regulatory or health values
Groundwater Since April 2005, six on-site groundwater wells have
been installed and groundwater is being monitored as part of long-term site assessment activities. Each well has been sampled several times per year. Sporadically-observed elevated levels of arsenic in one monitoring well are not

indicative of a groundwater plume, and at this time do not pose a risk to nearby surface water or residential drinking water sources.
Outdoor Air To address questions about the levels of
formaldehyde released to ambient (outdoor) air from Transco (the air permit allows 182.5 tons per year), CHP requested assistance from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) with evaluating formaldehyde emissions. CHP and ATSDR staff conducted a site visit in February 2010, reviewed information provided by the facility, and applied the sitespecific parameters in an air dispersion model to estimate formaldehyde levels in the community. Based on the results, ATSDR and CHP conclude that exposure to the predicted formaldehyde levels in air for the closest residential areas to Transco are not expected to cause harmful health effects.
Health Outcome Data A review of cancer incidence and mortality data, and
data for miscarriages shows no excess numbers of cases or rates of cancer within a minimum five miles radius of Transco, no excess numbers of miscarriages in Madison County, no clusters of cancer cases or miscarriages near Transco, and no excess number of deaths from cancer in Madison County.
Community Involvement From 2006 - 2009 a variety of methods were used by
CHP staff to gather community health concerns including attending community group. meetings, Community Environmental Health Surveys, interviews with residents and government agency staff., and review of local media coverage and public meeting minutes. Based on the lack of historical evidence of community concern, small number of requests received by agencies and others reported to CHP, low level of community participation in surveys and the responses regarding environmental concerns, it appears that most residents of Madison County do not have health concerns about Transco.
Recommendations No additional public health actions are recommended
at this time. If additional data become available, the information will be reviewed by CHP, and appropriate actions will be taken.

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CHEMICAL HAZARDS PROGRAM NEWS

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Map
Leukemia Cases in Madison County
TO INVESTIGATE SOME RESIDENTS' CONCERNS ABOUT REPORTS OF CHILDHOOD LEUKEMIA CASES NEAR THE TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPELINE COMPRESSOR STATION (TRANSCO), CHP MAPPED LEUKEMIA INCIDENCE DATA FOR
1999 - 2007 (THE YEARS FOR WHICH COMPLETE DATA ARE AVAILABLE). THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A CLUSTER OF LEUKEMIA CASES IN MADISON COUNTY OR NEAR TRANSCO.
Compressor Station # 130
*

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DECEMBER, 2011

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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