ATSDR Finds No Current, Future Exposure to Radioactive Iodine at Oak Ridge Reservation, TN

Thursday, September 07, 2006
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Any iodine-131 (I-131) released from the X-10 site on the Oak Ridge Reservation, TN, during the 1940s through 2004 has decayed completely or is currently not present in the environment at levels of health concern, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

The agency will host a meeting at the Doubletree Hotel, 215 South Illinois Ave. in Oak Ridge on Sept. 11 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to discuss these findings and its recommendations.

ATSDR conducted the public health assessment to evaluate whether past, current and potential future releases of I-131 from the Oak Ridge Reservation could harm people living in communities near the reservation. The radioactive lanthanum (RaLa) process at the X-10 site released I-131 into the air from 1944 to 1956. People who lived near the ORR during this time could have come in contact with I-131, primarily from drinking local goat’s and cow’s milk.

Because of limitations with available data, ATSDR cannot reach a definitive conclusion about the potential for health effects from past I-131 exposures for those residents who were under the age of 18 at RaLa was processed. However, after reviewing historical air monitoring data and current literature, ATSDR did conclude the following about past I-131 releases:

  • Recently discovered historical air monitoring data from the early and mid-1950s and deer thyroid data from 1979 to 1989 suggest that I-131 released into the air from RaLa processing did not extend beyond the X-10 site boundary at levels that would cause a public health hazard.

  • Individuals who were living near the Oak Ridge Reservation and who were at least 21 years of age during RaLa processing were not exposed to I-131 at levels that would have caused thyroid diseases or thyroid cancer.

  • Individuals who were under the age of 18, who lived near the Oak Ridge Reservation during the years of RaLa processing, and who may have received a thyroid radiation dose in excess of 10 rads are the critical-sensitive population with the potential for developing thyroid diseases, including thyroid cancer. However, because sufficient information was not available about the actual areas impacted by RaLa releases, ATSDR cannot identify which communities surrounding the X-10 site may have been impacted in the past by thyroid doses in excess of 10 rads.

ATSDR recommends collecting on- and off-site soil samples downwind and upwind of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and analyzing these soil samples for I-129.  Although I-131 from the RaLa process is no longer present in the environment, the current radioactivity of I-129 in the soil can be used to evaluate past I-131 concentrations. Data collected from this I-129 analysis can be used to address the uncertainties associated with the estimated thyroid doses in the 1999 Tennessee Department of Health report Oak Ridge Dose Reconstruction Task 1 Report ¯Iodine 131 Releases from the Radioactive Lanthanum Process at the X-10 Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (1944-1956) and to better define the off-site populations impacted by I-131 releases.

The public health assessment is available to the public for review and comment, however ATSDR will not be able to address comments or make this report final unless additional U.S. Department of Energy funds are received. Community members are encouraged to submit comments during the public comment period, even though we do not know whether ATSDR will be able to respond. Public comments are an important part of the public record.

The public health assessment is available at the following locations:

Oak Ridge Public Library   
Civic Center
Oak Ridge, Tenn.


  Harriman Public Library
1 Waldon Ave.
Harriman, Tenn.
Kingston City Library       
1004 Bradford Way              
Kingston, Tenn.         
    
  Roane State Community College
276 Patton Lane  
Harriman, Tenn.

Rockwood Public Library
117 N. Front Ave.
Rockwood, Tenn.                                          

  Department of Energy Information Center
475 Oak Ridge Turnpike                          
Oak Ridge, Tenn.     
865-241-4780

The ATSDR Oak Ridge Field Office is now closed. Members of the community with questions about this public health assessment may contact Senior Health Physicist Paul Charp, Ph.D., Environmental Health Scientist Jack Hanley or Health Communication Specialist Marilyn Palmer Horton, toll free, at 1-800-CDC-INFO. Or, for more information about ATSDR activities at the Oak Ridge Reservation, visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/oakridge.

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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Related Web Site(s)

ATSDR Oak Ridge Reservation Site Information

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Related News Releases For Anderson County, Oak Ridge, Tennessee


Release Date:  Friday, September 24, 2010
ATLANTA – The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released its public health assessment (PHA) of historical air releases from the K-25/S-50 sites at the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee.

Release Date:  Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Atlanta - Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs -- a chemical used in the past as a coolant and lubricant in electrical and machining equipment) released from the Oak Ridge Reservation poses no apparent public health hazard, according to a public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)

Release Date:  Monday, January 05, 2009
No public health hazards occurred from past atmospheric releases of ionizing radiation, uranium, fluoride and hydrogen fluoride from the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) is the conclusion of a public health assessment issued by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Release Date:  Friday, May 23, 2008
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced that recently discovered evidence suggests Iodine-131 (I-131) releases occurring between 1944 and 1956 from the X-10 Site at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) did not extend beyond the facility boundary at levels that would constitute a public health hazard.

Release Date:  Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Current and future exposure to site-related chemicals in the off-site area surrounding the Oak Ridge Reservation is not expected to cause adverse health effects, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Release Date:  Monday, December 04, 2006
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs -- a chemical used as a coolant and lubricant in electrical equipment) from the Oak Ridge Reservation does not pose a public health hazard, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). However, as a public health precaution, the agency suggests residents limit eating certain types of local fish.

Release Date:  Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Cancer incidence for the eight-county area surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, TN is consistent with most cancer levels across the state, concludes a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Release Date:  Thursday, August 03, 2006
A report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concludes that contaminated off-site groundwater from the Oak Ridge Reservation is not a public health hazard.

Release Date:  Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Cancer incidence for the eight-county area surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, TN are consistent with most cancer levels across the state, says a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Release Date:  Friday, February 24, 2006
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will hold three public availability sessions March 1- 2 to discuss the findings of its assessment of cancer incidence for the eight-county area surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, TN.

Release Date:  Friday, February 03, 2006
Continued operation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Incinerator at the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation in Roane County, Tenn., does not present a public health hazard to nearby residents, says a public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

Release Date:  Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recently released its public health assessment about current and future exposures to off-site chemicals near the Oak Ridge Reservation. The assessment is available for public comment and review through Nov. 18.

Release Date:  Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), will hold a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on Sept. 22 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Release Date:  Thursday, August 04, 2005
The public comment version of the public health assessment evaluating off-site groundwater adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation has been extended. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) document is available for public comment and review through Sept. 22

Release Date:  Friday, July 08, 2005
The public comment version of the public health assessment evaluating off-site groundwater adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation was released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The assessment is available for public comment and review through Aug. 19.

Release Date:  Tuesday, June 21, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), will hold a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on June 28 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Release Date:  Friday, May 06, 2005
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.

Release Date:  Friday, April 08, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) invites Oak Ridge residents to attend education sessions about community health concerns presented by Dr. Robert Brent on April 18 and 19.

Release Date:  Friday, March 11, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), will hold a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on March 22 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Release Date:  Friday, September 10, 2004
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee will hold a public meeting at the Oak Ridge Mall in Oak Ridge, Tenn., from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14. Members of the community are encouraged to attend; there will be public comment opportunities.

Release Date:  Wednesday, June 02, 2004
ATSDR will host a public meeting on Monday, June 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on Tuesday, June 8 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Both meetings will take place at the DOE Information Center and representatives from EPA headquarters and Region IV will attend both meetings.

Release Date:  Wednesday, March 24, 2004
The final version of a public health assessment on the uranium releases from the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn., has been issued by ATSDR. The agency categorizes the site as no apparent public health hazard.

Release Date:  Tuesday, January 13, 2004
ATSDR announces openings for members to participate on the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). The deadline to receive application materials is Feb. 3, 2004.

Release Date:  Thursday, November 20, 2003
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee in Oak Ridge, Tenn., will hold a committee meeting from 12:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 2. ATSDR will address the findings of the public health assessment on the Y-12 uranium releases.

Release Date:  Wednesday, October 15, 2003
ATSDR will hold a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) in Oakridge, Tenn., on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Release Date:  Thursday, August 21, 2003
A meeting of Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) will be held August 26 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The agenda includes a presentation and discussion on the Health Education Needs Assessment.

Release Date:  Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Interested community members are encouraged to attend a public availability session to discuss ATSDR's public health assessment on the uranium releases from the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on June 2. ATSDR concluded that the level of uranium released from the plant does not present harmful health effects and poses no apparent health hazard.

Release Date:  Tuesday, May 27, 2003
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) will hold a public meeting on June 3 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Attendees will learn about the development of radiation safety standards, get an update on studies involving DOE workers and hear from ATSDR Assistant Administrator, Henry Falk, M.D.

Release Date:  Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Public health assessment on the Y-12 uranium releases in Oak Ridge, Tenn. available for public comment.

Release Date:  Thursday, April 17, 2003
Interested community members are encouraged to attend an April 22 meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) in Oak Ridge, Tenn. ATSDR will host a presentation on the public health assessment of the Y-12 uranium releases.

Release Date:  Thursday, October 17, 2002
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) will meet from 12:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22 at the YWCA, 1660 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Release Date:  Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Presentations will be made by the Subcommittee's Health Needs Assessment Work Group and Public Health Assessment Work Group on several current issues related to ORRHES. Details.

Release Date:  Thursday, April 18, 2002
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES), today announced that the subcommittee meeting originally planned for May 6, 2002, has been postponed. The agenda items for this meeting will be presented and discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the subcommittee which will take place in Oak Ridge on June 18, 2002.

Release Date:  Wednesday, March 27, 2002
The March meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). Key agenda topics for the meeting include: an overview of the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Workers Program, medical surveillance of former workers at DOE gaseous diffusion plants, and the chronic beryllium disease surveillance at DOE plants. ATSDR is responsible for evaluating the potential health effects on off-site populations exposed to hazardous substances released from Oak Ridge Reservation. ATSDR has set up these presentations, at the request of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee, to provide background on DOE programs to assess worker exposure issues.

Release Date:  Tuesday, March 19, 2002
The March meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). Key agenda topics for the meeting include: an overview of the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Workers Program, medical surveillance of former workers at DOE gaseous diffusion plants, and the chronic beryllium disease surveillance at DOE plants.

Release Date:  Monday, February 04, 2002
The February meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). Key agenda topics for the meeting include: a presentation by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of its community health concerns data base and its radiation screening process.

Release Date:  Tuesday, January 01, 2002
Nominations for new members to participate on the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee are sought by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both ATSDR and CDC are public health agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Release Date:  Monday, December 17, 2001
Nominations for new members to participate on the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee are sought by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both ATSDR and CDC are public health agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Release Date:  Wednesday, November 28, 2001
The December meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) is on December 3 and 4, 2001. The meeting is open to the public. Community members may address the subcommittee during public comment periods scheduled throughout the meeting.

Release Date:  Friday, January 12, 2001
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee will meet in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on January 18-19, 2001, according to representatives of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Release Date:  Thursday, November 09, 2000
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee will hold its first meeting November 16-17, 2000, according to representatives of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)


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Page last reviewed: September 07, 2006