Elevated levels of arsenic were found at more than 700 properties in East Omaha, Neb., says a report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). High levels of arsenic might pose a health concern for some children and adults.
The public health consultation titled Arsenic in Soil in East Omaha, Nebraska, presents ATSDR findings about the site, and offers recommendations to protect health and prevent exposure.
Arsenic levels above 70 parts per million (ppm) are considered elevated; exposure at these levels are a concern for preschool children who eat soil while playing, this is called soil-pica behavior. After eating about one teaspoon of soil with high levels of arsenic, children may become sick. Also, adults who are exposed to elevated levels of arsenic in soil over several decades might have an increased risk for cancer of the skin, lungs, bladder, kidney and liver.
In its health consultation, ATSDR makes the following recommendations:
- Identify children with soil-pica behavior and prevent them from eating soil.
- Do not eat or drink when gardening or playing outside.
- Wet-mop floors and clean window sills with wet rags.
- Leave shoes at the door.
- Wash your hands and children's hands often.
Persons living on or owning property with a yard-wide average arsenic level above 70 ppm have received letters. ATSDR will hold community meetings in Omaha to discuss the health consultation. During these meetings ATSDR representatives will meet one-on-one with residents to address their questions and concerns. The meeting dates, times and locations follow:
Nov. 15
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
South High School
4519 S. 24th Street
Nov. 17
12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Teacher Administration Building
3215 Cumming Street
Nov. 17
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
North High School
4410 North 36th Street
Nov. 19
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Juan Diego Center, Catholic Charities
5211 S. 31st Street
The health consultation, fact sheets and other information about the site are available online at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/omahash52. Copies of the consultation are also available at the following locations:
- South Branch Library, 2302 M St., Omaha, NE
- W. Dale Clark Library, 215 S. 15th St., Omaha, NE
- Charles B. Washington Branch Library 4401 N. 21st St., Omaha, NE
- Chicano Awareness Center, 4821 S. 24th St., Omaha, NE
- Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition, 2240 Landon Ct., Omaha, NE
- Southern Sudan Community Association , 4819 Dodge St., Omaha, NE
- Fred LeRoy-Ponca Tribe, 2602 J St., Omaha, NE
- Voices for Children in Nebraska, 7521 Main St., Suite 103, Omaha, NE
- Hope Medical Service, 2566 Saint Mary's Ave., Omaha, NE
- Juan Diego Center Catholic Charities, 5211 S. 31st St., Omaha, NE
- Catholic Charities, 300 N. 60th St., Omaha, NE
- Iglesia de Dios-Fraternidad Cristiana, 1001 N. Fort Crook Rd. Suites 119-120, Bellevue, NE
- EPA Region 7 Records Center, 901 N. 5th St Kansas City, KS
Members of the community who have questions about this health consultation or ATSDR activities at East Omaha Arsenic Site may contact Health Communications Specialist Yolanda Freeman or Toxicologist Dr. David Mellard, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Sue Casteel can also be contacted at 913-551-1314.
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.