ATLANTA - Ongoing exposure to lead in children 6 years of age and younger living in or near the Omaha Lead site in Douglas County, Neb., is a public health hazard, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
ATSDR conducted a health assessment to evaluate the possible public health impacts of lead at the site. The assessment includes agency findings and recommendations for clean-up and future lead poisoning prevention. On the basis of an evaluation of available site information and sampling data, general findings conclude that:
- The ongoing exposure to lead for children 6 years old and younger living in or near the site is a serious public health problem. Review of data from July 2000 through 2003 indicate that 484 children in or near the site had blood lead levels of 10 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or greater. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blood lead level of concern is 10 µg/dL.
- The main sources of lead are lead-based paint and soil contaminated with lead emitted from the operation of the American Smelting and Refining Co.
- Public health actions should be created and implemented to address lead exposure to children in and around the site. These actions should work to increase the percentage of children 6 years and younger that receive annual blood lead testing. There should also continue to be a strong focus on primary prevention; for example, making homes lead-safe through remediating lead-contaminated soil and/or proper removal of lead-based paint. Continued remediation of contaminated soil by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is protective of public health.
The assessment is available online at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/omahalead and in the following locations:
W. Dale Clark Library
215 South 15th Street
Omaha, NE
Omaha Public Library
2302 M Street
Omaha, NE
Washington Branch
Omaha Public Library
2868 Ames Ave.
Omaha, NE
For more information, community members may contact Health Communications Specialist Youlanda Outin or Environmental Health Scientist Annmarie DePasquale, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Sue Casteel also may be contacted at 913-551-1312. 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.