Environmental contamination is not expected to cause harmful health effects for people who live or work on or near Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Detachment Concord, Calif. (NWS SBD Concord), says the public comment version of the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The document will be available for public review and comment through May 18.

ATSDR prepared this health assessment to evaluate potential past and current exposures to contaminants originating from NWS SBD Concord. ATSDR met with state, local, and Navy officials and community members to identify how people might come in contact with contaminated soil, sediment, surface water or groundwater while at or near NWS SBD Concord. In addition, ATSDR reviewed documents and information available from the U.S. Navy, Environmental Protection Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and other state and local agencies. The information describes the history of environmental investigations, clean up, environmental sampling and the extent of environmental contamination. ATSDR used this information to identify the type and amount of base-related contaminants people would most likely be exposed to during their normal activities.

Some areas of NWS SBD Concord have elevated concentrations of some environmental contaminants; however, the exposures are below levels expected to cause harmful health effects.

As a prudent public health action, ATSDR suggests that residents using private wells for domestic water supply periodically inspect the quality of the water in them.

ATSDR representatives will be presenting the results of the assessment and answer questions at the installation's Restoration Advisory Board meeting on Wednesday, May 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Concord Police Department Community Room, 1350 Galindo in St. Concord. This meeting is open to the public.

The assessment is available for public review through May 18. The public comment period is an opportunity for residents to review and comment on agency findings or proposed activities noted in the assessment. Residents are encouraged to participate by reviewing the document at

Concord Public Library
2900 Salvio Street
Concord, CA 94519

Comments must be made in writing to

Chief, Records Management Activity
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to the ATSDR administrative record for this public health assessment. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members may contact Environmental Health Scientist Sue Neurath or Community Involvement Specialist Maria Teran-MacIver, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Regional Representative Libby Vianu also may be contacted at 415-947-4319.