The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a
public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
today is issuing the final version of its public health assessment for the
Amoco-Sugar Creek (aka Amoco Oil Company) site in Sugar Creek, Mo.
One of a series of public health documents, this public health assessment
specifically looks at whether residents of the Norledge area, adjacent to
the southern boundary of the site, are chronically exposed to benzene and
other contaminants in indoor air at levels of potential health concern. And,
this public health assessment includes the agency's responses to comments
received on the public comment version of the document.
The health assessment finds that although Norledge-area residents are chronically
exposed to indoor air contaminants, the contaminant levels detected in indoor
air are not likely to be associated with adverse health effects. ATSDR therefore
categorizes the current chronic exposures to indoor air in Norledge-area homes
as presenting no apparent public health hazard.
In evaluating indoor air data collected in June, July and October 1999 from
Norledge-area homes, ATSDR found that a current, completed exposure pathway
to indoor air exists for residents who live in this area. However, the chemical
levels detected would not be expected to produce adverse health effects in
area residents. Ongoing remedial activities by BP Amoco in the Norledge area
should result in decreasing contaminant concentrations in groundwater and
subsurface soil. Therefore, any potential contribution from these media to
indoor air levels should decrease as well.
In June 1998, ATSDR received a petition to conduct a public health assessment
of the former Amoco Oil petroleum refinery in Sugar Creek. Petitioners described
the Norledge area as an area at risk for off-site migration of contaminants.
Through a series of public health assessments and health consultations, ATSDR
evaluated off-site groundwater, soil, soil gas, sediment, surface water and
air data for the Norledge area.
For more information, community members can contact Environmental Health
Scientist Danielle Langmann, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative
Denise Jordan-Izaguirre also may be contacted at 913-551-1310. Callers should
refer to the Amoco-Sugar Creek site in Sugar Creek, Mo.