The Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today released for public
review and comment a health consultation addressing exposure to total trihalomethanes
(THMs) detected in the Pahokee and South Bay municipal water systems in Palm
Beach County, Fla.
The use of chlorine disinfection
in public water supplies is extremely effective in preventing exposure to
harmful bacteria, viruses and subsequent disease. THMs are chemicals, and
one of many groups of disinfection by-products (DBPs) formed as a result of
the chlorination of water containing organic material.
Some scientific studies suggest
a link between exposure to THMs and adverse health effects. ATSDR was asked
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate potential health concerns
from exposures to THMs in the South Bay and Pahokee communities.
ATSDR will host public availability sessions during the public comment period
(April 7-May 21, 2004) in Pahokee and South Bay, Florida. Meeting times and
locations will be announced.
The health consultation is available
for review at the following repositories:
Loula V. York Branch Library
525 Bacom Point Road
Pahokee, FL 33476
Clarence E. Anthony Branch Library
375 S.W. 2nd Ave.
South Bay, FL 33493
Belle Glade Branch Library
503 South Main St.
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Glades Academy
1200 East Main St.
Pahokee, FL 33476
Comments on the health consultation must be made in writing and will be accepted
through May 21, 2004. Mail comments to:
Chief, Program Evaluation, Records
and Information Services Branch
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333
Comments received during the public
comment period will be logged into ATSDR's administrative record for the health
consultation. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted
them, and ATSDR's responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to
the final public health consultation. Names of those who submit comments,
however, will be subject to release to requests made under the U.S. Freedom
of Information Act.
For more information, community
members may contact Environmental Health Scientist Peter Kowalski or Health
Communications Specialist Youlanda Outin, toll free, at
1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Benjamin Moore also may be contacted
at
1-800-241-1754, ext. 21784. Please refer to the Pahokee/South Bay Municipal
Water Systems site.