This public health assessment is the second environmental evaluation that ATSDR has conducted in response to requests from members of the Sitka community. The community was concerned that past emissions from the APC facility might be impacting their health. One of their main health concerns was the possible bioaccumulation of dioxin contamination in biota (such as fish, seafood, terrestrial animals, berries, and other biota.) This public health assessment addresses that concern.

Public health assessments report information about hazardous substances in the environment and evaluate whether exposure to those substances in the past, present or future could harm people in the area. They identify health studies or other activities that might be needed and make recommendations to other government agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state and local health and environmental departments, concerning actions to protect public health.

Public health assessments rely on three sources of information: environmental data, health data and reports of community concerns. Environmental data detail the chemicals at a site and indicate their potential pathways to reach humans. Health data include reports of injury, disease or death in the community, as well as information on the known human effects of chemicals at the site. Reports of community concerns document the public's descriptions of how the site affects their health and quality of life.

The health assessment will be available for public review and comment on or about August 18, 2000, at the following repositories:

The public comment period for the health assessment will run from August 18 through September 19, 2000.

Please send written comments to:

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged and become part of the administrative record for the health assessment. Comments (without indication of who made them) and responses will be included in an appendix to the final health assessment. Although names of those who have submitted comments will not be included in the final health assessment, they are subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act.

Community members seeking information on the procedures or content of the health assessment should contact ATSDR Health Assessor Theresa McDarmont, toll free at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Callers should refer to the "Alaska Pulp Corporation site" when asking to speak with a health assessor in the Division of Health Assessment and Consultation. The ATSDR Regional Representative, Richard Kauffman, also may be called for information at (206) 553-2632 in Seattle.

Members of the news media are requested to make an appointment to interview ATSDR staff. Phone Kathy Skipper or John Florence, ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs at (404) 498-0070.