The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced today the release for public comment of the draft results of its public health assessment for the Kim-Stan Landfill site near Selma, Va.

After reviewing the available environmental data, ATSDR concludes that the landfill does not pose a current health hazard to nearby residents, visitors, or workers. Although contamination has migrated off the landfill, the concentrations of the chemicals in the surface soil, surface water, and sediment on the landfill and downgradient of the landfill are below levels that would cause health effects in humans.

Groundwater in the upper aquifer under the landfill is contaminated, however, it does not pose a health hazard since it is not used for drinking water or any other domestic purpose. All the past health concerns of area residents could not be fully addressed because there was not adequate data available, such as the absence of air data to evaluate odor concerns at the landfill.

ATSDR recommends additional sampling of the groundwater and off-site surface soil for further evaluation of the extent of contamination in these media. Also, soil gas should be tested to determine the extent of methane production, its possible off-site migration, and other air emissions from the landfill.  It also is recommended that the flow of leachate and surface water run-off be reduced in order to decrease future exposures to contaminants. As it becomes available, ATSDR will review new environmental data or information to determine its public health implications.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently is conducting a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study at the Kim-Stan Landfill. The additional environmental sampling data and other information are scheduled to be released in 2001. A water diversion project at the landfill is also nearing completion and will decrease the amount of water flowing from the adjacent mountain into the landfill.

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 EPA and state and local health and environmental departments, concerning actions to protect public health.

The Kim-Stan Landfill public health assessment will be available for public review and comment on or about January 7, 2001, at the following repositories:

The public comment period for the health assessment will run from January 7, 2001, through March 7, 2001.  Please send written comments to:

ATSDR
Chief, Program Evaluation, Records & Information Services Branch
1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop E-56
Atlanta, GA 30333

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 (FOIA).

Community members seeking information on the procedures or content of the health assessment should contact either Barbara Cooper, ATSDR environmental health scientist, or Maria Teran-MacIver, ATSDR community involvement specialist, toll free, at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Callers should refer to the "Kim-Stan Landfill site" when asking to speak with someone in the Division of Health Assessment and Consultation. ATSDR Regional Representative Tom Stukas also may be contacted by calling (215) 814-3142.