Public Comments Accepted through October 15, 2008
For Immediate Release: August 19, 2008
ATLANTA
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is seeking public comments on the health assessment of the Sonford Products Site in Flowood, MS. The purpose of the public health assessment (PHA) was to find out if people have been or are being exposed to hazardous substances in the surface soil at residential properties adjacent to the Sonford Products Site and if the exposure might affect their health. The PHA found that surface soil on residential properties adjacent to the site does not pose a health hazard to residents living there.
In 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collected surface soil samples from 23 properties adjacent to the Sonford Products Site. ATSDR evaluated levels of the chemicals found in the surface soil at these properties and the types of activities (such as gardening or playing) that put residents in contact with soil. Such activities may result in exposure to chemicals by ingesting or inhaling soil particles or by direct skin contact with surface soil. ATSDR concludes that individuals residing in the vicinity of the site are not likely to be exposed to chemicals in their residential surface soil that put them at risk for harmful health effects.
From 1972 to 1985, two processing plants produced wood-treating chemicals and pest control products at the Sanford Products location. In 2007, ATSDR evaluated chemicals in 8 soil samples collected by EPA within the site boundaries and found that dioxins, chemical by-products of wood-treating chemical production, were present in surface soil on the site itself. At that time, ATSDR met with property owners, workers and residents to report the findings and provide health education materials explaining ways to minimize exposure to harmful on-site chemicals. At present, additional soil sampling at the site is being completed by EPA. ATDSR will complete a full assessment of on-site chemicals in the next six months and will be continuing its work at this site as more environmental data is collected by EPA.
Residents of Flowood, MS are encouraged to read the public health assessment and make comments during the month-long public comment period. A copy of the health assessment is also located at:
G. Chastaine Flynt Library
103 Winners Circle
P.O. Box 320639
Flowoood, MS 39232
ATSDR will accept comments on the public health assessment through October 15, 2008. Comments on the health assessment must be made in writing. All comments received during the public comment period will be logged into the ATSDR administrative record for the health assessment and will appear in the final health assessment. Comments received (without the names of individuals who submitted them) and ATSDR's responses to these comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release in answer to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Mail comments to:
ATSDR
Records Center
Attn: Sonford Products Site in Flowood, MS
1600 Clifton Road, NE MS F-09
Atlanta, GA 30333
To receive a copy of the public health assessments or for more information about the public health assessment process, call Annmarie DePasquale (770-488-0766) or Paula Peters (770-488-0716). You may also call 1-800-CDC-INFO and request information on the Sonford Products Site.
ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
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Members of the news media can request an interview by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.