Current exposure to mercury released from the Y-12 plant at the Oak Ridge Reservation is not a public health hazard, concludes the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in the public health assessment (PHA) released today for public comment. The PHA evaluates exposure to mercury from 1950 to 2009. Mercury was used at the Y-12 plant from 1950 to 1963 to process lithium for hydrogen bombs.
ATSDR assessed the health effects for community residents possibly exposed to 3 forms of mercury in the air, soil, surface water, sediment, plants, and fish. To do this, ATSDR analyzed data from previous investigations of mercury releases from the Y-12 plant. The agency also evaluated potential past and current off-site exposures to mercury in 7 communities most likely to have been affected by the mercury releases. The communities are the City of Oak Ridge, Scarboro neighborhood, Wolf Valley, East Fork Poplar Creek floodplain, Poplar Creek, Clinch River, and Watts Bar Reservoir.
In the PHA, ATSDR concludes that:
- Current exposure to mercury released from the Y-12 plant is not a public health hazard.
- Based on weekly monitoring data, children who swallowed water while playing in East Fork Poplar Creek during specific weeks from 1956 - 1958 possibly could have been exposed to levels of inorganic mercury that may have kidney (renal) health effects.
- Children who accidentally swallowed soil while playing in the in two areas along East Fork Poplar Creek floodplain before the removal of mercury-contaminated soil in 1997, possibly could have been exposed to inorganic mercury that may have resulted in renal (kidney) health effects.
- Children born to women who were pregnant or nursing who ate fish from Poplar Creek, Clinch River, or the Watts Bar Reservoir during the 1970s-1990s may have a small increased risk of subtle neurodevelopmental health effects. or these risks to occur, mothers had to eat fish frequently just before and during pregnancy or while nursing.
Due to a lack of information, ATSDR cannot determine whether people living off site could have been harmed from breathing elemental mercury from 1950 through 1963, swallowing water with inorganic mercury from East Fork Poplar Creek from 1953 to 1955, and eating fish with organic mercury during the 1950s and 1960s.
To read the public health assessment, please visit: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/HCPHA.asp?State=TN. For more information, call 1-800-CDC-INFO.
A copy of the public health assessment is also available at area libraries and can be reviewed during regular business hours at the following locations:
Harriman Public Library
Attn: Reference Librarian
601 Waldon Avenue
Harriman, TN 37748-2506
Roane State Community College
Attn: Reference Librarian
276 Patton Lane
Harriman, TN 37748-8615
Oak Ridge Public Library
Attn: Ruth Dypolt, M.S.L.S.
Civic Center
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Rockwood Public Library
Attn: Reference Librarian
117 North Front Avenue
Rockwood, TN 37854-2320
Kingston City Library
Attn: Reference Librarian
1004 Bradford Way
Kingston, TN 37763-3100
ATSDR will accept public comments on the document until November 7, 2011.
Comments on the public health assessment must be made in writing. Comments received during the public comment period will appear in the final public health assessment. Comments (without the names of persons 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 will be subject to release in answer to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Send comments to: ATSDRRecordsCenter@cdc.gov, or mail to:
ATSDR Records Center
Attn: Rolanda Morrison
re: Oak Ridge Reservation Y-12 Plant
4770 Buford Highway, NE (MS F-09)
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
For more information about the ATSDR Oak Ridge public health assessment visit http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/Oakridge/phact/iodine/index.html
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.
Release Date: Wednesday, May 30, 2012
ATLANTA – Current exposure to mercury released from the Y-12 plant at the Oak Ridge Reservation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee is not a public health hazard, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concludes in the public health assessment (PHA) released today. Mercury was used at the Y-12 plant from 1950 to 1963 to process lithium for hydrogen bombs. The PHA evaluates exposure to mercury from 1950 to 2009.
Release Date: Friday, September 24, 2010
ATLANTA – The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released its public health assessment (PHA) of historical air releases from the K-25/S-50 sites at the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee.
Release Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Atlanta - Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs -- a chemical used in the past as a coolant and lubricant in electrical and machining equipment) released from the Oak Ridge Reservation poses no apparent public health hazard, according to a public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Release Date: Monday, January 05, 2009
No public health hazards occurred from past atmospheric releases of ionizing radiation, uranium, fluoride and hydrogen fluoride from the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (ORGDP) is the conclusion of a public health assessment issued by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Release Date: Friday, May 23, 2008
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) announced that recently discovered evidence suggests Iodine-131 (I-131) releases occurring between 1944 and 1956 from the X-10 Site at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) did not extend beyond the facility boundary at levels that would constitute a public health hazard.
Release Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Current and future exposure to site-related chemicals in the off-site area surrounding the Oak Ridge Reservation is not expected to cause adverse health effects, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Release Date: Monday, December 04, 2006
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs -- a chemical used as a coolant and lubricant in electrical equipment) from the Oak Ridge Reservation does not pose a public health hazard, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). However, as a public health precaution, the agency suggests residents limit eating certain types of local fish.
Release Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Cancer incidence for the eight-county area surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, TN is consistent with most cancer levels across the state, concludes a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Release Date: Thursday, September 07, 2006
Any iodine-131 (I-131) released from the X-10 site on the Oak Ridge Reservation, TN, during the 1940s through 2004 has decayed completely or is currently not present in the environment at levels of health concern, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Release Date: Thursday, August 03, 2006
A report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concludes that contaminated off-site groundwater from the Oak Ridge Reservation is not a public health hazard.
Release Date: Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Cancer incidence for the eight-county area surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, TN are consistent with most cancer levels across the state, says a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Release Date: Friday, February 24, 2006
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will hold three public availability sessions March 1- 2 to discuss the findings of its assessment of cancer incidence for the eight-county area surrounding the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation, TN.
Release Date: Friday, February 03, 2006
Continued operation of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Incinerator at the U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Reservation in Roane County, Tenn., does not present a public health hazard to nearby residents, says a public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
Release Date: Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) recently released its public health assessment about current and future exposures to off-site chemicals near the Oak Ridge Reservation. The assessment is available for public comment and review through Nov. 18.
Release Date: Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), will hold a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on Sept. 22 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Release Date: Thursday, August 04, 2005
The public comment version of the public health assessment evaluating
off-site groundwater adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation has been extended.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) document is available
for public comment and review through Sept. 22
Release Date: Friday, July 08, 2005
The public comment version of the public health assessment evaluating
off-site groundwater adjacent to the Oak Ridge Reservation was released by
the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The assessment
is available for public comment and review through Aug. 19.
Release Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), will hold a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on June 28 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Release Date: Friday, May 06, 2005
Past, current and future exposures to radionuclides released from White Oak Creek to the Clinch River/Watts Bar Reservoir are not a public health hazard, says the public health assessment released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The assessment will be available for public comment and review through June 23.
Release Date: Friday, April 08, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) invites Oak Ridge residents to attend education sessions about community health concerns presented by Dr. Robert Brent on April 18 and 19.
Release Date: Friday, March 11, 2005
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), will hold a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on March 22 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
Release Date: Friday, September 10, 2004
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee will hold a public meeting at the Oak Ridge Mall in Oak Ridge, Tenn., from 12:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 14. Members of the community are encouraged to attend; there will be public comment opportunities.
Release Date: Wednesday, June 02, 2004
ATSDR will host a public meeting on Monday, June 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and a meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) on Tuesday, June 8 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Both meetings will take place at the DOE Information Center and representatives from EPA headquarters and Region IV will attend both meetings.
Release Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2004
The final version of a public health assessment on the uranium releases from the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn., has been issued by ATSDR. The agency categorizes the site as no apparent public health hazard.
Release Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2004
ATSDR announces openings for members to participate on the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). The deadline to receive application materials is Feb. 3, 2004.
Release Date: Thursday, November 20, 2003
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee in Oak Ridge, Tenn., will hold a committee meeting from 12:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 2. ATSDR will address the findings of the public health assessment on the Y-12 uranium releases.
Release Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2003
ATSDR will hold a Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) in Oakridge, Tenn., on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Release Date: Thursday, August 21, 2003
A meeting of Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) will be held August 26 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The agenda includes a presentation and discussion on the Health Education Needs Assessment.
Release Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Interested community members are encouraged to attend a public availability session to discuss ATSDR's public health assessment on the uranium releases from the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on June 2. ATSDR concluded that the level of uranium released from the plant does not present harmful health effects and poses no apparent health hazard.
Release Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2003
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) will hold a public meeting on June 3 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Attendees will learn about the development of radiation safety standards, get an update on studies involving DOE workers and hear from ATSDR Assistant Administrator, Henry Falk, M.D.
Release Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Public health assessment on the Y-12 uranium releases in Oak Ridge, Tenn. available for public comment.
Release Date: Thursday, April 17, 2003
Interested community members are encouraged to attend an April 22 meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) in Oak Ridge, Tenn. ATSDR will host a presentation on the public health assessment of the Y-12 uranium releases.
Release Date: Thursday, October 17, 2002
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) will meet from 12:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22 at the YWCA, 1660 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Release Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Presentations will be made by the Subcommittee's Health Needs Assessment Work Group and Public Health Assessment Work Group on several current issues related to ORRHES. Details.
Release Date: Thursday, April 18, 2002
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES), today announced that the subcommittee meeting originally planned for May 6, 2002, has been postponed. The agenda items for this meeting will be presented and discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the subcommittee which will take place in Oak Ridge on June 18, 2002.
Release Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2002
The March meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). Key agenda topics for the meeting include: an overview of the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Workers Program, medical surveillance of former workers at DOE gaseous diffusion plants, and the chronic beryllium disease surveillance at DOE plants.
ATSDR is responsible for evaluating the potential health effects on off-site populations exposed to hazardous substances released from Oak Ridge Reservation. ATSDR has set up these presentations, at the request of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee, to provide background on DOE programs to assess worker exposure issues.
Release Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2002
The March meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). Key agenda topics for the meeting include: an overview of the Department of Energy (DOE) Former Workers Program, medical surveillance of former workers at DOE gaseous diffusion plants, and the chronic beryllium disease surveillance at DOE plants.
Release Date: Monday, February 04, 2002
The February meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES). Key agenda topics for the meeting include: a presentation by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of its community health concerns data base and its radiation screening process.
Release Date: Tuesday, January 01, 2002
Nominations for new members to participate on the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee are sought by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both ATSDR and CDC are public health agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Release Date: Monday, December 17, 2001
Nominations for new members to participate on the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee are sought by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both ATSDR and CDC are public health agencies of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Release Date: Wednesday, November 28, 2001
The December meeting of the Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee (ORRHES) is on December 3 and 4, 2001. The meeting is open to the public.
Community members may address the subcommittee during public comment periods scheduled throughout the meeting.
Release Date: Friday, January 12, 2001
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee will meet in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on January 18-19, 2001, according to representatives of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Release Date: Thursday, November 09, 2000
The Oak Ridge Reservation Health Effects Subcommittee will hold its first meeting November 16-17, 2000, according to representatives of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.)