ATLANTA, GA – The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will provide free testing for lead in blood and arsenic in urine for all residents in the Anaconda, Montana area as part of its Exposure Investigation (EI). Based on past smelting activities, the Anaconda smelter contaminated soils in the area with heavy metals. In 1983, the site was placed on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund National Priority List (NPL).
The EI will help ATSDR determine if area residents have elevated levels of lead in their blood or arsenic in their urine indicating they may have been exposed to contaminated soil in the Anaconda community. A questionnaire will be administered to approximately 200 residents that will provide information on how people may be exposed where they live, work, or spend leisure time.
When:
Friday, September 14 through Sunday, September 16, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Monday, September 17, 2018
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where:
Anaconda Community Service Center – 3rd Floor
118 East 7th Street
Anaconda, MT
In May 2018, residents met with ATSDR staff and other public health and environmental agencies at a public meeting to share health concerns they believe are related to lead and arsenic exposure. In July, ATSDR held a second public meeting and informed the community about the planned Exposure Investigation.
Lead exposure can cause learning and behavior problems in children and potential adverse effects on the developing child in pregnant women. Long-term exposure to arsenic can lead to skin conditions and circulatory and nervous system problems. Arsenic exposure over many years may also increase the risk of cancer of the skin, bladder, lung, and liver.
For more information about the Anaconda Copper Smelter Superfund Site, contact David Dorian, ATSDR Region 8 at (303) 312-7011 and Ddorian@cdc.gov or CDC-INFO at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or information about ATSDR visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
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ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the potential for adverse human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.