ATLANTA, GA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has released its final health consultation report, “Evaluation of Contaminants in the Wetlands near Keith Middle School and Soil at New Bedford High School,” in New Bedford, MA. The public comment version was released on February 6, 2018.

The report evaluated the available environmental sampling data to determine whether New Bedford residents were exposed in the past to potentially harmful levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead.

The final report incorporates any responses to comments received during the public comment period in 2018. ATSDR’s overall conclusions and recommendations from the original report remain the same. The health investigation found that incidental ingestion of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and lead contaminated soil/sediment at both school campuses is not expected to harm people’s health.

In 2005, ATSDR received a petition from a local citizen of New Bedford, MA. The petitioner was concerned about plans to build a middle school on a former waste dump and asked ATSDR to investigate the property where the Keith Middle School (KMS) was proposed and the adjacent wetlands.

To read the report, visit: Keith Middle School Report.

Copies of the report can also be reviewed during regular business hours at:

New Bedford Main Public Library
613 Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

Lawler Branch Library                         
745 Rockdale Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02740

For more information about ATSDR’s Evaluation of Contaminants in the Wetlands near Keith Middle School and Soil at New Bedford High School report, community members can call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), email www.cdc.gov/info.