(ATLANTA) - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency, has released its report, Exposure Investigation (EI) – Blood Lead and Urine Arsenic Levels in Anaconda, Montana.

ATSDR assessed lead and arsenic exposure in 367 residents who participated in the EI from September to November 2018. The report finds that levels of blood lead and urinary arsenic measured in these residents of Anaconda are comparable to the rest of the U.S. population.  

ATSDR scientists will visit the community to discuss the overall findings of the report at a public meeting in Anaconda.

When:
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
6:00 PM

Where:
Anaconda Junior/Senior High School Auditorium
420 Main St.
Anaconda, Montana, 59711

To read the final report, visit https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/HCPHA.asp?State=MT.

Background
In 1882, the Anaconda Company Smelter began operations and continued to process ore from the Butte area until 1981. Slag and other smelter-related waste material was disposed in and around Anaconda. The smelter stack deposited lead and arsenic, resulting in wide-spread surface soil contamination. In 1983, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency placed the 300-square-mile area Anaconda Company Smelter site on the National Priorities List (NPL).

In May and July 2018, ATSDR, in coordination with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, hosted public meetings for the community in Anaconda, MT. In the fall of 2018, ATSDR conducted the EI to assess lead and arsenic exposure of residents.
For more information about the Anaconda Copper Smelter Superfund Site, contact CDC-INFO at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or www.cdc.gov/info or visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov.

For members of the media, a media availability session is scheduled (prior to the public meeting) for:

Wednesday, October 30, 2019
4:00 PM
Anaconda Junior/Senior High School Auditorium
420 Main St.
Anaconda, Montana, 59711