Public Health Assessment Shows Little Contamination No Elevated Rates of Cancer Near CTS Mills Gap Facility

I think that this whole episode has been fueled by environmental extremists, fear mongers, attorneys and other people seeking to make a profit (both in terms of money and political power) from a false scare.

Hat Tip to Mountain Xpress, I had forgotten when the report was due.

Here are some excerpts from the report:

Conclusion 1

The DPH concludes that chemicals identified in the past and

current samples of private well waters, surface waters, sub-surface

soils, crawl-space air, sub-surface soil gas and outdoor air are not

expected to harm people’s health.

Basis for decision

The concentrations of chemicals detected in the private well waters,

surface waters, sub-surface soils, crawl-space air, sub-surface soil gas

and outdoor air were compared to health effect studies of people and

animals coming into contact with the chemicals. The levels measured

in these samples were lower than the levels expected to harm health or

to cause an increase in cancer rates.

Conclusion 2

The DPH cannot currently conclude whether groundwater with

elevated concentrations of the metals chromium and lead could

harm people’s health. There is not adequate information to

determine whether groundwater with elevated lead and chromium

has been, or is, a source for private drinking water wells.

Basis for decision

There is no indication that people have been in contact with

concentrations of lead or a toxic form of chromium (hexavalent

chromium) in their private drinking water wells. Many people in the

area have in the past and currently get their drinking water from private

wells. Studies of groundwater flow in the area of the CTS site indicate

that groundwater located at different depths are inter-connected and

have been used as regional drinking water sources.

Lead in groundwater was found at concentrations greater than the

health guideline value referenced by the N.C. Department of Health

and Human Services (DHHS) for private well water supplies. It has not

been confirmed that the groundwater with the elevated lead has been

used, or will be used, as a drinking water source.

Elevated levels of chromium have been identified in groundwater in the

area of the CTS property. If the chromium is present as substantial

concentrations of hexavalent chromium, and the waters have been, or

maybe used as a drinking water source, adverse non-cancer and cancer

health effects could result from long-term ingestion.

Conclusion 3

The DPH concludes that other groundwater contaminants,

including the volatile organic compound (VOC) trichloroethylene

(TCE) and vinyl chloride, are not expected to harm people’s health.

Basis for decision

There is no indication that people have been drinking water that

contains VOC contaminants observed in the groundwater samples. The

concentrations of TCE and other contaminants related to the CTS site

and detected in groundwater beyond the property (off-site) were lower

than the levels expected to harm people’s health.

Vinyl chloride was found in groundwater on the CTS property, but not

off-site. Long-term ingestion of vinyl chloride at the concentration

observed in the on-site groundwater could result in both non-cancer

harm to people’s health and a moderate cancer risk. There is no

potential for health effects if the vinyl chloride does not travel off-site

and people are not exposed.

The DPH concludes that the residents using a private well

identified in 1999 as contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE),

for possibly as long as 11 years, could have been harmed by

drinking the water or breathing TCE escaping from the water to

the household air.

Persons using two spring private wells serving one home until

approximately 1994, and serving two other homes until 1999, could

have been harmed by drinking the water or breathing TCE

escaping from the water to the household air.

TCE contamination was identified in three private wells serving three

homes in July 1999 and the wells were disconnected. It is not known

when the contamination first appeared in the well water, or what the

range of TCE concentrations were over the time the well was being

used. Some of the health issues reported by family members include

those that have been associated with TCE contact. An increased cancer

risk is indicated if the long-term occupants of the residence were in

contact with TCE concentrations similar to those in the single well

water sample collected in 1999.

Drinking water contaminated with TCE and breathing TCE volatilized

from the drinking water supply over many years in large amounts may

cause adverse health effects. These effects include increased risk of

kidney or liver cancer; dizziness, lung irritation, impaired heart

function; and nerve, kidney or liver damage. Reproductive effects such

as impaired fetal growth or decreased fertility may also result. There

may be an increased risk of birth defects or leukemia to children of

women exposed during pregnancy.

Conclusion 5

The DPH N.C. Central Cancer Registry (CCR) determined that

cancer rates for the population living in a 1-mile radius around the

CTS property were not elevated.

Basis for decision

The CCR studied the number of cancers reported by health care

providers in the area surrounding the CTS site to the expected number

of cases in the same time period. The study focused on the types of

cancers linked with TCE contact: liver cancer, renal cancer, and non-

Hodgkin lymphoma. The results of the investigation indicate that the

observed numbers of cases of these cancers fall within the expected

range, and there is no evidence of a clustering of cancer cases in the

study area.

The cancer evaluation is limited by the small population size of the

study area and the availability of cancer records only since 1990.

Because of the long latency period of most cancers the evaluation is

also limited by the use of a person’s address at the time of diagnosis

rather than the ability to identify if and where the critical exposure that

led to cancer development took place.

Commentary

So, as you can see, a thorough scientific study has found little (if anything) to be concerned about in this matter.

And here is the report itself, for the record, and for your own perusal, you may download it at the link on the top of the document:

Part 1-CTS Mills Gap Road 1-12-2010