Savannah River Site Health Effects Subcommittee (SRSHES) Meeting

Final Meeting Minutes
June 06, 2002

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Ms. Connell reported that the 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 directed ATSDR to perform specific public health activities associated with actual or potential exposures to radiological and chemical hazardous substances released to the environment. ATSDR is mandated to perform PHAs for each facility listed on or proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL). ATSDR may also conduct PHAs for a particular facility or release in response to a petition by an individual or group.

ATSDR follows a clearly defined and step-wise process to conduct PHAs. The history, current status and potential contaminants of concern (COCs) at a site are reviewed by conducting site visits; implementing a needs assessment or attending public meetings to document community health concerns; compiling demographic information; analyzing land use and natural resources in the vicinity; and examining results from a dose reconstruction study if available.

Several approaches are used to identify potential COCs at a site. Sampling data published in ATSDR’s toxicological profiles on chemicals and radionuclides are collected and evaluated. Environmental concentrations are compared to ATSDR’s health-based comparison values. Completed and potentially completed exposure pathways are identified and evaluated for potentially maximally exposed persons. Screened contaminants are assessed using site-specific scenarios for completed and potentially completed pathways to identify COCs.

Other data sources and tools are applied, such as toxic chemical release inventories, environmental fate and transport models, facility use records and research or journal articles. A weight-of-evidence approach based on applicable animal or human studies and other relevant research with health-based comparison values is used to determine potential public health implications and identify COCs. Conclusions are formulated and public health recommendations are made.

ATSDR launched an evaluation of potential adverse health effects to the public from SRS exposures because the site is on the NPL. NCEH’s SRS dose reconstruction focused on historical exposures ending in 1992, while ATSDR’s PHA focuses on current and future exposures from 1993 and thereafter. The current status of the SRS PHA is outlined as follows. DOE, Georgia and South Carolina environmental sampling data were gathered for radiological or chemical hazardous substances. Data from research, journal articles and special project reports were compiled. SRS represents the largest data set of any DOE site. To date, SRS has provided ATSDR with >7 million electronic data points for various media, chemicals and radionuclides from 1993 and thereafter.v

ATSDR has completed its review of SRS’s history since 1993 and current status of the site. The identification and review of potential COCs, completed and potentially completed exposure pathways and other potential hazards unique to SRS are underway. ATSDR expects that the major differences in its PHA versus NCEH’s dose construction will be findings from chemical exposures; earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes or other disasters with a potential impact on onsite operations and offsite releases; and site activities, such as hunting, tree cutting and burning.

ATSDR’s goal is to release the SRS PHA report in FY’06, but recognizes that drastic budget cuts for health-related research at DOE facilities may affect this timeline. However, ATSDR will immediately inform the public if significant health concerns are detected during the PHA process regardless of when the report is completed and released.

Ms. Perry suggested that public education resources be produced for SRS to compliment the PHA, such as the videotape for the Oak Ridge site. Ms. Yolonda Freeman of ATSDR confirmed that funding is available to develop a public education videotape or DVD for SRS. However, SRSHES must provide ATSDR with input on items that should be included in this tool. Suggestions can be submitted to Ms. Freeman at yvf0@cdc.gov or 404/498-0317.