Additional sampling should be conducted in areas
training exercises, including live bombing in a spe-
where site workers and patrons perform their daily
cific area. The bombing exercises were conducted
duties to determine the contaminant concentra-
over an area known as the live impact area, which
tions and potential health effects associated with
is approximately 7.9 miles away from the residen-
exposures. Samples should be analyzed for metals,
tial population. In 1999, a resident of the island
volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, pesti-
asked ATSDR to determine whether hazardous
cides, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
substances were being generated by the bombing
exercises and posing a public health threat. Resi-
Exposures to the concentrations of lead and arsenic
dents and local health professionals were concerned
detected in the former battery-recycling area and
about high rates of cancer and other diseases and
the sinkhole are considered unlikely. However, ex-
the reported potential for exposure to metals and
posures to the lead concentrations detected would
vibration/noise from bombing activities.
result in adverse health effects to site workers and
patrons who may access the former battery-recy-
Three public health assessments conducted on the
cling area of the site or to people who may wander
island were released in 2003. These public health
into the sinkhole.
assessments focused on soil, fish and shellfish, and
air pathways. A fourth public health assessment, on
ATSDR classified the satellite location as a public
health hazard. Sampling data from the satellite lo-
2001. The public health assessment concluded that
cation identified elevated levels of
lead, chromium,
the drinking water was safe.
arsenic, and vanadium. Because access to
the site
is not restricted, and a residential area is directly
Soil pathway ATSDR identified two potential
Soil pathway:
across from the satellite location, ATSDR evaluated
pathways of human exposure to chemicals in the
the data with the assumption that children could be
soil of Vieques. First, Vieques residents and visitors
exposed to the contaminant concentrations de-
can contact the soil in the residential portion of the
tected. If children frequented the satellite location,
island. Second, people can contact the soil when
they could be exposed to lead at concentrations that
they enter the live impact area. ATSDR evaluated
could result in adverse health effects. Exposures to
whether incidental ingestion or dermal contact with
the vanadium and arsenic levels would not result
the soil would result in harmful health effects from
in adverse health effects. Additional sampling is
either exposure pathway. ATSDR concluded that
needed to
determine the form of
chromium identi-
soil in the residential and training areas are not pub-
fied at the satellite location because exposures to
lic health hazards.
the concentrations of chromium (if it were in the
Fish
Fish and shellfish pathway Previous studies have
pathway:
hexavalent form) could result in adverse health ef-
reported some indication of naturally occurring
fects from exposures.
heavy metals in fish and shellfish eaten by Vieques
Because of the piles of scrap metal and other
residents. These levels are neither unusual nor
items throughout the site, the site also is a physi-
harmful. Residents were concerned that this path-
cal hazard for children or adults who access the
way was harmful. Because sufficient data were
site. People could trip over and be cut by materials
not available to address those concerns, ATSDR
found throughout the site: these materials are cov-
worked with EPA's Environmental Response Team
ered by brush and are hard to see. Access to the site
to collect and analyze fish and shellfish from the
is unrestricted; although the property entrance has a
coastal waters near Vieques to determine whether
gate, it is not locked.
fish and shellfish muscle tissues contained levels
of heavy metals and explosive compounds that
EPA plans to complete soil removal, and ATSDR
would adversely affect public health. Heavy metals
will evaluate soil data as they become available.
were detected in the fish and shellfish; however, the
concentrations were too low to pose a human health
Isla de Vieques--Vieques is an island southeast of
concern. ATSDR concluded that it is safe to eat
the main island of Puerto Rico. Since the 1940s,
a variety of fish and shellfish, including the most
the U.S. Navy has owned almost two-thirds of the
commonly consumed species (snapper) every day.
island. Until 2003, the Navy conducted military