ADHS conducted a carbon monoxide exposure
A health consultation released in April 2003
survey among recreational boaters at Lake
evaluated the environmental data collected for
Pleasant Regional Park during the 2003 Labor
the school, examined school attendance rates, and
Day weekend.
concluded that environmental conditions at the
school pose no apparent public health hazard.
As in the Rotary Beach health consultation, ADHS
measured exhaled carbon monoxide to determine
Mountain View--In May 2003, a Scottsdale
the amount of COHb present in the blood of
resident asked ATSDR to investigate possible
individuals.
sewer gas exposures in a Scottsdale residential
neighborhood. The resident described discharges
The January 2004 health consultation for Lake
of sewer gas from manholes and a vent stack on
Pleasant concluded that no apparent health hazard
a residential rooftop in the neighborhood. The
existed at the time of the study. Seven participants
resident stated that physical illnesses in some
who were actively smoking cigarettes slightly
neighborhood residents, as well as symptoms the
exceeded the threshold for mild adverse health
resident experienced while observing the sewer
effects.
gas discharges, were similar to symptoms caused
ADHS will conduct additional biomonitoring
by exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas. In June 2003,
studies at Arizona's lakes in spring and summer
ATSDR asked ADHS to conduct an investigation
2004 to determine whether a widespread public
to determine whether sewer gas exposures were
health hazard exists because of carbon monoxide
occurring. Because no data on ambient and
exposure from motorized watercraft.
neighborhood, ADHS and the resident collaborated
Blue Ridge Elementary School--The U.S.
in conducting an air monitoring investigation.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked
ADHS to evaluate environmental conditions at
consultation for the site.
the Blue Ridge Elementary School in Lakeside.
EPA had received a request for assistance
The health consultation, released in January 2004,
from community members concerned about
concluded that levels of explosive gases and
environmental conditions at the school.
physical hazards and serious health effects (e.g.,
The Blue Ridge Elementary School began
bronchial restriction in people who have asthma).
receiving complaints from parents and staff in
Therefore, the site was classified as no apparent
1996. Primary complaints were related to air
public health hazard.
quality problems associated with renovation
activities. Spurred by ADHS/ATSDR
Health Education and Community Activities
recommendations, in 1997 the school implemented
improvements to the air ventilation and duct
agreement program since 1994. Under this program,
systems and to dust control, and made repairs to a
ADHS has received funding and technical assistance
diesel-fired pump in a furnace room. The school
to develop community education and activities
also repaired the air ventilation and duct systems,
associated with human exposure to hazardous
enhanced janitorial services, made necessary
substances in the environment.
repairs to the furnace room, and installed a
smokestack to vent fumes from the diesel-fired
During summer 2002, ADHS and ATSDR collaborated
pump.
to provide residents and communities impacted by
the Rodeo/Chediski fire with timely and accurate
A group of parents continued to express concerns
information about public health issues associated
about environmental conditions at the school. This
with the massive fire. Health advisories addressing
group suggested that environmental exposures
smoke as well as health issues and hazards associated
might be causing student absences from school.
with reentry, retardants, fire fighting, and cleanup
In response to these complaints, a follow-up
were issued on an ongoing basis. In July 2002, an
environmental assessment was conducted in
assessment was conducted on health effects involving
December 2002.
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