scheduled for release after this public health
phase of the EPA investigation. In addition, GDPH
assessment.
continues to provide health education to residents
about lead exposure, including ways to reduce
ATSDR recommends further evaluation of
and eliminate exposure to lead in soil and other
air quality in the general area of Brunswick,
sources.
particularly with respect to potential carcinogens
and respiratory irritants.
GDPH concluded that this site poses a past
and current public health hazard to children
A health consultation is a written or oral response
because evidence exists that exposures to lead-
from ATSDR to a specific request for information
contaminated soil have occurred, are occurring,
about health risks related to a specific site, chemical
and are likely to occur until remediation is
release, or hazardous material. A health consultation is
a more limited response than a public health assess-
soil has not been determined; additional sampling
ment is. To date, 131 documented health consultations
is needed to determine the number of residences
have been conducted at 70 sites in Georgia, including
affected. Removal of lead-contaminated soil is a
the following recent example.
prudent public health action and will eliminate a
Northside Drive Area Lead Investigation--The
future exposure pathway. In fall 2003, EPA began
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
ongoing removal that will eliminate the potential
asked the Georgia Division of Public Health
for future exposure to lead-contaminated soil in the
area.
recipient, to review soil-sampling data to
An exposure investigation collects information about
determine whether lead concentrations measured
specific human exposures through biologic sampling,
in soil posed a health hazard to residents living
personal monitoring, related environmental assess-
in specific neighborhoods near Northside Drive
ment, and exposure-dose reconstruction. Following is
in Atlanta. GDPH also was asked to provide
an example of an exposure investigation conducted in
health education to residents about potential health
Georgia.
effects of exposure to lead in soil, including testing
Newtown Community--The purpose of this
blood lead levels of children and ways to reduce
and eliminate exposure to lead in soil and other
exposure investigation released in October
sources.
2000 was to determine whether residents of the
Newtown community in Gainesville are being
In 2001, EPA began to investigate the levels of lead
exposed to airborne volatile organic compounds
in residential yards within an approximate 1-mile
(VOCs) at levels of public health concern and
radius of two facilities that have been a source of
whether the soils of the Newtown public park
contain heavy metals at levels of public health
neighborhoods since 1901. Lead levels found
concern.
in soil in some yards were elevated. However,
additional sampling needs to be conducted to
Newtown is a residential area in a highly
characterize the full extent of contamination.
industrialized section in southeastern Gainesville.
Most homes in the area have substantial ground
Within 3 miles of the community are 14 facilities
cover that would minimize the potential for direct
required to report to the EPA Toxic Release
exposure to contaminated soil; however, repeated
Inventory (TRI), and 56 businesses that are
exposure to lead-contaminated soil and from other
regulated by EPA because they handle, store, or
sources could result in higher exposures than what
use hazardous materials. TRI data reveal that
is considered safe.
several tons of VOCs are released into the air near
the Newtown community.
As a result, EPA began excavating contaminated
soil from the area in November 2003. GDPH
ATSDR accepted a petition for a public health
coordinated a blood lead testing program for
assessment at this site. To assist with the public
children in the area, and no elevated blood lead
health assessment, ATSDR conducted an exposure
levels have been reported. Blood testing will
investigation in the community for VOCs in the air
continue to be offered during the remediation
and metals in the soil of the park.
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