August 2003, focused on health concerns that
protective public health recommendations. A series
could arise from exposure to soils at the St. Regis
of smaller meetings to assess and document health
NPL site. The health consultation is based largely
concerns have been held. MDH also met with the local
on EPA's October 2001 soil
Indian Health Service clinic
samples.
staff and with staff at a private
clinic to discuss site history,
The purpose of the health
dioxin toxicity and exposures,
consultation was to assess
and patient concerns. MDH is
any current or future impact
collaborating with the Universi-
on the public's health,
ty of Minnesota and the Leech
develop appropriate health-
Lake Band of Ojibwe to build
based recommendations,
capacity in the community to
and identify further
address problems posed by the
study or action needed to
presence of the Superfund site.
evaluate or prevent human
Health Studies
health effects from soil
exposures. Additional
Health studies are investiga-
Bare soil with toys and cup, St. Regis
health consultations on
tions to determine the relations
other environmental media, site in Cass Lake.
between exposures to hazardous
including water, sediment,
substances and adverse health effects. Health stud-
and fish, are being planned. These additional health
ies also define health problems that require further
consultations will be released for public comment
investigation through, for example, health surveillance
as they become available.
or an epidemiologic study. Following are examples of
health studies or investigations that ATSDR conducted
Health Education and Community Activities
or supported in Minnesota.
Exposure to Tremolite Asbestos in Vermiculite
agreement program since 1987. Under this program,
Ore: Site-Specific Health Activities--In 2001,
MDH has received funding and technical assistance
MDH, with funding from ATSDR, initiated a
for the development of community education and ac-
population survey to identify and characterize
tivities associated with human exposure to hazardous
asbestos exposure in the area of the Western
substances in the environment.
Mineral Products site in Minneapolis. The study
Many health education activities for community
involves a door-to-door interview and visual
members and health care professionals were conducted
inspection of properties followed by a telephone
in relation to asbestos exposures from activities at the
interview of former residents and others who may
Western Minerals site in northeast Minneapolis. On a
have been exposed to vermiculite ore from Libby,
community level, MDH hosted an educational public
Montana. The project may involve as many as
meeting featuring information about exposure path-
6,000 current residents; former residents, workers,
ways and health promotion for exposed people. Health
and family members; and self-referred participants.
care professional education was provided through a
MDH is writing a report on interview results to
continuing medical education program and clinic pre-
prepare for a follow-up health study of the cohort.
sentations in the Northeast Minneapolis Community
Hazardous Substances Emergency Events
Vermiculite Investigation health study area.
Surveillance System (HSEES)--ATSDR
Residents living near the St. Regis site in Cass
established HSEES in 1990 to collect and analyze
Lake received joint letters from MDH, ATSDR, and
information about releases of hazardous substances
the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe interpreting soil
that need to be cleaned up or neutralized according
sample results, a map identifying hazard areas, and
to federal, state, or local law and about threatened
advice for reducing contact with contaminated soil.
releases that result in a public health action, such
In conjunction with the August 2003 release of the
as evacuation. The goal of HSEES is to reduce
public comment draft health consultation for this site,
the morbidity and mortality of first responders,
employees, and the general public from hazardous
Previous Page
