More than 60% of the homes in the site area likely
an example of an exposure investigation conducted by
ATSDR in Nebraska.
have lead-based paint. In more than 40% of the
properties tested, lead levels in at least one sample
Dakota City/South Sioux City--Beginning in
were above 400 parts per million (ppm), the U.S.
1996, citizens in Dakota City and South Sioux
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) time-
City voiced concerns that hydrogen sulfide
critical-removal action level. The mean soil lead
level for the Omaha Lead site area was 437 ppm.
health problems. In August 1996, a community
organization, Citizens Promoting Environmental
The public health assessment recommended that
Stewardship, asked ATSDR to conduct a
county, state, and federal agencies involved with
the site develop a lead-hazards plan to increase
community exposure investigation to determine
public knowledge about lead hazards, promote
whether ambient and indoor air levels of
hydrogen
primary prevention activities, and promote and
sulfide threatened their health. Residents were
facilitate yearly blood lead testing for all children
concerned about odors; respiratory problems,
6 years and younger living in or near the site. Such
including asthma; and neurologic symptoms
testing will increase the likelihood of identifying
(headache, excessive fatigue, limb pain). Since
children being exposed and will allow timely
1996, ATSDR has worked closely with staff
from other agencies such as the EPA Region 7
office, Nebraska Department of Environmental
paint and cleanup of contaminated soil.
Quality, Nebraska Department of Health
A health consultation is a written or oral response
and Human Services, Dakota County Health
from ATSDR to a specific request for information
Department, and local elected officials.
about health risks related to a specific site, chemical
release, or hazardous material. A health consultation is
To evaluate exposure, ATSDR, in collaboration
a more limited response than a public health assess-
with EPA, conducted independent hydrogen sulfide
ment. One hundred twelve health consultations have
air monitoring in six Dakota City residences and at
been conducted at 51 sites in Nebraska, including the
ambient air locations between April and June 1997.
following recent example.
As part of this investigation, Nebraska officials
identified 13
potential sources of
hydrogen
National Asbestos Exposure Review Site--The
sulfide in the community, including a large food-
Western Mineral Products Company site in
processing plant (with a tannery and a municipal
Omaha is among 28 Phase I sites in ATSDR's
sewer vent) and one of the largest meat-processing
National Asbestos Exposure Review (NAER)
plants (with a tannery and uncovered sludge
being conducted with other federal, state, and local
lagoons).
environmental and public health agencies. NAER
examines more than 200 U.S. sites that received
Air-data findings and residents' symptoms
asbestos-contaminated vermiculite ore mined in
were consistent with symptoms associated with
Libby, Montana, from the early 1920s until 1990.
hydrogen sulfide exposure. ATSDR concluded
The 28 Phase 1 sites, which received 80% of the
that indoor and outdoor levels of
hydrogen sulfide
vermiculited mined in Libby in 19641980, may
and other sulfur compounds posed a threat to
have received vermiculite from Libby during the
public health. Now that the sludge lagoons are
years the mine operated. All Phase 1 sites ceased
covered and other emission controls are in place,
processing the vermiculite by the early 1990s: this
ATSDR is again conducting ambient and indoor air
site ceased operations in 1989.
monitoring.
ATSDR is working closely with EPA and state
Health Education and Community Activities
health partners to determine whether a hazard to
As part of its ongoing outreach activities in
public health exists at any of the NAER sites.
affected communities, ATSDR proactively involves
An exposure investigation collects information about
communities in identifying their health concerns
specific human exposures through biologic sampling,
and developing actions to address them. An example
personal monitoring, related environmental assess-
of this type of involvement in Nebraska is the
ment, and exposure-dose reconstruction. Following is
health education plan for the Omaha Lead site being