Public concern arose from an Ohio EPA air monitoring
criteria for eligibility for the FMMP are 2 or more
investigation and risk assessment report that indicated
continuous years of residence in the area between
the release of elevated levels of benzene, 1,3-butadiene,
the years 1952 and 1984. The eligible population
and other coke oven gases from the former New Boston
enrolled in the FMMP consists of 9,452 individuals
Coke plant to the ambient air in New Boston from 1993
[8,462 adults, 990 children].
to 1999. The Ohio EPA risk assessment estimated a
In a study conducted by the University of
potential for excess adverse health effects (primarily
Cincinnati Medical Center, with funding
cancer) in New Boston resulting from exposures to
from ATSDR, investigators determined the
these chemicals during the monitoring period in the
prevalence of nonmalignant health outcomes in
mid to late 1990s.
persons who lived near FMPC. This study used
Health Studies
FMMP participants' physical examination and
questionnaire data collected at the time of the first
Health studies are investigations conducted to deter-
medical examination on enrollment in program.
mine the relationships between exposures to hazard-
ous substances and adverse health effects. They also
Findings included indications that living within
define health problems that require further investiga-
the Fernald exposure domain in the past is related
tion through, for example, health surveillance or an
to health effects on urinary system function.
epidemiologic study. Following are examples of health
Statistically significant elevations in prevalence
studies and investigations that ATSDR conducted or
for both kidney disease and bladder disease were
supported in the state of Ohio.
present in the FMMP population. Alterations
in whole-blood components also were found in
Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis--Residents
FMMP participants. Those who had lived within
of Wellington have expressed concerns about
2 miles of the plant had increased white blood
elevated rates of multiple sclerosis (MS), a
cell counts, increased hemoglobulin levels,
neurodegenerative disease believed to be the
and decreased mean corpuscular volume. The
result of a complex combination of environmental,
subpopulation of FMMP participants who used
genetic, and autoimmune factors, and the possible
a well or cistern had increased red-blood-cell
counts and increased hematocrit. A final report was
published in August 2001.
with ODH to determine age- and sex-specific MS
prevalence rates in Lorain County. The study area
Association of Occupational and
includes a population of approximately 280,000
Environmental Clinics
people. ATSDR expects to gather information
on between 162 and 266 MS cases, of which
ATSDR provides financial and technical support
approximately 65%70% will be women. In
to members of AOEC. This support is provided to
addition to establishing background MS prevalence
improve education and communication related to
estimates, ODH will work collaboratively with
surveillance, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
of illness or injury related to exposure to hazardous
recipients to develop procedures and data collection
substances. ATSDR supports three occupational and
instruments to be used for case ascertainment and
environmental health programs in Ohio. The Lorain
case verification in future studies.
Clinic for Occupational Health and Rehabilitation
Prevalence of Adverse Health Outcomes in
and the Elyria Clinic for Occupational Medicine
Residents of the Area Surrounding the Former
and Rehabilitation provide support in northeastern
Feed Materials Processing Center at Fernald,
Ohio; the Center for Occupational Health at Holmes
Ohio--The Fernald Medical Monitoring Program
Hospital provides support in the Cincinnati area.
(FMMP), started in 1990, is a medical surveillance
service provided to persons who may have been
For more information, contact ATSDR toll-free
at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or visit the
Processing Center (FMPC)--a U.S. Department of
ATSDR Web page at www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
Energy uranium-processing plant--in Fernald. The
October 2003