about health risks related to a specific site, chemical
toluene, and xylenes. ATSDR concluded that
release, or hazardous material. It is a more limited
exposures in the community are not at levels
response than a public health assessment is. To
expected to cause adverse health effects;
date, 27 documented health consultations have been
therefore, the site does not pose a public health
conducted in Vermont. Following is an example of a
hazard. The site was categorized as no apparent
public health hazard because exposure is still
site at which several health consultations have been
conducted:
possible.
Pine Street Canal--This site in Burlington
CHER-CAP Exercise in Rutland
consists of the Pine Street Canal, a turning basin,
an adjacent wetland, an area formerly known
ATSDR Region I is working with the U.S.
as Maltex Pond, and an additional portion of
Department of Homeland Security/Federal
land. A coal gasification plant operated at the
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on
site from 1908 until 1966. Plant wastewaters
an emergency preparedness mass-casualty field
and residual oil and wood chips saturated with
exercise called CHER-CAP. CHER-CAP is FEMA's
organic compounds associated with coal tar
Comprehensive HazMat Emergency Response-
were discharged directly into, or disposed of
Capability Assessment Program. The exercise in
into, the Pine Street Canal wetland. Vermont
Rutland is in the initial phase of planning. The
state officials detected high levels of these
actual field exercise is likely to occur by the end of
compounds at several locations. State public
2003. Until that time, the local emergency planning
health officials were concerned that proposed
agencies along with federal agencies (ATSDR, EPA,
highway construction would release the
FEMA, and the Occupational Safety and Health
compounds into the canal and possibly into
Administration) are collaborating on training and
Lake Champlain, Burlington's drinking water
planning programs.
source. ATSDR conducted a preliminary health
Resource Materials
assessment in 1988; health consultations in
October 1991, August 1992, and October 1992;
ATSDR develops materials that public health profes-
and two health consultations in July 1994.
sionals and medical care providers can use to assess
The health consultation in 1991 indicated no
the public health impacts of chemical exposures.
health hazard. The health consultations in 1992
Resources are available in print, on the ATSDR Web
indicated a potential health hazard due to coal
site, and on CD-ROM. For example, medical man-
tar exposure at the site and recommended that
agement guidelines are available for acute chemi-
site access be restricted. ATSDR conducted the
cal exposures to more than 40 chemicals. ATSDR's
two consultations in 1994 on the general human
toxicological profiles comprehensively describe
health effects; pathways of human exposure; and the
site and as a result of air sampling results in the
behavior of more than 250 hazardous substances in
area.
air, soil, and water at hazardous waste sites. Since fis-
Exposure Investigations
cal year 2002, more than 6,000 of these profiles have
been sent to requesters, including representatives of
An exposure investigation collects information on
federal, state, and local health and environmental de-
specific human exposures through biologic sampling,
partments; academic institutions; private industries;
personal monitoring, related environmental assess-
and nonprofit organizations in Vermont. ATSDR has
ment, and exposure-dose reconstruction. Since 1994,
also developed extensive resources for community
ATSDR has conducted one exposure investigation in
members.
Vermont, as follows:
Lakeside Community--The purpose of this
2001 exposure investigation in the Lakeside
For more information, contact ATSDR toll-free
community near Burlington was to measure
at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or visit the
VOCs in the community's air. The VOCs of
ATSDR Web page at www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
specific interest were benzene, ethyl benzene,
June 2003
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