ATSDR

Federal Agency seeks comments on the Red Panther Chemical Company Health Report in Clarksdale, MS

Thursday, June 08, 2017

ATLANTA, GA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is seeking public comment on a report released today. The report is regarding the residential soil contamination of the Red Panther Chemical Company National Priority List (NPL) site in Clarksdale, MS.

ATSDR evaluated the available environmental sampling data in residential yards near the site to determine whether people were exposed to hazardous substances in the soil and whether that exposure was potentially harmful. Current and past exposures to toxaphene, dieldrin, and other pesticides were evaluated.

To read the report, visit: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/RedPanther/Red_Panther_Chemical_Co_HC_(PC)_06-08-2017_508.pdf

Copies of the report can also be reviewed during regular business hours at:

Carnegie Public Library
114 Delta Avenue
Clarksdale, MS 38614

ATSDR will accept public comments on this report until July 7, 2017.

The public comment process gives residents the opportunity to review the report, ask questions, and provide their input.

Comments on the report must be made in writing and those received during the public comment period will be addressed in the final version. Comments (without the names of persons who submitted them) and ATSDR’s responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final report. Names of those who submit comments will be subject to release should requests be made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Send comments to: ATSDRRecordsCenter@cdc.gov, or mail to:

ATSDR Records Center
Attn: Rolanda Morrison
Re: Red Panther Chemical Company Site (Clarksdale, MS)
4770 Buford Highway, NE (MS F-09)
Atlanta, Georgia 30341

BACKGROUND

The Red Panther Chemical National Priorities List (NPL) site is located in Clarksdale, MS. Red Panther operated as a pesticide plant between 1949 and 1996, producing both liquid and dry herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Various pesticides were produced including, but not limited to, toxaphene, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and dieldrin. Beginning in the 1970’s, a number of actions by the company, state, and US Environmental Agency (EPA) took place in response to regulatory requirements and environmental concerns. Possible exposures in the surrounding neighborhoods were of most concern.

For more information about the report, community members can call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) and reference the Red Panther Chemical Company site or visit the ATSDR webpage to review report and fact sheet: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/HCPHA.asp?State=MS.

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ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the potential for adverse human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.

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