ATSDR Releases Final Public Health Assessment For The Imperial Refining Company

Carter County, Ardmore, Oklahoma

Monday, January 07, 2002

What: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released the final version of its public health assessment for the Imperial Refining Company in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Based on available data and because of the limited use of the site, ATSDR determined that the site does not pose a health hazard and characterized it as "no apparent public health hazard." However, changing exposure scenarios such as residential development nearby could alter this conclusion.

The site has not been completely characterized regarding contaminant levels. As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts its remedial investigation, it will be collecting more data. If new data indicates significantly higher levels of contamination, ATSDR's conclusion may change.

Rusted drums and broken glass may pose a physical hazard to children who play on the site. Until the site is fully characterized, ATSDR recommends restricting public access. Contaminant migration from the site has not been found and is, therefore, not expected to cause adverse health effects.

Where: The public health assessment for the Imperial Refining Company site in Ardmore is available at the following repository:

Background:: Public health assessments report information about hazardous substances in the environment and evaluate whether exposure to those substances in the past, present or future could harm people in the area. They identify health studies or other activities that might be needed and make recommendations to other government agencies, such as EPA and state and local health and environmental departments, concerning actions to protect public health.

Comments received during the public comment period for the public health assessment have been logged and are now part of the administrative record for the assessment. Comments (without indication of who made them) and responses have been included in the final health assessment.

Community members seeking information on the procedure or content of the health assessment should contact ATSDR Health Assessor, Jill Dyken, toll free, at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737). Callers should refer to "The Imperial Refining Company Site" when asking to speak to a health assessor in the Division of Health Assessment and Consultation. ATSDR Regional Representative Patrick Young in Dallas also may be called for information at (214) 665-8562.

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Related News Releases For Carter County, Ardmore, Oklahoma

 

ATSDR To Hold Public Availability Session In Ardmore, Oklahoma
Release Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2001
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, or A-T-S-D-R, will hold a Public Availability Session in Ardmore, Oklahoma, on Wednesday January 24, 2001. The purpose of the session is to provide residents of Ardmore with an opportunity to discuss their health concerns related to the Imperial Refining Company site with agency representatives.

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