Sutherlin Valley Arsenic Study Douglas County, OR

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Sutherlin Valley Arsenic StudyDouglas County, OR

• November 20, 2008

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Environmental Health Assessment Program (EHAP)

• Mission
• To assess health impact of hazardous waste sites
  throughout Oregon
• Provide trusted health information to communities
  so they can make informed decisions about their
  health
• Identify and recommend ways harmful exposures can
  be reduced

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EHAP

• Oregon Public Health Division, Office of
  Environmental Public Health
• Funded by Agency for Toxic Substances Disease
  Registry (ATSDR)
• Interdisciplinary Team
• Health Educator
• Program Coordinator
• Toxicologist (Health Assessor)
• Epidemiologist (Health Assessor)

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Life Cycle of Site Work

• Request
• Gather information
• Evaluation of data
• Develop report
• Communicate findings
• Health education and outreach

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Sutherlin Valley Arsenic Study
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Arsenic in Oregons Groundwater

• High levels of naturally-occurring arsenic found
  in many western States
• Studies by USGS and others have found high
  arsenic levels in the Willamette Valley and other
  areas in western Oregon
• Historical studies in Douglas/Lane counties
• Particular concern for private well-owners

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Arsenic Related Health Concerns

• Increased cancer risk
• Skin, bladder, lung, kidney, prostate
• Thickening or discoloration of skin
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Disorders of the heart, lung, liver, kidney,
  immune and nervous systems
• Increased risks for diabetes and CVD
• Maternal, infant and child health concerns

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Health Standards for Arsenic

• How can people be exposed?
• Ingestion gt Inhalation gt Dermal Contact
• EPA Safe Drinking Water Standard
• Current MCL 10 ppb (ug/L) 0.01 ppm (mg/L)
• MCLG 0 ppb
• EPA is currently reviewing/revising its risk
  assessment for cancer/non-cancer health effects
  (November 30th, 2008)

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Sutherlin Valley Arsenic Study

• Request by Douglas County Health Department
  during Red Rock Road Investigation
• Collaboration between multiple programs and
  agencies
• Goals
• Collect environmental data on naturally-occurring
  arsenic levels in Sutherlin-area groundwater
• Identify public health issues and provide
  outreach/education

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Health Risks
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DHS Recommendations

• Arsenic
• If arsenic is higher than drinking water
  standards (10 ppb), use alternate water supply
  for drinking/cooking
• Follow guidelines for safe uses of your water
• Other Contaminants
• Test at least once a year for bacteria and
  nitrates
• Make sure wells and septic systems are maintained
  and cleaned, and drain fields are protected
• Limit animal activity and use of chemicals or
  pesticides in or near your well house

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Public Health Actions

• Notified well-owners with As gt 10 ppb
• Most were using bottled water/treatment system
• Confirmation sampling
• Public Meeting
• Outreach through Douglas County Health Department
• Currently preparing health consultation report

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Community Concerns

• Water quality
• Arsenic, Mercury, Iron Bacteria, Hydrogen Sulfide
• Safe uses of water
• Well testing and maintenance
• Frequency
• New homeowners/Real Estate Transactions
• Treatment Options
• Contamination from Red Rock Road

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Water Treatment Options
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Lesson Learned

• Barriers
• Lack of interest/concern
• Concerns about interference, property value, etc.
• Populations were not reaching?
• Limited resources to collect environmental data
• Public health education/outreach
• Specific/broad health education needs
• Risk communication
• Identifying opportunities
• Sampling/Laboratory Findings
• Pre/Post-treatment
• Identified other health risks (e.g., lead from
  old pipes)
• Variation in arsenic levels

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ContactSujata Joshi971-673-1213 sujata.joshi_at_
state.or.us ehap.info_at_state.or.us