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Contacts: Pete Genzer, (631) 344-3174 or Mona S. Rowe, (631) 344-5056

Note: The following is a release issued by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

ATSDR Public Health Assessment Reports Brookhaven National Laboratory Contaminants Are No Health Hazard

Public Comment Period through November 15, 2005

October 7, 2005

ATLANTA - A report released today for public comment by the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) says that off-site contaminants from the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on Long Island, N.Y., are at levels too low to cause illnesses.

ATSDR scientists examined data about possible contamination to off-site soil, groundwater, air, surface water, and plants and animals. BNL is located in Upton and owned by the U.S. Department of Energy.

In a report called a public health assessment, ATSDR scientists conclude:

• No health hazard exists in off-site soil
• Some off-site groundwater is contaminated but not at levels expected to cause health effects
• There were air releases but not at levels expected to cause health effects
• Some surface water and sediment is contaminated but not at levels expected to cause health effects, and
• Some plants and animals are contaminated but not at levels expected to cause health effects

The public health assessment will be available for public review and comment through Nov. 15, 2005. The report can also be reviewed by October 10 at the following locations or online at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/PHA/Region_2.html#brookhavenpc093005

Longwood Public Library 800 Middle Country Road Middle Island, N.Y. Phone: (631) 924-6400

Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library 407 William Floyd Parkway Shirley, N.Y. Phone: (631) 399-1511

Brookhaven National Laboratory Research Library Technical Information Division, Building 477A Upton, N.Y. Phone: (631) 344-3483 (Visitors should call ahead to make an appointment and must bring photo identification)

Comments must be made in writing to:

Chief, Records Management Activity ATSDR (Brookhaven National Laboratory) 1600 Clifton Road, N.E. (MS E-60) Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to the ATSDR administrative record for this public health assessment. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final public health assessment. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members may contact Environmental Health Scientist Andrew Dudley or Community Involvement Specialist Loretta Bush, toll-free, at 1-888-422-8737. ATSDR Senior Regional Representative Arthur Block also may be contacted at 212-637-4307.

ATSDR, a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects from exposure to hazardous substances.

Number: 05-X17  |  BNL Media & Communications Office

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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