ATSDR Releases New Report for Public Comment on Air Pollutants in Midlothian, TX

Ellis County, Midlothian, Texas

Friday, November 16, 2012

What

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is releasing for public comment a health consultation describing public health implications of exposures to hydrogen sulfide and National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) pollutants. NAAQS pollutants are PM_2.5, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead.

ATSDR will accept public comments on this health consultation until January 18, 2013. Comments must be made in writing. Comments (without the names of persons who submitted them) and ATSDR’s responses will appear in an appendix to the final health consultation. Names of persons who submit comments will be subject to release in answer to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

When

On December 6, 2012, at the Midlothian Conference Center from 7:00pm–8:30pm, ATSDR scientists will provide an overview of the draft health consultation and answer questions about the findings of the report. ATSDR staff also will be available from 3:30pm-5:00pm to talk with interested persons.

Where

To read this health consultation, please visit: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/midlothian. Copies are available at the A.H. Meadows Library, 921 S. 9th Street, Midlothian. They can be reviewed during regular business hours.

How

Send comments to ATSDRRecordsCenter@cdc.gov, or mail to:
ATSDR Records Center
Attn: Rolanda Morrison
Re: Midlothian NAAQS and H2S Health Consultation
4770 Buford Highway, NE (MS F-09)
Atlanta, Georgia 30341

Key Findings

ATSDR found that harmful effects are possible for certain air pollutants in the past.

• Breathing air contaminated with sulfur dioxide for short periods of time from 1997 to late 2008 could have harmed the health of sensitive persons (e.g. people with asthma, especially while exercising) but not of the general public.
• Breathing air contaminated with PM_2.5 for 1 year or more in a localized area of Cement Valley could have harmed people’s health for the years 1996 to 1998.
• Sufficient information exists to warrant concern about exposure of sensitive persons to multiple air pollutants, especially in the past while they were exercising and when sulfur dioxide levels were higher.
• Exposure to lead in air from 1993 to 1998 could have harmed the health of children who lived or frequently played in an area just north of the Gerdau Ameristeel fence line.

ATSDR found that certain air pollutants may have caused harmful effects in both the past and present.

• Short-term elevations above the PM_2.5 standards have been infrequent but could result in harmful cardiopulmonary effects, especially in sensitive persons, but not the general public.
• Breathing ozone for short periods from 1997 to the present could increase the likelihood of harmful respiratory effects, especially for active children and adults and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma.

ATSDR is uncertain about exposures to SO₂ and PM_2.5 downwind of Ash Grove and Holcim because data and information are lacking.

To reduce or prevent harmful exposures to air pollutants in Midlothian, ATSDR recommends that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality:

• Evaluate and reduce emissions and exposures, as needed, to SO₂ and PM_2.5.
• Continue efforts to reduce regional ozone exposures.

For more information about ATSDR’s work in Midlothian visit http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/midlothian/ or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

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

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Related News Releases For Ellis County, Midlothian, Texas

 

ATSDR Invites Residents to Attend Public Meeting in Midlothian, TX
Release Date: Monday, December 03, 2012
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry invites Midlothian residents to attend a public meeting on December 6, 2012 at the Midlothian Conference Center from 7:00-8:30 PM.

ATSDR Extends Public Comment Period for Midlothian, Texas Health Consultation
Release Date: Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The public comment period for the recently released Midlothian Public Health Assessment has been extended to June 29, 2012.

ATSDR Health Consultation for Midlothian Released for Public Comment
Release Date: Thursday, May 10, 2012
The air monitoring data that are available for the Midlothian area will support public health evaluations for many of the pollutants of concern, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concludes in the health consultation released today for public comment. This is the first of several health consultations that will evaluate environmental data.

Federal Agency to Hold Community Meeting and Open House about Midlothian Environmental Concerns
Release Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Scientists from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will review their Public Health Response Plan at an open house followed by a community meeting on February 22 at the Midlothian Conference Center.

Federal Agency to Hold Community Meeting about Midlothian Environmental Concerns
Release Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will conduct an informational meeting with Midlothian area residents about ATSDR’s plan to look at environmental health concerns in the area.

ATSDR to Review Environmental Health Issues in Midlothian
Release Date: Monday, July 06, 2009
Environmental health professionals will be interviewing residents of Midlothian, TX from July 13-18 to learn how people get their information, to gather community health concerns and to obtain input into the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) public health response plan. Community members will be able to provide input to professionals from ATSDR and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), as they revisit Midlothian environmental health issues.

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