Make a Comment to EPA on Exposure Determinants!
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January 3, Terrie Boguski, a Senior Technical Advisor for EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) program, presented an explanation of EPA’s estimates regarding potential exposure to contaminants found in Operable Unit 5 (OU5) of the Tar Creek Superfund site.
The TASC program provides independent assistance through an EPA contract to help communities better understand the science, regulations and policies of environmental issues and EPA actions. The LEAD Agency is coordinating TASC assistance for community members affected by the Tar Creek Superfund site.
OU5 includes sediments and surface water in perennially flowing creeks, streams and rivers within the Oklahoma portion of the Tri-State Mining District. Site-impacted waters in OU5 are Elm Creek, Tar Creek (including Lytle Creek), the Neosho River, Beaver Creek, Lost Creek and the Lower Spring River (portion of Spring River downstream of Empire Lake in Kansas and ending at the headwaters of Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees).
EPA is accepting comments on OU5 exposures until January 17.
This is not a formal comment period required by Superfund law, and it is not a survey to gather information. It is an opportunity for people to understand EPA’s exposure estimates that will be used to calculate possible human health risk, which will contribute information for making cleanup decisions.
EPA is determining exposures for consumption of fish, other animals, and plants from OU5. EPA is also estimating the number of days and hours people may come into contact with OU5 sediments, surface waters and mine discharge waters. Exposure determinations are based on available statistics, various scientific studies, and limited local information. To learn more, please read the TASC fact sheet and presentation handout in the above links.
The TASC program provides independent assistance through an EPA contract to help communities better understand the science, regulations and policies of environmental issues and EPA actions. The LEAD Agency is coordinating TASC assistance for community members affected by the Tar Creek Superfund site.
OU5 includes sediments and surface water in perennially flowing creeks, streams and rivers within the Oklahoma portion of the Tri-State Mining District. Site-impacted waters in OU5 are Elm Creek, Tar Creek (including Lytle Creek), the Neosho River, Beaver Creek, Lost Creek and the Lower Spring River (portion of Spring River downstream of Empire Lake in Kansas and ending at the headwaters of Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees).
EPA is accepting comments on OU5 exposures until January 17.
This is not a formal comment period required by Superfund law, and it is not a survey to gather information. It is an opportunity for people to understand EPA’s exposure estimates that will be used to calculate possible human health risk, which will contribute information for making cleanup decisions.
EPA is determining exposures for consumption of fish, other animals, and plants from OU5. EPA is also estimating the number of days and hours people may come into contact with OU5 sediments, surface waters and mine discharge waters. Exposure determinations are based on available statistics, various scientific studies, and limited local information. To learn more, please read the TASC fact sheet and presentation handout in the above links.