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ARSENIC Contamination at Superior, Montana

ARSENIC Contamination at Superior, Montana. Pamela M. Barrett PhD Student Walden University PUBH 8165-1 Instructor: Dr. Raymond Thron Winter 2010. Learning Objectives. Characteristics of Arsenic. Organic – a form of arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen.

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ARSENIC Contamination at Superior, Montana

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  1. ARSENICContamination at Superior, Montana Pamela M. Barrett PhD Student Walden University PUBH 8165-1 Instructor: Dr. Raymond Thron Winter 2010

  2. Learning Objectives

  3. Characteristics of Arsenic • Organic–a form of arsenic combined with carbon and hydrogen. • Inorganic– a form of arsenic combined with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. • Naturally occurring • Anthropogenic (man-made) • Chemistry and Environmental Conditions Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2010). FLAT CREEK IMM. (AKA SUPERIOR WASTE ROCK). SUPERIOR, MINERAL COUNTY, MONTANA Friday, January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/.../FlatCreekIMM2010/FlatCreekIMM1-6-2010.pdf Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2007). Toxic substances portal – Arsenic public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3 Navas-Acien, A., Umans, J., Howard, B., Goessler, W., Francesconi, K., Crainiceanu, C., … Guallar, E. (2009). Research: Urine arsenic concentrations and species excretion patterns in American Indian communities over a 10-year period: The strong heart study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(9), 1428-1433. doi:10.1289/ehp.0800509 Tiemann, M. (2008). Arsenic in drinking water: Regulatory development and issues. Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress. Order Code RS20672. Updated July 1, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2011 from http://ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/08Aug/RS20672.pdf

  4. Background: Arsenic at Superior, Montana Why Superfund? • EPA: Evaluation and Assessment • Criteria: National Priorities List (NPL) • Source: Tailings (mine wastes) from the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine Site (IMM) • Source Location: EPA Region 8: Flat Creek Valley north of Superior, Montana Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2010). ATSDR press room: Final report published for Flat Creek IMM site. Mineral County, Superior, Montana Friday, January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/news/displaynews.asp?PRid=2465 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2010). Public health assessment for Flat Creek IMM Site (a/k/a Superior Waste Rock) Superior, Mineral County, Montana. EPA Facility ID: MT0012694970, January 6, 2010. Retrieved from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/FlatCreekIMM2010/FlatCreekIMM1-6-2010.pdf United States Environmental Protection Agency.(2009).HRSDocumentationRecord. Flat CreekIMM. MT0012694970. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfunhtd/mt/flatcreekimm/FlatCreekIMMHRSDocRecordMarch2009Final.pdf

  5. Exposure Pathways Human Risk of Arsenic Exposure • Drinking water contaminated with arsenic • Inhalation of air containing arsenic • Eating food contaminated with arsenic • Living in areas with high natural levels of arsenic ex:/Superior, Montana • Occupations working with arsenic http://www.dartmouth.edu/~toxmetal/metals/questions/arsenic.html http://outdoorbaby.net/camping/digging-for-worms www.consumerreports.org/.../food/food...food/...food.../chicken-arsenic-and- antibiotics/ - http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/arsenic-toxicity Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2007).Toxic substances portal-public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011,fromhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3 • The World Health Organization (2011). Media center: Arsenic in drinking water. Fact Sheet #210. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs210/en/

  6. Human Health Impacts How Arsenic is Distributed in Human Body • Acute- Immediate response • Chronic- Long term response to exposure • Organic arsenic- Less harmful than exposure to inorganic arsenic • Inorganicarsenic-Known human carcinogen (cancer) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.(2007). Toxic substances portal - Arsenic public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011, fromhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3 Hysong, T., Burgess, J., Cebrian-Garcia, M., & O’Rourke, M. (2003). Original research: House dust and inorganic urinary arsenic in two Arizona mining towns. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology,13, 211–218. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500272 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Basic information about arsenic in drinking water. Retrieved January 27, 2011 from http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/arsenic.cfm United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Integrated Risk Information System. Arsenic, inorganic (CASRN 7440-38-2). Retrieved January 17, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0278.htm

  7. Human Health Impacts http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSAREGTOPWATRES/Images/Arsenic-2-hands.jpg http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/arsenic/physiologic_effects.html Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.(2007). Toxic substances portal - Arsenic public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011, fromhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3 • The World Health Organization (2011). Media center: Arsenic in drinking water. Fact Sheet #210. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs210/en/

  8. Medical Testing for Human Body Measuring arsenic blood, urine, hair, and fingernails • Urine test • reliable at short term exposure. • Fingernails • best at six to twelve month period of exposure at high levels. • ATSDR exposure investigation Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.(2007). Toxic substances portal - Arsenic public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011, fromhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3 Crosby, S. (2011, January 12). Groups meet to review cleanup. Retrieved from http://www.vp-mi.com/mi_county/mi_news/article_7be028be-1e99-11e0-97e6-001cc4c03286.html Hysong, T., Burgess, J., Cebrian-Garcia, M., & O’Rourke, M. (2003). Original research: House dust and inorganic urinary arsenic in two Arizona mining towns. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology,13, 211–218. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500272

  9. Removal Techniques Federal Superfund Cleanup Program Future Activities in 2011 • Similar to past history • Overview of program • Shallow soil sampling • Roadbed sampling • Data validation and Reporting • ATSDR public health assessment • Local contracting • Community involvement • Cleanup project Community Involvement Plan. (2010, April). Prepared by US EPA Montana Office. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/mt/flatcreekimm/ Elliot, S. & Opper, R. (2009),Montana’s Official State Website. Governor Brian Schweitzer. News release: End of ASARCO bankruptcy settlement brings millions to Montana. Retrieved from http://governor.mt.gov/news/pr.asp?ID=749 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2003). Five-year review process in the Superfund Program. Retrieved from www.epa.gov/superfund/cleanup/.../fiveyearreviewfactsheet.pdf

  10. Legislation and Governmental Standards Laws and Regulations Protect Public Health Most Important to YOU…..Some Environmental Laws • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) known as Superfund. 1980 Purpose: Cleanup of hazardous waste sites. • SARA-Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986. Purpose: Establish enforcement authorities –statutory requirements. • Clean Air Act (CAA). 1970. Purpose: Implement air controls and abatement . Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2007). Toxic substances portal-public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3

  11. Legislation…cont. • Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). 1974. Purpose: Regulates discharge of pollutants to surface waters. • Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act. 1986. Purpose: Empowers citizens and local officials. • Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. Purpose: Source reduction. U. S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Environmental laws: Environment and public works compilations. Retrieved from http://epw.senate.gov/environmental_laws.htm

  12. Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine and Mill Site Where do we go from here…….. www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/.../flatcreekimm/FSFlatCreekfinal030909pdf Seep at head of tailings pile in Hall Gulch at Iron Mountain Mine and Mill United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Proposing the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine Site for Superfund cleanup. Fact sheet. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/.../flatcreekimm/FSFlatCreekfinal030909pdf

  13. Questions and Comments Thank you for you undivided attention! • Presentation Handouts to Everyone. • Additional copies will be provided at the Superior City Hall. Anytime you have additional questions that you can think of after this session, please feel free to contact me. I will further provide you with additional information and/or additional contacts and resources that may help address you specific concerns. pmbrett1@gmail.com or (406) 552-3031 • Local Resources: Archives of events and recent updates • Mineral Country Public Library • City Hall, Superior, Montana • News Media: Newspaper-Clark Fork Valley Press - Mineral Independent Crosby, S. (2011, January 12). Groups meet to review cleanup. Retrieved from http://www.vp-mi.com/mi_county/mi_news/article_7be028be-1e99-11e0-97e6-001cc4c03286.html Crosby, S. (2010, September 9). Senator Tester meets with EPA on Superior cleanup. Retrieved from http://www.vp-mi.com/mi_county/mi_news/article_b440fe08-bc2a-11df-9090001cc4c002e0.html?mode=print

  14. Great Resources Be Well Informed… • More on Arsenic. American Cancer Society. (2011). Arsenic. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/IntheWorkplace/arsenic?sitearea=ped • Good information on Superfund cleanup process. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2003). Five-year review process in the Superfund Program. Retrieved from www.epa.gov/superfund/cleanup/.../fiveyearreviewfactsheet.pdf • What Superfund is all about. U. S. Department of Energy . (2011). Office of Health, Safety and Security: CERCLA orientation and RI/FS (#116): Module 1.: Introduction to the Superfund Program. Retrieved from www.hss.doe.gov/nuclearsafety/env/training/cercla116/module01notes.pdf U.S. Department of Energy   1000 Independence Avenue, SW ,Washington, DC 20585.   1.800.dial.DOE

  15. Important Local Contacts US Environmental Protection Agency US Forest Service Bob Wintergurst, OSC Leslie Sims, Remedial Project Manager (406) 329-3036 (406) 457-5032 r.wintergerst@fs.fed.us sims.leslie@epa.gov Diana Hammer, Community Involvement MT Dept of Public Health & Environmental Services (406) 457-5040 Division of Public Safety and Health Toll-free: 1-866-457-2690 Steve Helgerson, Chief Medical Officer hammer.diana@epa.gov (406) 444-1286 mspence@state.mt.us Montana Department of Environmental Quality Daryl Reed, DEQ , Project Officer (406) 841-5041 Agency for Toxic Substance Disease Review dreed@mt.gov Montana Office   Dan Strausbaugh, ATSDR Montana Representative MT Dept of Public Health & Environmental Services (406) 457-5007 Division of Public Safety and Health strausbaugh.dan@epa.gov Steve Helgerson, Chief Medical Officer (406) 444-1286 mspence@state.mt.us Health Department Peggy Stevens, Director 9406)822-3564 mchd@montana.com  Flat Creek Web Site http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/mt/flatcreekimmF

  16. Additional Contacts For more information, contact:Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-62Atlanta, GA 30333 Phone: 1-800-CDC-INFO · 888-232-6348 (TTY)Fax: 1-770-488-4178 Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. Information line and technical assistance:Phone: 888-422-8737 FAX: (770)-488-4178 To order toxicological profiles, contact:National Technical Information Service5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Phone: 800-553-6847 or 703-605-6000 Superfund Repositories United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Superfund Program. Flat Creek Imm (Flat Creek Iron Mountain Mine and Mill). Site status and updates. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/mt/flatcreekimm/ Information Repositories: Mineral County CourthouseEnvironmental Health and Planning300 River StreetSuperior, MT 59872(406) 822-3577 EPA Montana OfficeSuperfund Records Center10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200Helena, MT 59626(406) 457-5046Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

  17. References Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2010). Public health assessment for Flat Creek IMM Site (a/k/a Superior Waste Rock) Superior, Mineral County, Montana. EPA Facility ID: MT0012694970, January 6, 2010. Retrieved from www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/FlatCreekIMM2010/FlatCreekIMM1-6-2010.pdf Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2010). ATSDR press room: Final report published for Flat Creek IMM site. Mineral County, Superior, Montana Friday, January 22, 2010. Retrieved January 15, 2011, fromhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/news/displaynews.asp?PRid=2465 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2007). Toxic substances portal –public health statement for arsenic. Retrieved January 15, 2011, from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/PHS/PHS.asp?id=18&tid=3 Community Involvement Plan. (2010, April). Prepared by US EPA Montana Office. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/mt/flatcreekimm/ Crosby, S. (2011, January 12). Groups meet to review cleanup. Retrieved from http://www.vp-mi.com/mi_county/mi_news/article_7be028be-1e99-11e0-97e6-001cc4c03286.html

  18. References cont. Crosby, S. (2010, September 9). Senator Tester meets with EPA on Superior cleanup. Retrieved from http://www.vp-mi.com/mi_county/mi_news/article_b440fe08-bc2a-11df-9090001cc4c002e0.html?mode=print Elliot, S. & Opper, R. (2009),Montana’s Official State Website. Governor Brian Schweitzer. News release: End of ASARCO bankruptcy settlement brings millions to Montana. Retrieved from http://governor.mt.gov/news/pr.asp?ID=749 EXTONET: Extension Toxicology Network. (1993, September).Toxicology information briefs. Retrieved from http://extoxnet.orst.edu/tibs/partperm.htm Hysong, T., Burgess, J., Cebrian-Garcia, M., & O’Rourke, M. (2003). Original research: House dust and inorganic urinary arsenic in two Arizona mining towns. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology,13, 211–218. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500272 Navas-Acien, A., Umans, J., Howard, B., Goessler, W., Francesconi, K., Crainiceanu, C., … Guallar, E. (2009). Research: Urine arsenic concentrations and species excretion patterns in American Indian communities over a 10-year period: The strong heart study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 117(9), 1428-1433. doi:10.1289/ehp.0800509

  19. References cont. Tiemann, M. (2008). Arsenic in drinking water: Regulatory development and issues. Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report for Congress. Order Code RS20672. Updated July 1, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2011 from http://ncseonline.org/NLE/CRSreports/08Aug/RS20672.pdf United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Basic information about arsenic in drinking water. Retrieved January 27, 2011 from http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/basicinformation/arsenic.cfm United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2003). Five-year review process in the Superfund Program. Retrieved from www.epa.gov/superfund/cleanup/.../fiveyearreviewfactsheet.pdf United States Environmental Protection Agency.(2009).HRSDocumentationRecord. March 2009. Flat CreekIMM. MT0012694970. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfunhtd/mt/flatcreekimm/FlatCreekIMMHRSDocRecordMarch2009Final.pdf United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Integrated Risk Information System. Arsenic, inorganic (CASRN 7440-38-2). Retrieved January 17, 2011, from http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0278.htm

  20. References cont. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Proposing the Flat Creek/Iron Mountain Mine Site for Superfund cleanup. Fact sheet. Retrieved January 19, 2011, from www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/.../flatcreekimm/FSFlatCreekfinal030909pdf United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Environmental laws: Environment and public works compilations. Retrieved from http://epw.senate.gov/environmental_laws.htm World Health Organization (2011). Media center: Arsenic in drinking water. Fact Sheet#210. Retrieved January 16, 2011, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs210/en/

  21. Appendix COMPARISONS AND CONVERSIONS The health effects of any toxic substance are related to the amount of exposure, also known as the dose. The greater the dose the more severe the effects. Some chemicals can cause toxicity at very low doses and so it is important to be able to understand how these very small amounts are described. It is especially important to understand how low doses compare to one another and what they represent when compared to amounts of more familiar substances. Parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), and parts per trillion (ppt), are the most commonly used terms to describe very small amounts of contaminants in our environment. But what do these terms represent? They are measures of concentration, the amount of one material in a larger amount of another material; for example, the weight of a toxic chemical in a certain weight of food. They are expressed as concentrations rather than total amounts so we can easily compare a variety of different environmental situations. Sometimes, instead of using the part per ... terminology, concentrations are reported in weight units; such as the weight of the impurity compared to the weight of the total. The metric system is the most convenient way to express this since metric units go by steps of ten, hundred and thousand. For example, a milligram is a thousandth of a gram and a gram is a thousandth of a kilogram. Thus, a milligram is a thousandth of a thousandth, or a millionth of a kilogram. A milligram is one part per million of a kilogram thus, one part per million (ppm) is the same as one milligram per kilogram. Just as part per million is abbreviated as ppm, a milligram per kilogram has its own abbreviation -- mg/kg. Using our abbreviations, one ppm equals one mg/kg. Kilograms and milligrams are units of weight so they don't apply to volumes of liquids or gases. Instead of a kilogram, the unit of liquid volume most commonly used is the liter. A liter of water weighs one kilogram. If the contaminant is a solid, it is measured in milligrams. Thus, one part per million of a solid in a liquid can be written as a milligram per liter and abbreviated mg/l. These are the most common units that are encountered. However, with the ability to detect even smaller amounts of contaminants, the terms part per billion and part per trillion are becoming more common. In the metric weight system, a microgram is a thousandth of a milligram. Since a milligram is a millionth of a kilogram, and the microgram is a thousand times smaller, it is equivalent to a billionth of a kilogram. Microgram is abbreviated ug. Thus, a part per billion of solid measure is equal to a ug/kg. Similarly, a part per billion of a solid in a liquid is equal to a ug/l. Before going on to discuss a real example of how these measurements are used, we can compare metric weight quantities to the quantities we are most accustomed to using. A kilogram is equal to about two pounds. Thus, a milligram is less than a millionth of a pound. Looked at another way, it would take about five thousand milligrams (5000 mg) to make up one teaspoonful of a solid (such as salt). The unit of liquid volume, the liter, is very close to a quart. Thus, a milligram per liter is about the same as a milligram per quart. CONCLUSION The ability to measure concentrations of chemicals in a uniform manner provides a powerful tool for the comparison of water quality from area to area, for the establishment of water quality guidelines or a comparison of doses of chemicals as are commonly found throughout the Pesticide Information Profiles. The use of the metric system provides an easy way to utilize both liquid and solid measurements. METRIC SYSTEM QUANTITIES For Solids1 kilogram (kg) = 1 million milligrams (mg)so: 1 mg/kg = 1 part per million1 kilogram (kg) = 1 billion micrograms (ug)so: 1 ug/kg = 1 part per billionFor Liquids1 liter (1) of water weighs exactly 1 kgso: 1 mg/l = 1 part per million and1 ug/l = 1 part per billion1 kg = about 2.2 pounds1 l = about 1 quart EXTONET: Extension Toxicology Network. (1993,September).Toxicology information briefs. Retrieved from http://extoxnet.orst.edu/tibs/partperm.htm

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