Attachment 9: Dimock EI Letter of Invitation to Participate and Fact Sheet
DATE
From: Robert Helverson, MS
Region 3 Representative
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
To: ADD RECIPIENT’S ADDRESS
Re: ATSDR Dimock Drinking Water Exposure Evaluation
Mr. or Ms. NAME:
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal health agency that protects the public from contact with chemicals in the environment that could be harmful. ATSDR has received complaints by residents in your area about the quality of their private well water. In 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collected samples from 64 private water wells in Dimock, including yours, and asked the ATSDR to evaluate the EPA sampling data. Based on the health assessment and community concerns, ATSDR recommended that further drinking water and indoor air sampling be completed in the Dimock area.
As follow-up to the 2016 report, ATSDR is going to test up to 20 private water wells, supplied bulk water (if you use it), and radon and combustible gas at residences in the area during the summer of 2017. We will be testing water to see if there are water quality issues (such as salt, pH, bacteria), gases or chemicals in the water that may be a health or safety concern for people. We will also be conducting radon air tests in the homes when we conduct the water testing. Your residence has been identified as eligible for additional testing.
A fact sheet is enclosed that provides information about our plans. If you want to be included or need more information, please call me, Robert Helverson, at 215-814-3139. If I am not in, please leave a message and I will return your call.
ATSDR will be in the Dimock area in June 2017 to talk to people about the proposed testing.
Note: Creative Services will make this a polished Fact Sheet
Drinking Water and Radon Testing in Dimock, PA
ATSDR will be in Dimock, PA to conduct free testing of drinking water and indoor air.
ATSDR will
Contact you to talk about the sampling
Test your drinking water, bulk water (if you use it) and radon in indoor air in summer 2017
Who are we?
The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) – a public health agency which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Local office in Philadelphia, PA
Why is ATSDR testing drinking water and radon in Dimock?
Since 2011, residents in the area have been concerned about possible water contamination caused by natural gas drilling in the area.
In 2012, EPA sampled 64 private wells, including yours.
ATSDR looked at the water sampling results to determine whether water in the area could harm health. A report called a “health consultation (HC)” was completed by ATSDR.
The HC reported that contaminants that cause health problems were found in the water that was sampled.
The HC recommended further water testing for contaminants that might be associated with nearby natural gas well activities. We will also test for bacteria in the water.
Residents have also been concerned about radon in their homes, so ATSDR will test radon in water and indoor air.
What harmful substances may be found in drinking water?
EPA water testing in 2012 found levels of contaminants that may be harmful to your health, including
Arsenic May affect your skin and can increase the risk of cancer
Manganese May affect the nervous systems in bottle-fed infants
Sodium May be harmful to those on a low-sodium diet
Iron Affects the taste of water and may cause staining
Methane gas May be an explosive hazard if it builds up inside your home
What will ATSDR do?
Choose participants from homes that were tested by EPA in 2012 and still have problems with their well water.
Conduct free water testing of tap water and bulk water (if you use it).
Use air monitors during the water sampling since gases may build up when water is run for a long time.
Ask some questions about people’s wells and their water use.
Send the water testing results to the participants about 3 months after sample collection.
Make recommendations for reducing exposure to contaminants in water.
What will ATSDR do?
Although EPA did not test for radon in 2012, ATSDR will test radon in water and indoor air.
ATSDR staff members will
Use air monitors to detect hazardous conditions in the homes selected for water testing
Leave radon sampling devices in these homes and pick them up in three days.
What should you do now?
If you have questions, please contact Robert Helverson with the ATSDR Region 3 office at 215-814-3139 or by email at gfu6@cdc.gov.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2021-01-22 |