| COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL FACT SHEET UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE July 2001 This fact sheet addresses community concerns about public health and environmental issues associated with the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR). Terms identified in bold are defined in the glossary. There are three basic factors that must be present or occur to cause harm from environmental contamination: a source of contamination, an exposure pathway, and a recipient. These three elements are the basis of any health risk, or ecological assessment. This fact sheet will specifically focus on exposure. For specific questions about health effects and exposure to a particular chemical contact the Environmental Public Health Center located at MMR at (508) 968-4366. HOW CAN EXPOSURE OCCUR? People, plants and animals can be exposed to pollutants by breathing, eating, drinking or through contact. There is a potential health risk only if there is a completed exposure pathway. A completed pathway occurs when the contaminant is known to travel from the source to a person, animal or plant. WHAT IS AN EXPOSURE PATHWAY? Exposure can occur only if there is a pathway for the contaminants to go from the source to the individual, animal or plant. For the MMR, the sources of the contaminants are the numerous chemical spills, fuel spills and other military activities that have occurred at several locations on the MMR base. To be exposed to contaminants from MMR, the contaminants have to travel through the soil, water, air, or food chain (or some combination thereof) to people, plants, and animals. Water: People, plants and animals may be exposed to contaminants through direct contact with, or drinking, contaminated groundwater. Contaminated groundwater may also flow into ponds, rivers, or harbors. People and animals may be exposed by direct contact with, or ingesting, the contaminated surface water, or consumption of contaminated fish. Using contaminated groundwater and surface water for irrigation can result in plants taking up the contaminants. People and animals may then be exposed by eating the contaminated plants. Soil: People and animals may be exposed to contaminants by eating or touching the contaminated soil. Plants growing in the contaminated soil may take up the contaminants through their roots; people and animals may be exposed by eating the contaminated plants. Air: People and animals may be exposed through the air by breathing or inhaling contaminants. Contaminants may travel from water to the air as a vapor if contaminated water is used for showering. Contaminated dust and airborne contaminants may be deposited on plants and in ponds and rivers. HOW ARE HEALTH EFFECTS DETERMINED? Different routes of exposure to a contaminant can result in different health concerns. The following factors and characteristics determine the type and severity of health effects that may occur as the result of exposure to contaminants:
For example, touching asbestos fibers is not likely to cause you harm, but inhaling the fibers could damage your lung tissue.
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I CAN DO TO LIMIT MY OWN EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINANTS? Avoid exposure to contaminated groundwater. If you're not
sure if your well is contaminated, have your well tested. Contact your town's health agent
for more information on the recommended tests and any necessary follow-up action (see
information on page 4). WHAT CAN I DO IF I BELIEVE I'VE BEEN EXPOSED TO CONTAMINANTS IN THE PAST? It can be difficult to determine the health effects that may occur as a result of historic exposure to contaminant(s), since exposure concentration, the frequency and/or duration of exposure, the exposure pathway and the chemical nature of the contaminants must be taken in context with the age, sex, nutritional status, genetics, life style, and health status of the exposed individual. If you believe that you have been exposed to contaminant(s), you should discuss your concerns with your physician. If you have further concerns regarding exposure or medical testing, you can contact an occupational physician who specializes in occupational exposure to hazardous materials. Contact the ATSDR for a listing of health clinics affiliated with the Association of Occupational & Environmental Clinics. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO REDUCE OR LIMIT EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINANTS FROM MMR? Under State and Federal regulations, the MMR must determine the most likely exposure pathways, and then act to reduce or eliminate that exposure. Some actions include: start-up and operation of groundwater treatment systems at Fuel Spill 12 (FS-12), Chemical Spill 10 (CS-10), and Storm Drain 5 North (SD-5 North), removing and treating contaminated soils from the Firefighter Training Area 1 (FTA-1), and installing a cap on the source area for the Landfill 1 (LF-1) plume. FOR MORE INFORMATION
exposure pathway: the route by which a contaminant
travels from the source area to reach a receptor (humans, birds, etc.) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Additional information about the cleanup program at the MMR
is available on the program's website (http://www.mmr.org).
The website includes a variety of information, including technical documents, meetings
agendas and summaries, maps, glossaries, weekly reports, and news releases. It also
includes links to other websites, including those of EPA Region 1, DEP, DPH, and ATSDR.
The Administrative Record, which is a public record of all documents used in decision-making, is available for review at the Falmouth Public Library or by contacting the IRP Office at (508) 968-4678. This fact sheet was developed through a collaborative effort of the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), Joint Program Office (JPO), and local officials.
|
