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April 22, 2003 Contact: Bonnie Widerburg (503) 731-4180 Technical contact: Janice Panichello, M.P.A. (503) 731-4025 DHS releases report on health risk at North Ridge Estates, public comment requested The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) invites public comment to its newly released report on health risk associated with asbestos materials at the North Ridge Estates residential subdivision north of Klamath Falls. "Our assessment finds that North Ridge Estates is a past and present public health hazard," said Janice Panichello, health assessor in DHS. "Asbestos-containing material is in the soil and scattered over the site, affecting at least 50 acres. Exposure to asbestos is a known hazard, because microscopic fibers can be trapped in the lungs. Asbestos has been associated with lung cancer and other diseases of the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs."Comment may be sent to federal officials, and interested persons may also attend a public meeting on May 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Oregon State University Extension Office, 3328 Vandenberg Road, Klamath Falls. The subdivision, which is home to about 63 residents, was once the site of a 80-building military barracks. Subsequent demolition of the barracks resulted in the creation of large amounts of asbestos-containing waste materials, which were disposed of on the site. In 2002, more than 49 tons of these fragments were removed from the surface of 30 lots in the subdivision, according to Panichello. "In spite of that clean-up, asbestos-containing fragments continue to be found on the ground throughout the subdivision," Panichello said. "We have also identified underground asbestos-insulated piping and at least five asbestos-material disposal sites, but we don’t have enough information to determine the potential hazard they pose. Additionally, there are existing and potential physical hazards, such as large open pipes in the ground and pieces of rebar in various location." Report recommendations are:  Sample
the soil for asbestos and lead Monitor
outdoor and indoor air, particularly during dry and windy conditions Identify
the extent and location of asbestos-containing fragments Determine
the locations, size and depth of disposal sites for asbestos-containing material Determine
the underground locations of asbestos-insulated piping Remedy
physical hazards Follow-up
with another public health assessmentDHS evaluated health risks at the site at the request of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and will continue to assist in addressing the asbestos issues at North Ridge Estates, Panichello said. The assessment was conducted by the DHS Superfund Health Investigation and Education program, with assistance from the federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. It is available on the Web at www.healthoregon.org/superfund or at the Klamath Falls Public Library at 126 S. Third St. in Klamath Falls. Comments must be sent by June 16 to Chief, Programs Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch, Division of Health Assessment and Consultation, ATSDR, Mailstop E-60, 1600 Clifton Road, NE. Atlanta, GA 30333.
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