LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The Arkansas Department of Health is continuing its investigation of the Red River Aluminum site and its impact on the health of the citizens of  Stamps:

• Tap water samples from homes adjacent to Red River Aluminum were collected and are in the final stages of analysis for contaminants.  It is not expected that any unsafe levels of contaminants will be discovered because these homes are on the public water system.  The Health Department regularly monitors public systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  In addition, at the request of some of the Pride Addition residents, water samples were taken this week from hot water heaters in residents’ homes that abut the site.

Regarding the public water supply in Stamps, an analysis of the susceptibility of supply wells by a Health Department hydrogeologist indicates that the risk of contamination from the Red River Aluminum site is extremely low.

The source for the Stamps public water system is an aquifer, or underground lake, located approximately 245 feet below the ground and is protected from the downward movement of contaminants by a number of clay layers. Downward movement of contaminants through the clay layers, while not impossible, is highly unlikely.  A greater risk exists from the possibility of contaminants moving through abandoned private water wells, or other wells that were built without adequate protective features. Contamination could result if horizontal movement of groundwater or runoff during storms flows down abandoned, unprotected private wells.  No private wells have been identified in the area near the Red River Aluminum facility.

Remediation of the site should eliminate runoff of contaminated water and prevent additional contamination of the shallow ground water.  If remediation does not occur to this extent, a monitoring program may be needed to assure that contamination of the shallow ground water does not intrude on the protection area surrounding the source of the Stamp’s water supply.

If contaminated shallow groundwater should reach the source of the city’s drinking water, dilution effects will greatly reduce any contaminants below the levels found in the shallow groundwater. Based on the concentrations identified in the shallow groundwater to date, it is highly unlikely that contaminants in the water would reach a level of public health concern.

• A public availability session was held on Nov. 2 at Greenville Missionary Baptist Church in Stamps to learn of health concerns of the residents of the Pride Addition and other interested parties.  Seventy-six residents from the surrounding community participated in the session. The Health Department had nursing and clinic staff available to visit with residents and to gather information about health effects citizens felt they were experiencing as a result of the site.  The health concerns noted in the session are being evaluated, and more information will be forthcoming later.

• The Health Department also conducted air quality monitoring.  Air and dust samples were taken over a six-day period from eight occupied residences that abut Red River Aluminum.  Two unoccupied residences on the site line were not sampled.

Samples were tested for metal and salt components.  A complete metal screen was conducted to see if any metals contained in salt cake at the site had migrated off-site into resident’s homes.  Several of the metals present at the site occur naturally in soil.  Additional samples were collected this week to measure background levels for comparison purposes.  The significance of these data are not yet known in terms of potential health effects, if any, associated with the site.  In an effort to provide information to the Stamps community as quickly as possible, preliminary air and dust sampling data are included with this press release.  Dr. Fay Boozman, director of the Health Department states, "At this point in time, to speculate on the partial data would not be good science. When all of the samples are in, we will evaluate the data, and this should enable us to make a public health assessment."

• The Health Department received results of soil samples taken by the Environmental Protection Agency from the yards of the homes near the site line and is in the process of analyzing these results. Soil sampling in conjunction with water, air and dust samples will provide a more complete picture of contamination of the area.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality are continuing to work with the Health Department to assess possible health effects associated with the site. If the Health Department determines that adverse health effects are associated with contaminants from the site, recommendations will be made to protect the health of residents.

<Click here for Indoor Air and Dust Sampling>

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