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County of Orange Regulatory Health Services |
Juliette A. Poulson, RN, MN Mike Spurgeon Mailing Address: E-Mail: publicinfo@ochca.com |
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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Pat Markley |
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(Santa Ana) - Information recently provided by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) indicates that Chromium contamination is present in soil and shallow groundwater at an industrial site located at 2136 South Hathaway in the City of Santa Ana. Although Chromium-6 is a carcinogen, officials indicate there is no immediate threat to public drinking water. The source and extent of the contamination at the Hathaway site is being determined through the oversight of DTSC. The investigation by a private consultant involved soil samples and the analyses of water samples from two shallow groundwater-monitoring wells located at the Hathaway site. The soil and groundwater samples indicated elevated levels of Total Chromium and Chromium-6. The highest concentrations of Total Chromium present were: 1,300 parts per million (ppm) (soil) and 450 ppm (water). The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Total Chromium is .05 ppm. MCLs are the highest permissible concentration of a substance allowed in drinking water. The highest concentrations of Chromium-6 present were: 1,500 ppm (soil) and 500 ppm (water). There is currently no MCL for Chromium-6, but the Department of Health Services (DHS) has adopted a regulation identifying Chromium-6 as an unregulated chemical requiring monitoring. In May/June 2001 the Orange County Water District analyzed water samples from the two drinking wells located approximately one half mile from the site, and confirmed that no Total Chromium or Chromium-6 was detected in the wells. There is no indication that the contamination has impacted any drinking water wells. The contamination at this site, therefore, does not appear to currently pose a threat to public drinking water supplies. The Orange County Water District will again analyze samples from the drinking water wells for Total Chromium and Chromium-6 in approximately six months, in accordance with the DHS requirement. If Total Chromium or Chromium-6 is detected, the Orange County Water District will continue to sample the wells every six months. If the contaminated groundwater reaches drinking water supplies, a potential health threat could exist. According to the California Department of Health Services, however, Chromium-6 is a carcinogen that is more dangerous through inhalation than ingestion. The County of Orange Health Care Agency/Environmental Health has been designated by the Board of Supervisors as the representative for the purposes of Proposition 65 reporting under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The purposes of Proposition 65 reporting are to protect the public and its drinking water resources, and to inform the public about potential exposures to chemicals. County of Orange Health Care Agency/Environmental Health will continue to work cooperatively with the DTSC and other agencies to monitor the progress of the situation, and will update the public as necessary. The DTSC is the lead agency for this site and will be overseeing the assessment and cleanup of the contamination. Further information regarding the DTSC’s involvement with this site can be obtained through Ms. Jeanne Garcia, Public Information Officer, at (818) 551-2176. ### |
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