THE IRONY ABOUT ASARCO EL PASO: EPA Seeks Public Input on Interim Guidance for Dioxins in Soil Cleanup Goals

What irony -- the EPA and TCEQ have failed to disclose the amounts of dioxins around the ASARCO El Paso Plant even though it has been three years since the public-release of the EPA-DOJ Asarco confidential for settlement purposes only document that let us know ASARCO burned unmanifested wastes for profit for years.  Dioxins are extremely common around secondary smelters and copper smelters.   Yet, after YEARS of repeated requests, our community still does not have access to this basic information.  This is appalling and a serious comment on the lack of scientific integrity of our National and State Environmental protection agencies.

Dear Stakeholders / Interested Parties:

 Today [DEC-31-09]  the Agency asked the public to comment on the draft interim remediation plans for cleaning up dioxins in soil. Details are below. Be sure to read more about the draft recommended guidance and how to comment at: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/remedy/sfremedy/remedies/dioxinsoil.html   Best wishes for a Happy New Year,  Bonnie Piper Office of Public Outreach Office of Public Engagement Office of the Administrator O: 202-564-7836 Fax: 202-501-1770 email:  piper.bonnie@epa.gov   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 31, 2009  EPA Seeks Public Input on Interim Guidance for Dioxins in Soil Cleanup Goals  WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today it is seeking public comment on draft interim preliminary remediation goals (PRGs) for cleanup of dioxins in soil.  Today’s announcement fulfills a commitment by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson to announce interim cleanup goals by the end of 2009.  Dioxins are contaminants that are very widespread in the environment that have been of concern to EPA and the public health community for decades.  This action would strengthen EPA’s preliminary remediation goals at dioxin contaminated sites.  “While EPA works to complete the dioxin reassessment, this interim guidance will help us make better informed decisions on cleanup alternatives at contaminated sites,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “We are following through on our commitment to use the best available science to help protect human health and the environment.”  Dioxins may cause a large number of different health effects, like cancer and reproductive effects. Dioxins are of concern because they are the result of combustion, and are absorbed from the air into the food chain where they can stay for many years.  Currently, EPA’s recommended dioxin PRGs are 1,000 part per trillion (ppt) for dioxin in residential soil and a level within the range of 5,000-20,000 ppt in commercial/industrial soil.  The draft interim PRGs proposed today are 72 ppt for residential land uses and 950 ppt for commercial/industrial land uses, thus lowering the amount of dioxins levels for residential land uses and commercial/industrial land uses.  In addition, the draft interim PRGs differ from the current dioxin PRGs in that they include consideration of the potential absorption of dioxin through skin exposure.  This will provide a tool for site evaluation that was not available when EPA last recommended PRGs for dioxins in soil in 1998.  In 1991, in light of significant new data on the potential human health effects of dioxins, EPA began the development of a comprehensive evaluation of exposure and human health effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic of the group of chemicals known as dioxins, and other dioxin-like compounds. This draft dioxins assessment has been through several independent external peer reviews, the latest a 2004 review by a scientific panel convened by the National Academy of Sciences. When the EPA dioxin risk assessment is complete, it will be the agency’s scientific foundation for future decision-making about dioxins in the environment.  EPA will be taking public comment on the draft interim PRGs for 50 days following publication in the Federal Register, and anticipates issuing the final interim PRGs in June 2010.  Upon completion of the dioxins reassessment, currently expected by the end of 2010, EPA will consider the need to update the interim PRGs.  More information on the draft recommended interim PRGs and how to comment: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/policy/remedy/sfremedy/remedies/dioxinsoil.html   R401