AGENCY FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES & DISEASE REGISTRY
(ATSDR)
Final ATSDR Report on Anaconda Mine Site
September 12, 2006
 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Protecting America’s Health from Toxic Exposure 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., MS E-28, Atlanta, GA 30333 Media inquiries: 404-498-0070 or atsdrmediainquiries@cdc.gov Public inquiries: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or e-mail: atsdric@cdc.gov ATSDR Web site: www.atsdr.cdc.gov News Release For Immediate Release: September 12, 2006
Final ATSDR Report on Anaconda Mine Site Is Available Mason Valley residents with private wells should have
their water tested ATLANTA – The final version of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) public health consultation report on the Yerington Anaconda Mine Site in Yerington, Nev., reiterates that Mason Valley residents with private wells should have their water tested to verify that uranium and arsenic concentrations are at safe levels. The report also reminds people currently receiving bottled water that they should continue receiving and using this water for drinking and cooking. Using well water for bathing, cleaning, and irrigation are not health hazards and may be continued, ATSDR says. Other conclusions and recommendations in the final report are essentially the same as those in the version released earlier this year for public comment. ATSDR’s conclusions about the Anaconda site include: Mine operations have contaminated groundwater, which has migrated off-site. Down-gradient drinking water wells are contaminated with uranium and arsenic, however, available groundwater monitoring data are not adequate to determine whether the levels of these contaminants are site-related or naturally occurring. Short-term exposure to airborne contaminants downwind of the site is an indeterminate public health hazard, because critical air monitoring information is not available. Long-term exposure to air-borne contaminants is not an apparent public health hazard, meaning exposures that may have occurred were below levels of public health concern. Tailings piles and evaporation ponds are potential sources of airborne particulates. These particles only are likely to become airborne during peak wind events. Current air monitoring programs designed to assess long-term average conditions are not adequate to evaluate peak events. Ongoing air and groundwater monitoring programs have significant limitations for assessing potential past and future exposures to the off-site community. Contaminants present include airborne respiratory irritants such as fine particulate matter, and groundwater contaminants such as arsenic and uranium. The mine and ore processing facilities present significant physical hazards. The site represents an attractive nuisance for area children. As a result of numerous complaints by community members, improvements to site fencing and warning signs are currently in progress. ATSDR’s recommendations include: People with private wells in Mason Valley should have their water tested to verify that uranium and arsenic concentrations are at safe levels. People currently receiving bottled water should continue receiving and using this water for drinking and cooking. Using well water for bathing, cleaning, and irrigation are not health hazards and may be continued. Collect additional off-site groundwater monitoring data to assess the off-site distribution of site-related contaminants. Improve ongoing domestic well sampling by developing an agency-approved sampling and analysis plan. Ongoing air monitoring programs should target contaminant loads in peak wind events. The health consultation is available for public review at: South Lyon County Library, 20 Nevin Way, Yerington, Nev., and Yerington Paiute Tribal Office, 171 Campbell Lane, Yerington, Nev. For more information about the public health consultation, call Health Communication Specialist Youlanda Outin toll-free at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). Regional Representative Libby Vianu also may be contacted at 415-947-4319. Callers should refer to the Yerington Anaconda Mine Site.
ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances. -30- Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 404-498-0070.
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The ATSDR issued the DRAFT Health Consultation regarding the Yerington Anaconda Mine in February of 2006. The Final version was released August 22, 2006.
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