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1. ATSDR > Public Health Assessments & Consultations

PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
EPA FACILITY ID: CA1570024504

May 8, 2003

Prepared by:

Federal Facilities Assessment Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

ABBREVIATIONS

1 SUMMARY

2 BACKGROUND

2.1 Site Description and Operational History
2.2 Remedial and Regulatory History
2.3 ATSDR Involvement
2.4 Land Use and Demographics
2.5 Quality Assurance and Quality Control

3 EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND POTENTIAL EXPOSURE SITUATIONS

3.1 Introduction
3.1.1 What is meant by exposure?
3.1.2 How does ATSDR determine which exposure situations to evaluate?
3.1.3 If someone is exposed, will they get sick?
3.1.4 What potential exposure situations were evaluated for EAFB?
3.2 Potential Exposure to Contaminants in Drinking Water
3.2.1 Hydrogeology
3.2.2 Groundwater Use and Drinking Water Supplies
3.2.3 Nature and Extent of Contamination
3.2.4 Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards
3.3 Potential Exposure to Chemical Warfare Material
3.3.1 Chemical Warfare Material Sites
3.3.2 Nature and Extent of Contamination
3.3.3 Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards
3.4 Potential Exposure to Dioxins in Air from Sites 16 and 18
3.4.1 Site Descriptions and Wind Patterns
3.4.2 Nature and Extent of Contamination
3.4.3 Evaluation of Potential Public Health Hazards

4 COMMUNITY HEALTH CONCERNS

4.1 Could chemical releases from EAFB contribute to a possible cluster of childhood cancers in Rosamond?
4.2 Was there a USAF bombing range beyond EAFB boundaries in what is now California City? Could people be harmed by any unexploded ordnance remaining from past target practice?
4.3 Could any public health impact result from past pentaborane stockpile destruction activities?
4.4 Are recreational users of Piute Ponds exposed to harmful levels of contaminants in surface water or sediment?

5 CHILD HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

6 CONCLUSIONS

7 PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION PLAN

7.1 Completed Actions
7.2 Ongoing or Planned Actions

8 REFERENCES

APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: TABLES

APPENDIX B: FIGURES

APPENDIX C: ATSDR'S PROCESS FOR EVALUATING HEALTH EFFECTS

APPENDIX D: ARSENIC IN A WATER SUPPLY WELL AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE

APPENDIX E: DIOXIN-LIKE COMPOUNDS--DEFINITIONS, SOURCES, EXPOSURES, EFFECTS, AND THE TEF/TEQ CONCEPT

APPENDIX F: ATSDR PLAIN LANGUAGE GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH TERMS

APPENDIX G: RESPONSES TO PUBLIC COMMENTS

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Potential Exposure Pathways Evaluated at EAFB

Table 2: Description of On-base Drinking Water Supply System

Table 3: Description of Community Supply Wells

Table 4. EAFB Groundwater Plume Characteristics

Table 5: Summary of Dioxin Air Sampling Data from Site 16 and Site 18

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Location Map of Edwards Air Force Base

Figure 2. Map of Operable Units at Edwards Air Force Base

Figure 3. Demographic Map for Edwards Air Force Base, California

Figure 4. ATSDR Exposure Evaluation Process

Figure 5. ATSDR Public Health Conclusion Categories

Figure 6. Contaminant Plumes and On-base Supply Wells

Figure 7. North Base Contaminant Plumes and Off-base Private and Community Supply Wells

Figure 8. Location of Site 426, Edwards Air Force Base

Figure 9. Location of Site 16 and Site 18, Edwards Air Force Base

Figure 10. Windrose (1992-1997) for Site 16 and Site 18, Edwards Air Force Base

ABBREVIATIONS

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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1825 Century Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30345
Contact CDC: 800-232-4636 / TTY: 888-232-6348 

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