ATSDR Releases Health Consultation on TCE Exposure for Millsboro, DE

Sussex County, Millsboro, Delaware

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

“Exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) in the Millsboro, DE, drinking water between October 2004 and October 2005 may have increased residents’ likelihood of experiencing non-cancer health effects,” says the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in a health consultation released today. The increased risk for cancer health effects is low.

TCE contaminated two of the three Millsboro water system wells between water tests in October 2004 and October 2005, possibly for as long as one year. ATSDR estimated past exposures and possible health effects by using test results from pre-filtered municipal well water. Test results covered samples taken between October 2005 and October 2006.

ATSDR found that:

• Using Millsboro’s public water supply now or in the future will not harm people’s health, provided the water continues to meet federal standards and health-based guidelines.
• Past exposure to TCE in the public water supply may have increased the likelihood of Millsboro residents experiencing non-cancer health effects. The increased risk for cancer health effects is low.

After the contamination was discovered, the Millsboro Water Treatment Facility installed a granulated activated carbon filtration system to remove TCE before the water enters the distribution system. Since the filters were installed, the water treatment facility has conducted weekly sampling to ensure that levels of TCE meet federal standards.

To read the health consultation, go to http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/HCPHA.asp?State=DE.

A copy of the health consultation is also available at the Millsboro Public Library during regular business hours at the following location:

Millsboro Public Library
217 W. State Street
Millsboro, DE 19966

For more information about the health consultation, community members can call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).

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.

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Related News Releases For Sussex County, Millsboro, Delaware

 

ATSDR Changes Conclusions About TCE Exposure in Millsboro, DE
Release Date: Friday, August 17, 2012
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has made slight changes in its conclusions in the October 2011 health consultation for Millsboro, DE, because of new guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The revised conclusion is that past exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) in the Millsboro, DE drinking water between October 2004 and October 2005 may have increased residents’ likelihood of experiencing non-cancer health effects.

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