[CPEO-MEF] Oregon perchlorate sampling results

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality

News Release
July 5, 2005


EPA Issues Results of Fall 2004 Contaminant Testing In North Morrow
Perchlorate Study Area

Low concentrations of perchlorate detected again in surface water, groundwater

Sampling of sediment, soil, surface water and groundwater on and in the
area of the North Morrow Perchlorate Study Area in northern Morrow and
Umatilla counties was performed in November and December 2004 as part of
an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The sampling
detected low concentrations of perchlorate, according to recently
released test results.

The investigation is assessing whether perchlorate and other
contaminants are present, to determine if there is a potential threat to
public health and the environment, and to determine if further action is
needed by EPA or DEQ.  Perchlorate may occur naturally in arid
environments or may be manufactured and used in solid rocket fuel, some
munitions, and Chilean fertilizers. 

Similar to the findings of a fall 2003 sampling event in the same study
area, the November-December 2004 sampling detected low concentrations of
perchlorate in surface water and groundwater. The highest concentration
detected was 30 ppb (parts per billion) in a monitoring well used only
for monitoring groundwater conditions. A June 2004 sampling event
detected perchlorate in groundwater and surface water at concentrations
ranging from less than one ppb to 20.7 ppb. 

There is currently no federal or Oregon drinking water standard for
perchlorate. However, based on EPA's risk assessment, it is suggested
that perchlorate in drinking water should not exceed 24.5 ppb. This
would be considered a "safe" level and the highest concentration of
perchlorate in drinking water that is not expected to pose any
significant risk to human health, assuming that 100 percent of the
perchlorate is from drinking water.

In addition to perchlorate being found in water, it may also accumulate
in food (including milk).  If the additional exposures from these other
sources are included, the level that could be considered safe in
drinking water could be lower.

An updated DEQ perchlorate fact sheet, Perchlorate in the Lower Umatilla
Basin Groundwater Management Area - Issues and Answers, and more
information on perchlorate may be found at http://www.deq.state.or.us/er/perchloratesites.htm.

The DEQ fact sheet contains references for additional information on
testing and treatment options. Perchlorate information is also available
on EPA's Web site at
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/perchlorate/perchlorate.html.
Information related to perchlorate will be posted on these sites as it
becomes available.

###

For the original press release, go to
http://www.deq.state.or.us/news/prDisplay.asp?docID=1869

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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