Abstract  In the areas surrounding the Redwood Early Childhood Center site, the top priority of ADH/ATSDR is to ensure that the community has the best information possible to safeguard its health and prevent people from coming in contact with harmful toxic materials.

Abstract  Port Heiden is a small fishing village on the Alaskan Peninsulas northern coast. Residentsmostly members of the Alutiiq communityhistorically followed a subsistence lifestyle. A part of their diet included, and still includes, fish and shellfish taken from Bristol Bay. The Port Heiden community petitioned the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to determine whether toxic substances from the Department of Defense (DoD) property posed a current public health hazard. Current health hazard including the eroding landfill and village are addressed in more detail in a separate health consult. Residents concerns were that asbestos washed out from near-shore impoundments onto the beaches and into the clams. The residents particular concern was for stomach illnesses.

Abstract  Environmental and breathing zone samples were analyzed for asbestos (1332214) at Easton Elementary School (SIC-2869), Morgantown, West Virginia in February 1983. The evaluation was requested by the superintendant of schools of the county on behalf of the pupils and staff of the school on suspicion of an asbestos hazard in an area where damaged pipe insulation was being replaced. Fibers with an aspect ratio of 3:1 or larger and a minimum length of 5 microns were counted using phase contrast microscopy. Analysis of bulk and settled dust samples confirmed the presence of chrysotile (12001295) asbestos. The majority of the fibers counted, however, were found to be fiberglass (not asbestos) and had a concentration of less than 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (cm3). Samples from filters on masks used by two maintenance workers had concentrations of 0.18 and 0.50 fibers/cm3, but again, most of the fibers were fiberglass. The current NIOSH standard for asbestos fibers, 5 microns or longer, is 0.1 fibers/cm3 time weighted average or 0.5 fibers/cm3 for any 15 minute period. The author concludes that there was no asbestos health hazard present at the school.

Abstract  In response to a request from the Pan American Health Organization to investigate the potential for exposure to asbestos (1332214) among workers and the general public on Barbados, NIOSH investigators visited five sites preselected for evaluation. These included the Treasury Building, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, St. Leonard's Secondary School, a sugar factory and a vehicle repair shop. At all sites, except the vehicle maintenance shop, asbestos containing materials were identified by bulk sample analysis. Both amosite (12172735) and chrysotile (12001295) asbestos fibers were found. All but one of the settled dust samples were negative, suggesting good housekeeping procedures were in place. General air concentrations of fibers were low at the time of the visits. The authors conclude that asbestos constituted a hazard since it was widely used and highly accessible to workers and the general public in Barbados. The authors recommend the following measures to control asbestos exposures: designation of a group within the Barbados Ministry of Health to coordinate and administer policies made regarding asbestos use on Barbados; development of guidelines and procedures to be followed for asbestos abatement activities; training of staff members from the Ministry of Health to perform air sampling and analysis for asbestos at the worksite; public education concerning asbestos hazards; and specific actions concerning asbestos materials found at the Treasury Building, the hospital, and the school.