[CPEO-MEF] Perchlorate results from the Boardman range

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
News Release 
For release: October 5, 2004

EPA Issues Results of Contaminant Testing on Boardman Air Force Range 

Soil and water samples exhibit presence of perchlorate

Sampling of sediment, soil, surface water and groundwater on, and in the
area of, the former Boardman Air Force Range in northern Morrow County
was performed in June 2004 as part of an ongoing investigation by U.S.
EPA and Oregon DEQ. The purpose of the investigation is to assess
whether perchlorate and other contaminants are present at the site, and
to determine if these contaminants present a potential threat to public
health and the environment on and off the site. 

 Perchlorate is a manufactured salt that can also be naturally
occurring. It is a component of solid rocket fuel, some munitions and
fertilizers, and is considered to have adverse health effects when
ingested. In the June 2004 sampling event, perchlorate was detected in
groundwater and surface water at concentrations ranging from less than
one part per billion (ppb) to 20.7 ppb. EPA Region 10 recommends that
water containing more than 4 parts per billion (ppb) perchlorate should
not be used for drinking or cooking. 

 An updated DEQ perchlorate fact sheet, Perchlorate in the Lower
Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area ? Issues and Answers and more
information on the Lower Umatilla Basin GWMA are available on the DEQ
web site at http://www.deq.state.or.us/wq/groundwa/LUBGWMgmtArea.htm.
The DEQ fact sheet contains references for additional information on
testing and treatment options. Perchlorate information is also available
on EPA's website 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 release, go to
http://www.deq.state.or.us/news/prDisplay.asp?docID=1663                
                                                                        
                                                                       

-- 


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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