MEDIA RELEASE:
Wisconsin Investigates Rare Forms of Explosive at BAAP
Four uncommon forms of the explosive Dinitrotoluene (DNT)
have been detected in hundreds of monitoring and water supply wells in and
around Badger Army Ammunition Plant, prompting the State of Wisconsin to
look into potential health risks including cancer.
According to a recent letter from the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), the forms of the suspected human
carcinogen are 2,3-, 2,5-, 3,4-, and 3,5-DNT.
The May 4 letter from Todd Ambs,
Administrator of the Division of Water, asks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Henry
Anderson (Wisconsin Bureau of Public Health) to establish interim health
standards to help in the investigation of groundwater contamination caused by
the Army and to help determine if the water from affected wells is safe to
drink.
Wisconsin does not currently have
standards for these 4 forms (isomers) of DNT. Wisconsin’s
safe drinking water standard for the more common isomers of DNT (2,4- and 2,6-)
is set at only 0.05 parts per billion based on cancer risks.
According to Ambs’ letter, the 2,3-DNT isomer has
been detected in 103 wells (3 private water supply and 100
monitoring/groundwater extraction), at concentrations as high as 2,200 parts
per billion.
The 3,4-DNT isomer has been detected in 37 wells (1
private water supply and 36 monitoring) at concentrations as high as 419 parts
per billion. In December 2006, the U.S. Army reported that low levels of
3,4-DNT were found in groundwater monitoring wells located north of the Village
of Prairie du Sac, more than a mile from the plant boundary.
The 3,5-DNT isomer has been detected in 20 wells (1
private water supply and 19 monitoring) at concentrations as high as 23.9 ug/l.
The 2,5-DNT isomer has been detected in 19 wells (1 private water supply and 18
monitoring) at concentrations as high as 1.5 parts per billion.
The recent action by WDNR is long overdue and was finally
resolved when Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB) intervened.
The community-based group is pressing the WDNR for a proactive response that
will prevent exposures to even low levels of DNT, especially to infants and
children who are most vulnerable to environmental pollutants.
CSWAB is also pressing the Army to test for other
explosives that were historically dumped in waste pits at Badger, including
TNT, RDX, and HMX. All are considered possible human carcinogens. The
Army has refused to test water supplies for these contaminants despite
recommendations from state health officials to do so. WDNR officials have
also refused to order the necessary testing.
Community members are urged to contact CSWAB to receive a
free Action Alert asking Governor Doyle to prioritize children’s health
and drinking water quality. Email info@cswab.org
or telephone (608)643-3124 to receive your postcard mailing. So far,
CSWAB has received almost 300 responses.
Health officials estimate that the requested health
advisory levels will be set within one month, if not sooner.
END
ATTACHED
.PDF FILE: May
4, 2007 letter from WDNR to Wisconsin Division of Health
--
Laura Olah, Executive Director
Citizens for Safe
Water Around Badger
E12629 Weigand's Bay
South
Merrimac, WI 53561
(608)643-3124
Email: info@cswab.org
Website:
www.cswab.org