Don't neglect to report risk assessment findings.
A February 22 article in the the Florida Times-Union reports on redevelopment of the Hogan's Creek area but reporting the findings of a health risk assessment would help the community understand options for the site, which is contaminated with coal tar.
Steve Patterson's recent article in the Florida Times-Union reports several relevant sources for a story regarding the future development of a controversial piece of land adjacent to Hogans Creek in Jacksonville, Fla. The area was once home to a 'manufactured gas plant,’ which essentially burned coal to produce natural gas for the area's energy needs. A major concern for the land development surrounds the coal tar that was left behind in the soil and ground water.
Coal tar is made up of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of carcinogens produced whenever organic material is burned. As a result, they are found in everything from flame-grilled hamburgers to diesel exhaust.
The obvious concern is that people who work near or visit the site might be exposed to the coal tar by coming in contact with the water or soil, potentially increasing their risk for certain types of cancer such as those of the skin and lung. However, not all contamination is equal, and deciding how to develop previously contaminated areas depends on the risk assessment process.
Risk assessment allows regulatory agencies to evaluate the form and amount of contamination to determine potential health risks. A risk assessment can put contamination into context so that communities can determine what are viable uses of the contaminated areas or to what degree remediation is necessary to reclaim the site. To provide the greatest benefit to the community, it must be known how the contamination compares to background levels and other commercial sites, and if the form of the contamination is more or less dangerous to human health compared to what we experience in our everyday lives.
The public should know several things about the Hogans Creek area to make sensible decisions. For instance, would the PAH exposure be more similar to concentrated industrial waste or to an asphalt parking lot? Other important issues are the form and amount of exposure and the length of time the contaminant will persist. It would have been a stronger story if the reporter had included the prominent findings from the human risk assessments conducted by the city of Jacksonville and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. These began with preliminary assessments in May 2000.
The article indicates that this contaminated area will be reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to potentially be added to the Superfund National Priorities List. As the investigation continues, the principle findings of the human health risk assessments should be reported. This information will help the community understand any potential health risks associated with Hogans Creek development and will provide guidance as to how development or remediation can be handled to best serve the city.
