A Pennsylvania community impacted by historical asbestos manufacturing and disposal activities

An asbestos waste pile in a residential and former asbestos manufacturing community poses a potential public health hazard to the residents of Ambler, Pennsylvania. In response to community concerns, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PADOH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) evaluated the public health implications of the site. Based on environmental sampling conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PADOH and ATSDR published a health consultation in July 2008 evaluating the health risk to the community, and the site was subsequently proposed to the National Priorities (Superfund) List. PADOH and ATSDR prepared a second health consultation in January 2009 evaluating cancer incidence in the communities near the site and showed that there is a non-statistically significant but elevated rate of mesothelioma in one of the areas. The health agencies concluded that the cases of mesothelioma seen are most likely due to past exposures when asbestos facilities were operating and presumably exposing workers and household contacts of these workers. In order to increase general awareness, PADOH and ATSDR sponsored two grand rounds on Asbestos Toxicity attended by more than 50 health professionals. An expert on environmental medicine presented on environmental and occupational sources of asbestos, factors contributing to asbestos toxicity, and screening and treatment protocols. The health agencies prepared and distributed three (3) fact sheets, participated in and presented during several public meetings, and partnered with a Community Advisory Group in an open house attended by 75 residents of the community adjacent to the site.