David A. Cook, Commissioner	Nathan Deal, Governor

DPH Publishes Public Health Assessment For Transco Pipeline in Madison County

A public health assessment provides residents with a thorough review of all available information and data regarding off-site environmental contamination, whether exposure to off-site contaminants at levels of health concern did occur, is occurring, or may occur in the future, and an evaluation of the potential health effects from exposure.

Some residents living near the Transco compressor station have expressed health concerns about the potential for exposures to hazardous chemicals released to soil, groundwater and air from pipeline operations.  In response, DPH reviewed residents’ concerns as well as environmental sampling data and health outcome data provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD).  Using the data provided by these federal and state regulatory agencies, along with DPH’s additional data analyses, DPH concludes that contaminants present at this site do not pose a health risk to the public. Specifically,

1. Soil contamination has been contained on-site in restricted access areas, and to undeveloped woodland of Transco property not easily accessible and rarely accessed by the general public.
2. Sediment contamination is limited to on-site drainage ways and a creek on Transco property in areas not used for recreation.
3. There is no off-site groundwater contamination from facility operations.
4. Emissions to air from this facility are not at levels that pose a health hazard to nearby residents.

No further public health actions are recommended at this time. If additional data become available, the information will be reviewed by DPH and appropriate actions will be taken.

To read the public health assessment, please visit www.health.state.ga.us/programs/hazards or contact the Chemical Hazards Program at 404-657-6534 for a copy. The public health assessment is also available in the public repository of the Madison County Library, 1315 Highway 98 West, Danielsville,
(706) 795-5597.

For more information about this or any other public health program in Georgia, please contact Frank Sanchez at 404-657-6534.