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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
Board of Health
December 14, 1999
The meeting was called to order at 12:30 p.m. by Council Chair Marlene
Dawson in the Council Chambers, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham, Washington.
Also Present: Absent:
Tom Brown Connie Hoag
Barbara Brenner
L. Ward Nelson
Robert Imhof
Kathy Sutter
I. INTRODUCTION
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated that Susan
Trimingham and Steve ]ilk served their last PHAB meeting. Joanne Linville and
Fielding Formway will reapply. There will be two openings on the board.
Brown questioned whether there is an opening for a doctor. Benjamin stated
Mary Ellen Shields is a doctor that serves on the board. The openings are for
people who represent environmental sciences and a general citizen.
S. TOBACCO ADVERTISING ORDINANCE (ORD. #99 -065)
Chuck Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated that the U.S.
Court of Appeals of the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that a local ban on outdoor tobacco
advertising is preempted by the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act.
Public health officials from Pierce County, where this originated, have decided not to
appeal that decision. After discussing this issue with Randy Watts, Chief Civil
Deputy Prosecutor for Whatcom County, he decided to recommend the Council
rescind the anti - advertising ordinance. It is the recommendation that the Whatcom
County Health Board rescind the Ordinance No. 99 -065, Restricting Tobacco
Advertising.
Imhof moved to rescind the ordinance.
Nelson stated he was disappointed.
Benjamin stated there was a lot of disappointment and frustration over the
court decision, which said they can't adopt a local ordinance restricting any kind of
tobacco advertising based on health issues, because of the Federal Labeling Act.
The Advisory Board will review this further at their January meeting. The Advisory
Board may consider a letter- writing campaign at the federal level to change the law.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 1
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Nelson stated it is interesting, in a historical context. This is the Ninth Circuit
Court. The issue of slavery and emancipation went through the same thing.
Though they may say it is not legal because of federal legislation, it doesn't mean
what is occurring is right or wrong. He understood the public's feelings on the
impacts of smoking and public health. There are other things that have to be
changed to make it effective.
Motion carried unanimously.
Benjamin stated he attended the statewide public health officials meeting in
Sea -Tac last week. The State Secretary of Health gave a presentation on the
tobacco ordinance and the settlement, and the monies the State of Washington will
receive over the next several years. There was a suggestion to offset the impacts
of I -695 by utilizing the tobacco settlement monies. The Washington State
Association of Local Public Health Officials passed a resolution, which he read into
the record and asked the Board of Health to consider.
Dawson questioned whether the total amount of the settlement for
Washington State was $323 million. Benjamin stated that is the total over time.
Brenner questioned whether they were going to use the settlement money
for health issues anyway. Benjamin stated they were. However, there are some
legislators who are proposing to use those monies to offset the impacts of I -695,
which would not allow the health officials to use the money as previously intended.
Brenner stated she believed the purpose for the settlement was for that
money to be used to either help people who are already sick or to prevent it.
Benjamin stated Washington State has once again been a leader in using the
tobacco settlement monies for health care and public health prevention programs.
Brenner questioned whether there was nothing in the settlement that
specified the money had to be used for public health. Benjamin stated that was
correct. There are other states that have used the money for other purposes.
Nelson moved that the Board of Health pass a similar resolution. The
purpose of these dollars should be for health and education. Prevention will far
outweigh any type of temporary fix that might be provided by the funds. It is
abominable for legislators to use the money as a fix instead of addressing the issue
that the state voters told the legislature to fix.
Brown stated he supported the resolution. However, because there are so
many "Whereas" statements, he wasn't sure they were all correct. He wanted to
see the documentation that supported some of those statements.
Brenner stated she wanted to know the source of the data regarding the
number of lives that will be saved in three years. Benjamin stated those were
projections that were developed by the State Department of Health (DOH).
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 2
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Brenner questioned why the resolution only specifies using $100 million of
the entire $323 million. Benjamin stated $100 million is what the governor and the
legislature actually allocated for prevention programs. The other $223 million is to
assist with the statewide public health plan related to smoking.
Brenner questioned whether it would be better to specify dedicating the
entire $323 million in the resolution. Benjamin stated they could do that. They
chose only to protect those moneys that were actually earmarked for public health
prevention programs.
Brenner moved to approve an amendment to include language that $223
million already dedicated to health care issues stay focused on tobacco issues.
Dawson stated she was not comfortable with that. There could be other
issues that come up at the state level that aren't related to tobacco use, in terms of
health and safety. Settlements are used to limit liability.
Brenner stated the reason this happened is because many people have died
and gotten sick from tobacco.
Motion failed 1 -5 with Brenner in favor.
Sutter stated the resolution needs to be made specific to the Whatcom
County Board of Health. She didn't feel comfortable approving it without seeing all
the language.
Imhof suggested the resolution be brought forward at the next Council
meeting on January 11, 2000.
Brenner questioned whether anything would be done with the money before
the next meeting. Benjamin stated the session begins January 10, 2000. Action
taken by the Council in January would be very timely.
Nelson stated he wanted more information on how the $223 million will be
allocated. He withdrew his motion to approve the resolution.
Benjamin stated the State has just released the use strategy document for
the $100 million. They have sent that information to all the newspaper editorial
boards in the Washington State. He will receive a copy and make it available to the
councilmembers.
Dawson stated the resolution would be brought forward at the next Council
meeting on January 11, 2000.
Brenner questioned what portion of the $323 million was punitive and what
portion was based on the amount that it has cost the State. Benjamin stated he
would gather that information.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 3
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2. HEPATITIS C TESTING & EDUCATION
Dr. Greg Stern, Whatcom County Health Officer, looked into universal testing
for Hepatitis C. On August 10, the Public Health Advisory Board (PHAB)
recommended selective testing for Hepatitis C based on the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) guidelines. The main risk factors for Hepatitis C are known. By
targeting and educating at -risk populations, they would be able to identify the vast
majority of cases. That would be an appropriate use of resources.
Dawson questioned the percentage of false - positive tests. Stern explained it
depends on the specificity and sensitivity of the test and the prevalence of the
condition in the population.
Dawson questioned the number of times a person has to be tested before
finding out that they received a false - positive result. Stern stated he didn't have
that information immediately on hand.
Brenner questioned why there would be more false - positive results when
there is a lower prevalence of the disease. Stern explained the positive predictive
value of a test. Specificity is the percentage of people who have the disease and
receive a positive test.
Nelson stated when there are fewer people in the community with the
disease, there is an increased risk of false - positive test results because they are
always going to get false- positives.
same.
Brenner questioned whether the amount of false - positives would be the
Nelson stated they would.
Stern stated the meaning of a false - positive test result, in a population with a
low prevalence, is different than in a population with a high prevalence.
Brenner stated she didn't understand. Stern stated it has to do with the
positive predictive value and negative predictive value.
Nelson stated that, in a community that has a greater incidence of Hepatitis
C, the false - positive test results have less of a value or meaning to the overall
picture.
Sutter stated it is because more people will have a positive test result. It's
not about percentages.
Brenner questioned how many false - positive test results should be expected
out of 100 people. Stern stated it depends on the specificity and sensitivity of the
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 4
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test. It makes sense to explain this with the numbers, but he didn't have that
information on hand.
Brenner stated one of the recommendations is to do selective testing instead
of universal testing because it is cheaper, the false - positive tests are more common
when the prevalence is lower, and false - positive tests can have a terrible emotional
and financial impact. She is trying to find out what the percentage is that they are
talking about, so she knows what the huge emotional and financial effect is. Stern
stated he can find out that information.
Sutter stated it looks like there are additions to the health plan, attachment
B. Benjamin stated attachment B only provides the new bloodborne diseases work
plan that the Board of Health has already done.
Stern stated certain items in attachment B are underlined because they are
the new items from the last approval. The work plan doesn't require any action.
Benjamin stated the action items are in attachment A, which provides
background information and the recommendation of the PHAB. There are four
recommendations.
.•.�
Brown stated those recommendations are consistent with attachment B.
Benjamin stated they are recommendations that have been processed by the
Imhof moved approval of recommended items number one through four.
Sutter questioned what happens after the Board of Health approves the
recommendations. Benjamin stated the staff would begin implementing those items
as policy.
Sutter questioned whether they have to be approved by ordinance because
they are policy. Benjamin stated that, if the Board of Health approves the
recommendations, the staff would bring forward a revised policy for Council
adoption. They didn't want to pre- determine that the Council would approve these
items.
Brenner questioned item number three. One of the reasons this came up is
because there were articles about pregnant women and blood transfusion recipients
having a risk for having contracted Hepatitis C and not knowing it. She questioned
how low that risk was.
Dawson asked Brenner to hold her questions until this comes before the full
Council.
Brenner stated that would be okay. She would abstain from the vote.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 5
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Benjamin stated they will amend the bloodborne pathogen prevention policy
if the recommendations are approved. That amended policy would come to the
Council for approval.
Motion carried 5 -0 with Brenner abstaining.
3. RESPIRATORY ISOLATION WASTE
Dawson suggested that the letter from St. Joseph's Hospital be addressed
first. They had three concerns. One concern dealt with compacting. They felt
there should be an exception for the respiratory waste.
Charles Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated they reviewed
all the recommendations. The Board of Health acted on those previously. The only
issue outstanding from those recommendations is recommendation number 13.
They are not addressing all 18 recommendations.
Dr. Greg Stern, Whatcom County Health Officer, explained that, at the last
meeting, the Medical Waste Task Force (MWTF) and PHAB recommendations had
been passed. Recommendation 13 deals with respiratory isolation waste. Initially,
they looked at the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) definition of biomedical
waste. It did not include pulmonary secretions. There were concerns there could
be pathogens in liquid suction canisters. That would have been excluded from
treatment requirements if they were going to limit the definition about medical
waste. Therefore, they added the consideration of pulmonary suction canisters.
The task force expanded that to include all the waste that was generated when
someone was in respiratory isolation. It was not a unanimous recommendation.
There was a dissenting opinion that it should be treated onsite. He talked with
infectious disease specialists and the tuberculosis clinic consultant, Wayne
Turnburg, to clarify the risks associated with respiratory isolation waste. The
definition of respiratory isolation waste included gloves, gowns, bandages, tubing,
and dressing. Some of those items would be waste that could be contagious if
there was a germ that is passed on contact, rather than respiration. Gloves and
gowns wouldn't pass on respiratory droplets. He asked if there was anything
besides tuberculosis they were concerned about in terms of respiratory isolation. In
talking with all of the doctors, they were only concerned with tuberculosis. People
are put in respiratory isolation only for tuberculosis.
Dawson asked if they talked about microwave technology. Stern stated the
adopted recommendations state they can't grind materials prior to treatment. The
microwave treatment technologies involve grinding the material. That would not be
a treatment option in Whatcom County.
Sutter read recommendation 13. She didn't see the definition of stocks and
cultures, so she didn't know if pulmonary suction canisters are included in that
definition. By adopting recommendation 13, they still don't address the issue of the
pulmonary suction canisters. She questioned whether pulmonary suction canisters
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 6
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would be treated onsite or offsite. Stern stated the recommendation was to allow
respiratory isolation waste, including pulmonary suction canisters, to be transported
offsite for treatment. The recommendation is from the Health and Human Services
Department. The risk to the workers and the public was not any greater than any
other biomedical waste.
Sutter asked about what stocks and cultures are. Stern stated they are
laboratory materials that have higher pathogen concentrations.
Sutter questioned whether there is a definition for stocks and cultures. Stern
stated he could provide the formal definition. It refers to laboratory materials.
Dawson questioned the problem with the microwave technology. Stern
stated that is separate from respiratory isolation waste. That letter is St. Joseph
Hospital's response to the full set of recommendations.
Brown stated one of the points they are making is that the rules that are
being discussed prohibit the use and development of other treatment methods that
are both safe and reliable. He questioned whether they have to grind materials to
utilize the microwave technology. Stern stated they have to have small materials to
use the microwave technology.
Brown stated one of the safest ways to sterilize a toothbrush or dishcloth is
to throw it in the microwave.
Brenner stated they don't have to grind material to use microwave
sterilization.
(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side A.)
Stern stated it has to do with the high volume chambers and getting the
materials into a size that get be put through a microwave chamber. There isn't a
recommendation that says they can't sterilize by microwave. It says they can't
grind materials.
Brenner stated recommendation seven does not allow the hospital to treat
and compress medical waste before taking it to a transfer station. She believed
they finally approved compaction after treatment. She didn't agree with it, but she
believed that was what was approved.
Benjamin stated the Board of Health approved the development of
regulations for biomedical waste in Whatcom County. Staff is currently working on
that. They hope to have a draft proposal and review it with local stakeholders, such
as the hospital and doctors' offices. They will forward a recommendation to the
PHAB and the Board of Health in March or April of 2000. A lot of the concerns that
they are discussing now will have to be addressed during development of the
regulations. When those regulations are presented to the Board of Health, he would
urge those concerned stakeholders to be present at the meeting.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 7
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Dawson stated the recommendation regarding sharps treatment and
compaction only addresses sharps.
Sutter stated it does. It also says they can be compacted onsite after
treatment. The concern they are stating is not valid.
Stern stated recommendation five says biomedical waste can be compacted
after treatment. Recommendation seven addresses sharps compaction. Their
concern regarded transportation of materials to the transfer station. They wanted
the option to compact treated materials, if they use the same care as the treatment
facility.
Imhof moved approval of recommendation number 13.
Brenner explained there are two options for number 13. She supported
option number two.
Brown stated the recommendation was to approve option number one, which
is recommendation 13.
Benjamin stated the recommendation was "With the exception of stocks and
cultures, which are discussed separately, biomedical waste should be allowed to be
transported off -site for treatment." If they don't approve this, then they could
approve option number two.
Brenner stated she was opposed to the first option, which is being
recommended. She supported option two.
Motion carried 5 -1 with Brenner opposed.
4. NORTH COUNTY WATER UPDATE
Paul Chudek, Health and Human Services Supervisor, gave a presentation.
Since 1990 or 1991, when the Growth Management Act required proof of water
availability, they've been keeping track of private water supplies that come forward
for approval for building permits. Those have always been paper records stuck in a
file. About two years ago, they began the process of creating a database of those
records. They tied that database to the mapping program. They have learned
many things. The first map he presented showed the depth of wells. They've
chosen a straightforward process for their Geographic Information System (GIS)
work. Wells that are less than 20 feet deep are not the type of water source that
should be relied on if there are other options. Those that are between 20 and 40
feet are somewhat vulnerable.
Dawson questioned whether it makes a difference if there is a clay overlay.
Chudek stated it does make a difference. One can have a shallow well if there is
enough clay. In general, extremely shallow wells do create problems. In the north
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 8
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part of the county, to the west of Lynden and also to the north and east of Lynden,
there are quite a few shallow wells and few deep wells. In addition, they don't have
those confining clay layers that give added protection.
Brenner asked what happens if someone has a deep well in an aquifer that
has contamination.
Imhof stated they might be in a different aquifer if the well is deep.
Chudek stated in the north part of the county, especially in Lynden, they are
all dealing with the same aquifer.
Brenner stated there is one area in the central part of the county. Chudek
stated it is all in the same aquifer. It is the Sumas - Abbottsford aquifer.
Chudek showed another picture of nitrate -heavy areas. North areas of the
county with shallow wells have a considerable amount of nitrate. Nitrates are
applied to the surface of the ground and travels easily to the groundwater. In the
lower part of the county, there isn't much nitrate, even in the areas with shallow
wells. He showed a map of areas that were exposed to 1,2 DCP, a soil fumigant
that was used for many years on berries and potato products. It was used mostly
in and around Lynden. There is a cluster at the corner of Birch Bay - Lynden Road
and Bob Hall Road. The State Department of Ecology (DOE) also refers it to as
study site B. An area northeast of Lynden is study site A.
Brenner stated it looks as if there is a cluster east of the river and north of
Ferndale. Chudek stated that area contains the highest level they've found to date.
Surrounding wells, for whatever reason, don't have high levels.
The last map showed areas with ethylenedibromide (EDB). It is the soil
fumigant that got everything started. There is only one detection above the
maximum contaminant level. Most of the remaining areas are centered at Bob Hall
Road and Birch Bay - Lynden Road. There are three detections on Willeys Lake Road.
Brenner questioned whether the properties with the EDB and the properties
with the 1,2 DCP are the same properties. Chudek stated he only knows of one
property that has both contaminants.
Chudek continued to state there are elevated levels of naturally occurring
fluoride throughout the county. There is a project to notify the local dental
community, so they know which areas of the county have decent levels of fluoride.
Dawson stated that too much fluoride would cause molted teeth.
Chudek stated it mostly occurs in the deeper wells. That is one of the results
of being able to collect and review data. They can look at almost anything else that
is on a required inorganic analysis.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 9
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Brown questioned whether the new tests that have to be done on new wells
test for fluoride. Chudek stated they do. They also have the ability to look for
arsenic. They are learning many things that will be beneficial in the long run.
Brenner questioned whether there is much arsenic in the county. Chudek
stated there is. It is usually associated with the deeper wells, such as those that
are 150 feet deep.
Chudek discussed the different health assessments and studies that have
been done. He recently did a presentation for the berry growers in the north part of
the county. The Department of Health, through the Agency for Toxic Substances
and Disease Registry (ATSDR), did a comprehensive health assessment in the north
part of the county in relation to a concern that there were elevated levels of
leukemia cases in children, and that known groundwater contamination may have
been responsible. When the study was done, it was determined there were
measurable health risks associated with drinking or showering. There were
elevated fumigant levels. Elevated nitrate levels pose a health risk to select
members of the population.
Brenner questioned whether nitrates are also a problem when showering.
Chudek stated they are not. They are only a problem for children who drink
contaminated water.
Chudek continued to state that the study recommended several actions if
there are elevated levels of fumigants: drink bottled water, install carbon
showerhead filters, take shorter showers and increase ventilation, and implement
permanent solutions. They found contaminants can be absorbed through the skin
while showering. They want to do something in the shower to reduce the level of
the soil fumigants. They have done some work with the shower filters in one home
on Northwest Road that had the highest level of 1,2 DCP. They tracked the usage
of the showerhead filter for several months, beyond the time the manufacturer
recommended replacement. The showerhead filter does a very good job. For the
recommended usage time of the showerhead filter, the removal amount is at 90
percent. With good care and operating maintenance, there are things residents can
do to reduce their risk on an interim basis.
Brenner questioned whether all the properties with fumigants had shallow
wells. Chudek stated they did.
Brenner questioned what would happen if they dug deeper wells. Chudek
stated the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study suggested that they may
find higher levels of the soil fumigant at the bottom of the aquifer. They are heavy
and have a tendency to sink over time.
Brenner questioned whether there are any clay layers they can go through.
Chudek stated the City of Lynden is looking for alternative sources of water. They
find a lot of water, but it is loaded with salt or something else.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 10
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Chudek stated that, for a permanent solution, the Department of Ecology
suggests supplying public water or finding a point of entry treatment device that will
remove the soil fumigant. The treatment device would be a sophisticated treatment
system on the water line coming into the house. All the water that people would be
exposed to would be treated. A consultant was hired to look at the best types of
point of entry systems.
Nelson questioned the availability of water. Chudek stated those systems are
not contaminated.
Nelson questioned what their water right levels are in those areas. Chudek
stated they would not be adequate to take on these additional users.
Nelson questioned whether the County or State would be able to increase
water rights for those associations on an emergency basis if the problem was to get
worse. Chudek stated there are emergency standards in the law. He did not know
whether or not it would happen. He was not familiar with that procedure. The
County may be able to petition the State because of an emergency.
Nelson questioned whether that would be Chudek's recommendation if the
problem was to persist or get worse. Chudek stated it has to be dealt with. Lynden
is experiencing some difficulty with their water right. If they are going to expand
their service area to include the contaminated area, that water right issue has to be
dealt with.
Brenner questioned whether Lynden has already outgrown its water right.
Chudek stated it has. They have to declare an emergency and see how that
process works.
Chudek continued to say that the leukemia study has already been done. For
drinking water, there is only one thing that is important. It is important to say they
could not confirm a cause for the leukemia cluster. That doesn't mean there isn't
one. It only means they couldn't confirm one. Exposure to EDB and 1,2 DCP in
drinking water did not seem to substantiate a factor common to these children.
Brenner questioned the number of children that were studied. Chudek stated
it was not all of the children. Some of the children moved away from the
community. One of the children only lived in the community for a very short time.
There were a total of nine confirmed cases in children in the area.
Brenner questioned how many of the nine were checked to see if they had
exposure to 1,2 DCP in common. Chudek stated six children were interviewed. Of
those six, none of the children were exposed to the contaminants. Some of them
were on public water supplies. Others lived in areas that were close to
contaminated areas, but their individual wells were not contaminated. They looked
for exposure to 1,2 DCP for all these children.
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 11
I Charles Benjamin, Health and Human Services Director, stated they could not
2 cite the results of the leukemia tests without looking at it. The councilmembers
3 were provided a copy of that study. In that study, there is a chart that breaks
4 down the cases and each water source.
5
6 Brenner stated the chart did not provide any information for or against.
7 Benjamin stated they can't look at just one factor. They have to look at the test
8 results of the water and all the other factors of when the children lived there, how
9 long they were exposed, and other exposures they had. Between the state
10 epidemiologist, Dr. Stern, and others who were involved, there wasn't a common
11 denominator.
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13 Chudek stated they looked at a lot of data from surrounding wells. They also
14 looked seriously at their exposures. He continued his presentation by discussing
15 the EPA study. They did a comprehensive study in the north part of the county.
16 They drilled their own holes every 1/4 mile in every direction around study site B.
17 They looked specifically for the actual source of elevated levels of 1,2 DCP. They
18 did a good job of looking at the area. By the time they finished, they determined
19 that no further action by the superfund program was warranted for the following
20 reasons: no contaminant source; no leaks, spills, or improper disposal of containers
21 were found; the levels they found could have been from legal application of the
22 product; there are implementation of interim measures to protect health; and there
23 are continued local efforts for a long -term alternative water supply. The produce
24 was there from a legal application. It is no longer being applied. Hopefully it will go
25 away because they are not adding to it. It doesn't appear likely there is an
26 underground contaminant source. They should begin to see reduced levels as time
27 goes on.
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29 Brenner stated they would see reduced levels in the shallower wells. She
30 questioned whether they would see continued contamination in the deeper areas.
31 Chudek stated he didn't know that they would remain in the deeper areas.
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33 Nelson stated it would settle deeper.
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35 Brown stated as it settles deeper, it also would deteriorate.
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37 Nelson stated it would bind with other chemicals and eventually dissipate.
38 That period of time will depend on solutions.
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40 Brown stated it is like DDT. It takes a long time.
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42 Brenner asked about the various well depths. Chudek stated the shallow well
43 designation is from 0 feet to 20 feet. Medium well depths are from 20 to 40 feet.
44 Deep well depths are from 40 feet to 500 feet.
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46 Brenner questioned whether they consider a 40 -foot well a deep well.
47 Chudek stated they do for this community.
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Nelson stated he believed the national standard is that 40 to 45 foot deep
well is an adequate well.
Chudek stated that in Whatcom County, most people don't find adequate
water sources multiple times before they stop drilling. They drill a hole and either
get a dry hole until they find their water source, or they have a shallow water
source. In Whatcom County, they typically have one nice aquifer that exists at
different levels.
Brown stated there is deeper water in Lynden, but it is salt water.
Chudek continued to state that the work done on the LENS study was done in
1990 or 1992. He highlighted certain points from that study. The first item was
that chloride concentrations found suggest that 70 percent of the aquifer has been
affected by land use activities. They are referring to the Sumas - Abbottsford
aquifer.
Brenner questioned why chloride concentrations show that the aquifer was
affected by land use activities. Chudek stated they could get chloride
concentrations from dairy operations. It is not naturally occurring. It can be
associated with fertilizers and other things.
Chudek continued to state there are widespread elevated nitrate levels.
Good new is that there is very limited pesticide contamination. The part that is not
good is they can already measure that 70 percent of the aquifer has already been
impacted.
Brenner questioned whether there is data to show that the widespread
elevated nitrate levels are getting better or worse. Chudek stated he didn't know.
They need to track a large number of the same wells over a long time period.
There are a number of agencies that have an interest in nitrates. The local health
department doesn't do that.
Chudek stated they also found compounds from laundry detergent. They are
beginning to determine where impacts on the aquifer are coming from. Another
local study was done at the migrant labor camp. They did not find any EDB in any
camps that use their own water source. They found 1,2 DCP in two wells. They
already knew about that. Nitrate levels were above or very near the maximum
contaminant level (MCL) in all but one of the camps. They found traces of
Ibuprofin, DEET, flame retardant, and herbicide in one well. That shows what can
be found today when water samples are done. They are talking about fractions of a
part per billion that are identifiable in drinking water. The Ibuprofin, DEET and
flame retardant are most likely from a problem with the clothes washing machine
water. DEET is the active ingredient in an insect repellant. They didn't find much
EDB or 1,2 DCP, but the testing is sensitive enough that they can find trace levels of
these products in the well. When someone says it isn't there, it isn't there. Page
19 tells about other sampling that has gone on. They also found out where all the
public water supply wells were in the county using handheld global position satellite
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 13
I (GPS) system that is accurate to one meter. They are in the process of mapping
2 those wells for the primary purpose of emergency response. They can also use that
3 information for the local water purveyor. Regarding public education, there are a
4 few projects.
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(Clerk's Note: End of tape one, side B.)
6. PUBLIC COMMENT
No one spoke.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:10 p.m.
Jill Nixon, Minutes Transcription
These minutes were approved by Council on February 22 , 2000.
ATTEST:
Dana Brown - Davis, Council Clerk
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Marlene Dawson, Council Chair
Board of Health, 12/17/99, Page 14