MINUTES
EASTHAM BOARD OF HEALTH WORKSHOP
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2014 AT 9:00AM
Present: Dr. Joanna Buffington, Dr. Martin Haspel, Dr. James Taylor, Chair, Jane Crowley, Susan Barker, Wally Adams
Absent: Beverly Knox, Glenn Olson
I.
OPENING STATEMENTS
Municipal Water Proposal - $45,000,000 system would provide 80% of the town with fire protection. It indicates that the well will be in District H and the well would be tested for standard drinking water protocols. This testing would not include pharmaceuticals. Permitting requirements for this would be for all 3 sites.
II.
LANDFILL
1,4 Dioxane Discussion
Landfill Update
A general discussion took place regarding clear and concise communication to the public to help all understand. The communication should be understandable to the public and not in scientific terms that cannot be understood. The BOH agreed to make a statement and have it sent to the newspaper for publication.
III.
PREVENTION REPORT
Risk Communication: Working with Individuals and Communities to Weigh the Odds
The following is a list of points Jane provided to consider:
a. Eastham has a community problem that requires a community solution
b. The best practice is to limit exposure as low as possible. This applies to all toxic substances and carcinogens. The Eastham Landfill is not going away and it cannot be removed, ever.
c. Recently, 1,4 Dioxane has been detected in over 30 wells tested, within the study area down gradient of the Eastham Landfill, exceeding the proposed state guideline of 0.3 ug/L.
d. 1,4 Dioxane is not the first water contaminant coming from the Landfill.
e. Drinking water standards are developed to be protective of the population and provide low health risk. This does not mean there is no health risk. This does not mean all contaminants are detected every time a sample is conducted.
f. Risk Standards or limits provide a warning system. Detections at or above the guidelines indicate action should be taken. State DEP Regulations require water not to be consumed at levels over 0.3 ug?l for 1,4 Dioxane. Doing nothing is not an option for Eastham.
g. The combined effect of 1,4 Dioxane with other chemicals we are exposed to is next to impossible to quantify. The actual risk is unknown.
h. The goal of public health is prevention. By safeguarding exposure to potential carcinogens there is an opportunity to prevent possible health effects.
i. Therefore, the Eastham Board of Health supports the opinion that the best course of action is to establish a protected source of drinking water that is monitored – a municipal water system for the people of Eastham.
Forms of communication include newspaper articles, updates on the Town website, guest editorials, public meetings, and presentations. These communications must include the information in the noted above and be presented in a format that can clearly be understood by the residents of Eastham.
IV.
OTHER BUSINESS
The BOH discussed a Health Day for the Town of Eastham. All agreed it was a good idea. Jane will invite Mary Devlin to the next BOH Meeting.
V.
ADJOURN
Dr. James Taylor made the motion to adjourn at 10:05AM
Dr. Martin Haspel seconded the motion.
SO VOTED UNAMIMOUSLY
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