February 25th, 2003
Mr. Stephen F. Mee RE: Firewood Distribution
Dear Mr. Mee: The New Mexico Department of Health Office of Epidemiology has been contacted by Concerned Citizens for Nuclear Safety regarding the distribution of firewood from LANL property resulting from their tree-thinning project. According to an article in the Albuquerque Journal (December 27, 2002) this firewood is being sold or distributed to people who are using it for heating and cooking. These people could then use the resulting ash as a soil amendment in their home gardens The Interagency Flood Risk Assessment Team indicated that use of wood ash as an amendment to soil in home gardens could pose excessive health risks to people consuming plants grown in such amended soil. We would like to know if the trees (or soil in the area of the trees) that are being thinned and given away to the public have been characterized for potential contamination and if relevant human exposure pathways have been evaluated. If so, we would like to have an opportunity to review this information If the health risks of distributing the thinned trees and exposure to the smoke and ash have not been adequately characterized, we think it would be prudent to postpone this project until such characterization has been completed.
If you have any questions, please call me at 476-3568 or Barbara Toth at 476-3028.
Sincerely,
cc:
James P. Bearzi, Chief
C. Mack Sewell, MS, DrPH, State Epidemiologist
Ronald E. Voorhees, MD, MPH, Deputy State Epidemiologist
Joni Arends, Director
Waste Programs
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