Oregon hazardous waste site that EHAP is currently assessing:

North Ridge Estates

On this page:

• In the News
• Reports
• Educational Materials
• Related Websites

North Ridge Estates subdivision, north of Klamath Falls
In the summer of 2002, over 49 tons of fragments asbestos-containing material (ACM) were removed from the surface of 30 lots in the North Ridge Estates subdivision three miles north of Klamath Falls. The ACM are remnants from the demolition of the Marine Recuperational Barracks, a complex of over 80 buildings constructed in 1944 to provide care for soldiers recovering from tropical diseases. DEQ contacted the DHS Environmental Health Assessment Program (EHAP) to assess the health risks from exposure to fibers in the soil from ACM fragments.

EHAP investigated the site and completed a Public Health Consultation (PHC) in 2003 which concluded that, due to the known health risks from exposure to friable (brittle or crumbling) asbestos, and due to the volume and extent of site coverage of friable ACM fragments on the site now and in the past, North Ridge Estates is considered a past and present public health hazard (see glossary). Existing and potential physical hazards at the site are considered a public health hazard as well. The PHC (see glossary) also includes recommendations for a more specific site assessment, including sampling of soil for asbestos fibers and lead.

In the News

• Officials to discuss North Ridge Estates health risk findings - May 5, 2003
• DHS releases report on health risk at North Ridge Estates, public comment requested - April 22, 2003

Reports

Two follow up health consultations were completed; the first addresses health hazards related to the presence of lead and the second identifies and responds to community concerns of the affected community.

• Historical Public Health Consultation (PHC) (pdf)
• Lead Sampling at North Ridge Estates PHC (pdf)
• Community Concerns PHC (pdf)

Educational Materials

• Soil Safety Poster (pdf)
• Lead Fact Sheet FAQS (pdf)
  • What do the lead sampling results at North Ridge Estates mean for my family and me?
• Asbestos Summary Factsheet April 2003 (pdf)
  • What can I do to reduce my family?s health risks from exposure to asbestos?
  • What does the PHC report say?
• North Ridge Lead Sampling Results & Health Consultation Recommendations (pdf)
• More about asbestos...

Related Websites

• DEQ's Cleanup Site
• EPA Webpage on North Ridge Estates
  • Memo to EPA on lead sampling (pdf)
• DEQ Wepage on North Ridge Estates
• ATSDR ToxFAQ for Asbestos
  This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about asbestos.
• ATSDR Public Health Statement for Asbestos
  This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Asbestos. It is one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects.
• OSHA Asbestos Fact Sheet
  A websote that informs workers how to use better protection against asbestos in the workplace.
• American Cancer Society Asbestos Fact Sheet
  An asbestos fact sheet that details exposure, health effects, positions of expert agencies, and some steps to avoid exposure.