Health Consultation: Childhood Blood Lead Analysis Near the Gerdau Ameristeel Plant, Sayreville, Middlesex County, New Jersey

摘要

The Gerdau Ameristeel Plant, located on North Crossman Road in Sayreville, Middlesex County, NJ, began operating over 100 years ago and has been part of Gerdau Ameristeel since October 2002. The plant is an active facility that receives and processes over 600,000 tons of scrap metal annually in the production of rebar and other products. The plant is located approximately 750 feet west of the nearest residence within the Horseshoe Road neighborhood, 1000 feet northeast of the nearest residence in the Kimball Drive neighborhood; and approximately 3200 feet east of the nearest residence of the Sheffield Towne Square neighborhood. It is also located approximately 500 feet to the southwest of the Horseshoe Road/Atlantic Resources Superfund site. Dust and particulate matter, noise and odors emanating from the plant have resulted in numerous complaints by area residents. In order to work with its neighbors and other stakeholders potentially impacted by the plants operation, the plant established the Gerdau Ameristeel Community Advisory Panel. The GACAPs organizing meeting took place on August 9, 2007. The NJDHSS was invited to attend and began participating in September. At the September meeting members developed and prioritized a list of concerns relating to the plant; the health aspects of exposure to dust was the highest ranked concern.