Draft Minutes, HMRC Committee

7 February 2003

The committee met at 3 in the Library. Present at the meeting were Dan Schueler, Rita Schenck Nan Hammett and Mary Ellen Walker from the community and Bonnie Meyers from Public Health Seattle-King County.

The minutes were accepted as written. The agenda was accepted with modifications

Rita gave an update on the phytoremediation results. The information was shared with the county, who shared it with many within the state. Ron Sims, King County administrator, was informed. It has been rather difficult to identify an appropriate health standard for Cadmium. ATSDR and the World Health Organization do not agree.

Rita suggested a communication plan for the community vis-à-vis these results. She suggested that a fact sheet or brochure be developed to communicate the results, in time for the next symposium, and that an article be written for the paper. The committee approved this approach.

Rita also reported out on the soil amendments project. A committee has been formed, but has not yet met. It includes representatives from three fertilizer vendors, the garden club and the Washington Toxics Coalition.

Dan reported about the Wade Area Contamination Committee. He was greatly impressed by the over-representation of business and government interests, and that the committee seems to be downplaying and not addressing real health issues.

Nan updated us on IRPPC. A note from Kathy Seel of DOE expressed great concern about the January HMRC minutes. She said that DOE could not approve funds for alternative medicine or for a speaker whose sole topic was cadmium, nor could she fund food at any symposium. Nan reminded Kathy that what the HMRC does is not the same as what IRPPC does. Kathy was invited again to attend IRPPC board meetings. Since neither alternative medicine practitioners nor a single-metal focus speaker are planned for the upcoming symposium, it appears that Kathy's limitations do not apply. However, Nan's original question, about whether more than $500 could be given as an honorarium was not answered.

IRPPC is negotiating a contract with Earthworks, on Whidbey Island to take over the work of Kleinfelter.

We discussed the handbook. Mary Ellen shared a great deal of information about the nutrition of heavy metals and what sorts of advice one should give people for their health on the island. Some of that information was very technical and it was decided that Mary Ellen and Rita would revise the handbook to better incorporate the depth of detail that was available.

Bonnnie updated us on King County's progress. The nailbrushes are at last here! Only a few have arrived out of the 40,000 ordered, and Bonnie shared three dozen with us. Nan took a box for the school, and Rita has the remainder at the IERE offices for whomever would like them. KC will have a booth at the plant show. She needs volunteers for the 9 to 12 slot on Wednesday, Friday 3-6, and 6 to 9:30. Contact Bonnie if you want to help.

Our next meeting is Friday, March 7th at the Library at 3:00

Respectfully Submitted,

Rita Schenck

 

 

Heavy Metal Remediation Committee Meeting Agenda

7 February 2003

3-5 pm in Library

Review/accept minutes

Review/accept agenda

Old Business

New Business