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Research Findings: Data Collection on Toxicity of Dust Palliatives Used in Alaska
Citation:
McTigue, E., JohnH Zimmerman, B. Duncan, L. Bertelsen, N. Gavrelis, AND M. Deng. Research Findings: Data Collection on Toxicity of Dust Palliatives Used in Alaska. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-16/166, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
This project was created in direct response to questions received from a number of Alaskan tribes and communities about the safety of dust suppressant products. The overarching goal is to evaluate existing knowledge and data gaps on the potential toxicity of palliatives used in Alaska as they relate to possible exposures among the Alaska Native population. Evidence compiled for this project is intended to assist EPA in determining whether palliatives used in the state are safe for use in Alaskan villages, particularly in the context of impacts on subsistence resources and the potential risk to Alaska Natives.
Description:
The use of palliatives in the state of Alaska has raised various concerns, including the potential impacts on traditional subsistence resources, possible effects on the environment, and unknown human health risks from exposure. Several rural communities have expressed concerns about palliatives through an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) survey about dust in 2010. ADEC found that many communities were willing to try chemical dust palliatives, but they wanted more information on the potential toxicity, effects on human health, and effects on the environment, such as the extent of contamination (ADEC, 2010a). This research effort sought to find information to address the stated concerns of Alaskan tribes and communities. But while manufacturers and independent agencies have conducted some testing of products, information from subject matter experts and the literature indicates limited documented knowledge and research on the environmental impacts and health effects of dust palliative use in Alaska. Studies on palliatives have been conducted in locations outside of Alaska, but findings cannot necessarily be extrapolated to Alaska’s unique environment given the variation in results that may come with different study parameters and location conditions. This report does provide information on studies conducted elsewhere to provide perspective (e.g., plant toxicity studies in Colorado and Texas), but it is important to note that only field tests in Alaska can provide accurate predictions of dust palliative performance and impacts in the state.