Residents whose private well was contaminated with benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were evaluated for VOC exposure. The extent to which they may have ingested contaminated water before discovering that the well was contaminated was not certain. However, they reported continuing to use water obtained from the well for bathing and household sanitation purposes after becoming aware of its contamination. Each adult household member completed a survey questionnaire to quantify individual water usage and characterize other potential exposure sources for VOCs. Although results of blood measurements for benzene for three family members showed blood levels of benzene that were within the range found in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) results, Blood levels for two of the family members were above the 90th percentile value for the reference population. Trichloroethene was not a suspected contaminant, but blood specimens of three study participants showed elevations in the upper 10 percent of the NHANES III population range. Two of the participants gave an occupational history consistent with an exposure potential to these analytes.

"Final report." Cover title. "June 1991." "Final report: technical assistance to South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control." Microfiche.

ATSDR/HS-92/12.