Do the ATSDR studies and the water modeling effort take into account the benzene information?
The studies and the water modeling include benzene as well as the other contaminants (TCE, PCE, DCE, vinyl chloride) found in the Hadnot Point drinking water system. (Benzene was not detected in the Tarawa Terrace drinking water system.) One supply well serving the Hadnot Point drinking water system was heavily contaminated with benzene. This well, “#602”, was sampled in July 1984 and found to have 380 per billion (ppb) of benzene. The current drinking water standard for benzene is 5 ppb. Well #602 was in operation during the July 1984 sample. However about 20 other wells that were not contaminated with benzene were also operating at the time. Water from all these wells was mixed together at the treatment plant before entering the drinking water system. Therefore, the level of benzene in the drinking water system would be much less than the level detected in well #602. Well #602 was placed out of service in late November 1984. Benzene was detected at 120 ppb and 720 ppb in two samples
