As a result, DHHS developed a mailing list of interested parties. We would recommend that, in addition to the planned public meeting, materials on the cleanup and the short-term hazards be mailed to the people on DHHS' mailing list. People who live on properties abutting the river between the site and Avery Dam should be identified and added to the list. Many of these residents who abut the river have docks extending out into the water and would be at risk for exposure if contaminants were mobilized during the cleanup. Due to their smaller stature, children may breathe dust, soil, and heavy vapors close to the ground.
Children are also smaller, resulting in higher doses of chemical exposure per body weight.
The developing body systems of children can sustain permanent damage if certain toxic exposures occur during critical growth stages. Most importantly, children depend completely on adults for risk identification and management decisions, housing decisions, and access to medical care. The Messer Street MGP site may pose a significant health hazard to children and young adults since people in these age groups are more likely to swim or wade in the river and, therefore, would have an increased opportunity for exposure to coal tar in the sediments. Therefore, DHHS strongly supports the plan for remediation at the site.