A cause for concern - Bradenton Herald - February 20, 1999

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The discovery of arsenic on the grounds of Head Start's preschool property

is cause for cautious concern, but not panic.

The arsenic was found in debris buried more than two decades ago by

Tropicana Products Inc., which then owned the site and used it for a

landfill.

A cause for concern

Arsenic contamination alarming, but danger minimized

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ISSUE: Arsenic discovered on Head Start school property.

WE SUGGEST: Reports indicate little or no risk to children, but parents

should stay alert and calm.

The discovery of arsenic on the grounds of Head Start's preschool property

is cause for cautious concern, but not panic.

The arsenic was found in debris buried more than two decades ago by

Tropicana Products Inc., which then owned the site and used it for a

landfill.

Parents can take some comfort in test results that show the arsenic found

poses little or no risk to students and Head Start staff, according to Chris

Teaf, a toxicologist hired by Tropicana to review the site.

``There's no danger to the children, that's our only concern,'' Teaf told

Head Start officials and parents. ``We know enough about the site to make

that judgment.''

According to Teaf, the amount of arsenic found in most of the Head Start

property is close to the natural levels occurring in soil. However, tests

did identify ``hot spots'' slightly above federal guidelines, therefore

Tropicana's concern to make sure students are safe.

What risk do those ``hot spots'' pose?

We are not sure. Tropicana has not released the full report, and all we have

are Teaf's assurances and explanations of test findings. We will feel more

confident of Teaf's findings when we can review the actual test results.

However, we do know that no hot spots were found on Head Start playgrounds.

The areas where arsenic levels do exceed federal guidelines are in a remote

wooded area where children do not play. Those areas have been fenced off.

It appears Tropicana acted swiftly and responsibly once the company knew of

the buried waste.

But questions do remain concerning who knew what when.

The school board conducted the first phase of testing in September in

analyzing the property as a possible site for a new elementary school.

That's when a backhoe dug up the debris.

Tropicana assumed responsibility and paid for the next two stages of testing

that determined arsenic was present. Teaf is the environmental consultant

Tropicana hired to analyze those test results.

It must be noted that Tropicana broke no laws when the debris was buried two

decades ago. Environmental regulations were not as strict then as they are

now concerning the disposal of toxic waste.

Indeed, the presence of arsenic on Head Start's property raises

uncomfortable questions about what might have been buried elsewhere in the

county when no one thought or knew of long-range ramifications in disposing

of toxic wastes.

Tropicana has changed ownership twice since the debris was buried, so it is

left to current management to rectify poor decision made in the past. From

what we know, it appears Tropicana is doing all it can to determine the risk

and protect children and Head Start staff, including paying for hair sample

tests of all students and staff to measure arsenic exposure.

Moreover, Tropicana has indicated interest in buying back the site from the

school board which leases the land to Head Start.

Two options are under discussion: capping the site or relocating Head Start.

The school board has no plans to use the land and would like to sell it,

according to Assistant Superintendent Beverly O'Brien.

Parents should also take comfort in Head Start director Gwendolyn Brown's

swift action to share with parents what she knew as soon as she was informed

of Teaf's findings.

However, only a thorough review of the complete report by local, state and

federal health officials will determine the safety of the Head Start site.

In the meantime we urge parents to remain very cautious but calm. Ask

questions and rely on facts, not rumors.