“Yes, those numbers are high and they seem scary,” said Deborah McKean, chief of the Region 8 Toxicology and Human Health and Risk Assessment. “But it’s not just a matter of toxicity of the chemicals, it’s a matter of exposure.” She said the period of time those concentrations remain in one area is short.
Earlier Sunday the city of Durango, Colo., and La Plata County, Colo., declared a state of emergency. The Navajo Nation Commission on Emergency Management also issued a state of emergency declaration in response to the spill.
EPA officials said in the teleconference Sunday afternoon that water quality experts have been deployed to Shiprock and are encouraging people there to take advantage of water quality sampling.
EPA officials said they are also working to provide necessary materials to people in Farmington and Aztec for private well sampling.
New Mexico Environment Department spokeswoman Allison Scott-Majure said testing has not yet been performed in San Juan County.
In San Juan County, restrictions are still in effect along the Animas River, said County Executive Officer Kim Carpenter. The biggest obstacle, he said, is making sure residents and livestock have access to drinking water.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/nation/2015/08/09/navajo-nation-epa-spill/31384515/?hootPostID=%27ee0d3ee5ccd0dcd8d9054cfce6213ccc%27
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