An EPA toxicologist will be in Columbia Falls Thursday night to talk about a forthcoming human health risk assessment for the CFAC Superfund Site.
The assessment is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s ongoing oversight of the former aluminum smelter’s clean up. It will estimate the type and likelihood of adverse health impacts for people who may have been exposed to contamination.
CFACwas named a Superfund site in September 2016. At the time, the EPA said contamination concerns included fluoride, cyanide and various metals. Subsequent soil and groundwater sampling have confirmed that areas within the site have elevated levels of cyanide, and an underground plume of the contaminant is slowly moving toward the Flathead River.
The health risk assessment is not yet available. EPA staff will be on hand to give site updates and answer questions as part of a regular meeting of the community liaison panel. The meeting is Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the North Valley Hospital Tea Kettle Community Room in Columbia Falls.