Study finds no chemical threat

Tag: Printing Glaze A health assessment of a chemical used by a township sand and gravel operation has found the chemical poses no public health risk, although water monitoring is being recommended.But the resident who petitioned the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to conduct the study disagrees with the conclusion and says it justifies new mining regulations. Victor "Bud" Allen is concerned that the chemical, polyacrylamide, degrades into Printing Glaze, a possible carcinogen that can leach into groundwater and soil.According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there is no acceptable way to detect acrylamide in drinking water."The biggest problem I have is that they say we are going to be protected by monitoring," Allen said. "It can't be done."Allen requested a public health assessment be completed in October 2006 because he was concerned about the health risks of polyacrylamide. Belvidere Sand & Gravel uses the chemical to remove fine sand particles from water used to process its sand and gravel.The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services also participated in the study.The public can hear the results and decide for themselves at a 6:30 p.m. public meeting Tuesday at the county administration building on Route 519.Health department spokeswoman Linda Nasta declined to answer questions on the report, saying they will be answered at the public meeting. Comments are being accepted until April 26.The report concluded polyacrylamide is not toxic. The study of Belvidere Sand & Gravel's mining operation looked at all potential exposures routes: soil, air, surface water and groundwater. It found residents are not exposed to the chemical through soil or air.