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ATSDR Urine Arsenic Testing Team: Back row left to right: LCDR Matt Karwowski (ATSDR), Ben Gerhardstein (ATSDR), and CAPT Bruce Tierney (ATSDR). Front row left to right: Yolanda Sanchez (EPA) and Jamie Rayman (ATSDR).
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry was in Hayden and Winkelman on Oct. 25 – 28. ATSDR visited all the households who participated in arsenic testing in 2015 to offer arsenic retesting. ATSDR made many attempts, even calling on the head of households and were unable to contact the participants from the 2015 study. They also provided updates to Mayor Bracamonte of Winkelman, Mayor Bobby Smith of Hayden and HWUSD School Superintendent Gregorich.
ATSDR did collect urine samples from residents of 13 households for the urine arsenic retest. A laboratory at the Centers for Disease Control will be testing the samples and they will mail results letters directly to individuals. Officials at ATSDR have explained that they plan to develop and release a report of the community data. The Hayden-Winkelman School District provided a location for the urine testing to take place.
During their interaction with families, ATSDR also shared information from the Central Arizona Governments (CAG) about a lead paint abatement project and provided contact information for interested residents. More information on ATSDR’s 2015 investigation is available on its website.
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