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STUDIES UNDERWAY AT CREOSOTING PLANT <br /> The McCormick and Baxter Creosoting Company is studying <br /> contamination at its plant in Stockton (see map) . Studies <br /> indicate that wood treatment chemicals including creosote, <br /> arsenic, copper, and pentachlorophenol have contaminated <br /> soil and groundwater under the plant. Groundwater is water <br /> that exists in the soils or rocks under the ground surface. <br /> Some contaminants have moved in groundwater to the south- <br /> east, as far as 800 feet from the plant. In cooperation <br /> with state and local health and water quality agencies , <br /> cleanup programs are underway to solve these contamination <br /> problems. <br /> This newsletter has been mailed to you as part of a program <br /> to provide information on the site and its cleanup to the <br /> neighborhoods near the plant. If you would like more in- <br /> formation, you may contact any of the people listed below. <br /> Also, documents with more information are available for <br /> public review at the two information repositories in <br /> Stockton. <br /> Over the past 10 years, the McCormick and Baxter Creosoting <br /> Company has worked to improve plant operations. Cleanup <br /> programs have reduced concentrations of contaminants on and <br /> under the site, and have helped prevent further problems . <br /> The plant is currently operated under a permit issued by the <br /> California Department of Health Services. <br /> Because wood treatment chemicals can be hazardous to human <br /> health, the McCormick and Baxter Creosoting Company has tak- <br /> en steps to limit the possibility that people in the neigh- <br /> boring communities will be exposed to them. The company has <br /> repaired fences and hired a watchman to prevent trespassing. <br /> Measures to control dust are used. Studies have confirmed <br /> that groundwater in the study area is not used for drinking. <br /> Neighborhood water is supplied from water sources outside <br /> the area. Based on a preliminary public health risk assess- <br /> ment, people living near the creosote plant should not have <br /> any greater likelihood of health problems because of the <br /> contamination. <br /> This summer, additional groundwater monitoring wells will be <br /> drilled and tested. These wells will help further define <br /> how far contaminants have moved in groundwater southeast of <br /> the site. A public meeting will be held this fall when more <br /> study results are available. <br /> SAT90/88 <br />