Oregon hazardous waste site that EHAP is currently assessing:

Redmond Tallow

On this page:

• In the News
• Reports
• Educational Materials
• Related Websites

In the winter of 2002, the Oregon Department of Human Services was advised by Deschutes County Environmental Health Department of groundwater contamination related to historical and current rendering plant activities at Redmond Tallow, a privately owned and operated business in central Oregon. In cooperation with county health personnel, ODHS evaluated the water testing data, recommended additional testing, and assessed the potential for human exposure to contaminated water on the site and in nearby private wells. The principal contaminant of concern is nitrate ion release into surface soil on the site.

On the basis of the sampling data and known health effects of nitrates, EHAP considers this site to be a public health risk. As further investigation into the causes and the extent of the contamination are ongoing, EHAP has made interim recommendations to personnel on the site to avoid using the drinking water system until the source of nitrate has been found and eliminated and the groundwater nitrate levels have returned to background levels.

In the News

• Public meeting to address groundwater nitrates at Redmond Tallow.
  [May 12, 2003]

Reports

• Public Health Consultation (PHC) (pdf) (final version)

Educational Materials

• Redmond Tallow Summary Factsheet (pdf
• Health Effects Factsheet (pdf)
  • Who is most likely to be affected by nitrates in the groundwater?
  • How can I prevent my family's exposure to high nitrate levels in water?
• Nitrates & Human Health Presentation (pdf)
   - by Dave Stone, Ph.D. Public Health Toxicologist.

Related Websites

• DEQ Cleanup site