The objective of this assessment is to evaluate whether a public health hazard exists as a result of environmental exposures in Hayden and Winkelman, Arizona, located near a smelter operated by ASARCO, Inc. Some of the residents of these towns have expressed concerns that metals from smelter emissions over the years have been causing health problems. This report uses environmental data collected from water, soil, and air in the Hayden and Winkelman area to estimate environmental exposures. The study also evaluates available health outcome data from previous epidemiological and biological-monitoring studies conducted in the area. The report concludes that exposure to sulfur dioxide occasionally poses a short-term public health hazard to sensitive asthmatics. These episodes of higher levels of sulfur dioxide occur infrequently. They do not appear to pose a health hazard to persons without sensitive airways or asthma. Other environmental exposures do not appear to pose a public health hazard.

The Santa Cruz County Health Department and the sheriff's office, along with the U.S. Border Patrol have expressed concerns regarding incidental contact with the water in Nogales Wash, Arizona. The public has expressed significant concern about direct public exposure to waters flowing in the wash. The Arizona Department of Health Services completed this health consultation to evaluate the levels of organic and inorganic chemicals at the request of the Santa Cruz County Health Department.