The Arizona Department of Health Services reviewed existing data and performed a health consultation to evaluate the potentially adverse health effects due to VOCs created by air emissions from the Miller Road Treatment Facility. Prior to the existence of our current environmental regulations, local industries improperly disposed of organic solvents directly onto the ground or into dry wells. This subsequently contaminated all three levels of the aquifer.

The W.R. Grace facility in Phoenix, Arizona, received vermiculite concentrate from the Libby, Montana, vermiculite mine. W.R. Grace Company has owned and operated the Arizona site since 1964. In 1964 W.R. Grace purchased the company that had previously occupied the site and, following the relocation of its vermiculite exfoliation furnace from Glendale, Arizona, began processing vermiculite concentrate and marketing it under the Zonolite® brand. The objective of this health consultation is to evaluate exposure pathways and potential health effects in those persons who, between 1964 and 2002, may have been exposed to Libby asbestos as a result of vermiculite concentrate processing activities and waste materials from the W.R. Grace exfoliation facility in Phoenix.

The officials of Sunnyside High School District and a United States Representative have expressed great concerns regarding the potential adverse health effects due to beryllium exposure in the vicinity of Brush Ceramic Products. The Arizona Department of Health Services was asked to determine whether beryllium released from Brush Ceramic’s plant poses a health threat to school children and employees, and residents in the vicinity of the facility.

This health consultation evaluates results of irrigation well samples collected by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in October 2003. Previous results obtained by the Blue Ridge Elementary School District in the summer of 2003 indicated trichloroethylene levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Maximum Contaminant Level. In addition, the most recent (2002) Annual Water Quality Report from the drinking water supplier, Arizona Water Company, was reviewed. A previous health consultation (Blue Ridge Elementary School, Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona Health Consultation-April 30, 2003) reviewed environmental conditions at Blue Ridge Elementary School. Parents and school staff were concerned that environmental exposures were causing students to be absent from school. Drinking water quality reports, indoor air quality data, food safety, environmental sanitation records, student attendance rates, and the results of an annual parent satisfaction survey were evaluated in the consultation. Arizona Department of Health Services concluded that environmental conditions at Blue Ridge Elementary School posed no apparent public health hazard, and that attendance rates were similar to statewide attendance rates. As part of the 2003 health consultation, ADHS requested that the school district conduct water sampling from the on-site irrigation water wells for the school grounds. Those sampling results were not available when the 2003 health consultation was completed.

The purpose of this health consultation is to evaluate the air monitoring conducted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality at Mary McLeod Bethune School (Phoenix, AZ) and evaluate the potential impact on public health. The air monitoring data includes particulate matter and metals. The ADEQ’s primary objective of this air sampling is to provide an understanding of the hazardous air pollutants in the Phoenix area.

This report evaluates the potential exposure pathways associated with vermiculite concentrate processing activities at the Ari-Zonolite facility. The site is located in the near downtown area of Glendale, approximately ½ mile from the city hall, downtown shops, and other buildings. The former Ari-Zonolite facility received vermiculite from the Libby, Montana, mine. From 1951 to 1964, the site was leased the site to the Ari-Zonolite Company. Following the removal of the vermiculite concentrate processing equipment in 1964, several businesses have occupied the site. None of these businesses were involved in vermiculite processing activities. The last occupant of the former vermiculite processing building was an automotive restoration business, which vacated the site in 2002.

Located in northwest Arizona, the Hualapai Indian Reservation is comprised of five separate areas totaling more than 1 million acres and includes portions of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon. The reservation has a tribal enrollment of approximately 2,269 persons, and nearly half of the enrolled members reside in Peach Springs. Located along Historic Route 66, Peach Springs is the capital of the Hualapai Nation and home to the Peach Springs School District, tourist facilities and numerous tribal government facilities. The Hualapai Indian Tribe maintains approximately 50 miles of paved roadways in various conditions and more than 600 miles of unpaved roadways. Major routes within the study area include State Route 66, Diamond Bar Road, Diamond Creek Road, Indian Route 18 and Buck and Doe Road.

Located along the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon and Historic Route 66, tourism is the leading economic generator for the Hualapai Indian Tribe. Opened in 2007, the Grand Canyon Skywalk received approximately 800,000 visitors last year and Hualapai tribal staff have estimated a 20 percent increase in tourists if roadway improvements are made to Diamond Bar Road. To encourage additional tourism and development, it is vital that the tribe's multimodal transportation infrastructure is capable of supporting new economic endeavors.

With the ultimate goal of enhancing safety, accessibility, mobility and economic growth, the primary purpose of this study will be to develop a multimodal Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) to serve as a guiding document for the tribe to implement transportation improvements. The study will identify current and future transportation deficiencies; provide transportation improvement recommendations over the next five-, 10- and 20-year horizon periods; identify potential funding sources; and provide the tribe with a phased transportation implementation plan.

The study will accomplish these goals:

    Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of major roadways within the Hualapai Indian Reservation.
    Evaluate vehicular traffic congestion and circulation issues.
    Identify pedestrian and bicycle needs.
    Develop roadway design standards.
    Identify methods to preserve existing transportation infrastructure.
    Identify specific improvement strategies to address the needs of the study area.
    Prepare a maintenance plan.
    Develop a three-phased Improvement Plan that promotes safety and mobility, supports economic development and improves community livability.

The objective of the Verde Valley Master Transportation Study (VVMTS) is to provide the participating members of the Verde Valley Transportation Planning Organization (VVTPO) an update on the performance of the major roads in their respective jurisdictions and provide an implementation planning tool for programming of funds for improvement of their transportation system. This regional collaboration will also provide a performance measure of how the transportation system as a whole is operating in the Verde Valley.