Tag: West Virginia Bureau for Public Health

State Health Officials, Water Company Say Reports of Formaldehyde Are 'Misleading', 'Unfounded'

Officials from the Bureau for Public Health and West Virginia American Water released separate statements regarding Dr. Scott Simonton’s testimony Wednesday to Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on State Water Resources, calling his remarks on the discovery of formaldehyde in the water of a Charleston restaurant “unfounded”, “misleading”, and “irresponsible.”

In a release from the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, Commissioner and State Health Officer Dr. Letitia Tierney said experts who have been assisting the state through this response say that the only way possible for formaldehyde to come from MCHM is if it were combusted at 500°F. 
 
Dr. Tierney cited The World Health Organization (WHO) and says formaldehyde is the most frequent aldehyde found in nature and is naturally measurable in air and water.  Formaldehyde is created through the normal breakdown cycle of plants and animals. 

“Formaldehyde dissolves easily in water and does not last a long time in water,” said Dr. Tierney in the statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

“Additionally, formaldehyde is naturally produced in very small amounts in our bodies as a part of our normal, everyday metabolism and causes no harm,” she added.
 
The Bureau for Public Health says they are unaware of Dr. Simonton’s testing procedures and notes they are interested in finding out whether another issue is affecting Vandalia Grill.

In a separate statement, West Virginia American Water said the following:

“We believe it is misleading and irresponsible to voice opinions on potential health impacts to residents of this community without all of the facts. Procedures for water analysis are carefully prescribed, outlined and certified. West Virginia American Water will continue working with governmental health and environmental professionals and, in conjunction with these professionals, we and  public health agencies will make public any reliable, scientifically sound  information relating to risks to public health, if any. As a regulated water utility, West Virginia American Water adheres to industry best practices and is in compliance with all federal and state regulations and guidelines.”

Flu Activity Widespead in W.Va.

Flu activity is widespread in West Virginia and a state epidemiologist says this year’s season could be severe.
 
     Widespread activity means increases in flu-related outpatient visits, lab-confirmed flu cases and incidents of influenza outbreaks have been reported in at least half of the state’s eight surveillance regions.
 
     Bureau for Public Health epidemiologist and influenza coordinator Shannon McBee says there’s no sign that flu cases are declining.
 
     McBee tells the Charleston Daily Mail that physician reports to the state’s surveillance system show 4.5 percent of all visits are for “influenza-like-illness.”
 
     Several adult flu-related deaths have been reported in Cabell and Putnam counties. One pediatric death has been reported in Jefferson County.
 
     Flu season typically peaks sometime in January or February.

W.Va. Health Department Advises Pregnant Women Drink Bottled Water

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, based on a letter sent to Secretary Karen Bowling from the CDC, is advising pregnant women in the West Virginia American Water service area affected by last week’s chemical spill in the Elk River to drink bottled water.

A news release says the Health Department consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the CDC recommends pregnant women continue drinking bottled water until there are no longer detectable levels of the chemical in the water distribution system.

However,  the CDC did re-affirm previous advice that it does not anticipate any adverse health effects from levels less than 1 ppm.

The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health–in conjunction with the CDC–has also issued a FAQ for the consumption of water by pregnant women.

The Health Department also released the following letter from the CDC:

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