The Public Health Toxicology Program in the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Health Services, works with communities and various state and federal agency officials to determine if contaminants in the environment are a health hazard. Some of our assessments include determining the amount of volatile organic compounds in the air, the amount of lead contamination in soil, the level of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in groundwater, or the amount of mercury in the biota of a body of water. If we determine that an existing health threat exists, the community is informed immediately and recommendations are provided to eliminate or reduce the hazard. Frequently, the Toxicology Program is asked to provide a written report that summarizes any potential health hazards, how individuals may be exposed, and recommendations to the public. Search the table below to find reports written from 2002 to the present.
Toxicology Staff
Dwight Flammia, Ph. D. – Public Health Toxicologist
dwight.flammia@vdh.virginia.gov 804 864-8127
Amy Hayes, Ph. D. – Health Assessor
amy.hayes@vdh.virginia.gov 804-864-8187
Staff Roles
Toxicologist – The toxicologist identifies potential health hazards in communities and determines what harmful effects will occur under certain exposure circumstances. The toxicologist makes recommendations to abate or reduce any exposure.
Health Assessor – A health assessor is responsible for investigating possible human exposures to toxic and hazardous substances and assessing the public health implications of such exposures. The health assessor evaluates data and makes recommendations to protect public health, and to prevent ongoing and future exposures and resultant health effects.
Exposure Assessment from 2002-present
| Locality | Contaminants | Environmental Media | Site Name | Document | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond city | methane, mold, naphthalene, formaldehyde | indoor air | A.V. Norrell Elementary School | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Richmond_Norrell-Elementary-LHC-01-17-2013.pdf | 2013 |
| Alexandria city | metals | dust | Alexandria City Public Schools-Maintenance Garage | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Alexandria-City-Public-Schools-Maintenance-Garage-8.8.2014.pdf | 2014 |
| Smith County | PM10 | outdoor air | American Wood Fibers | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/American-Wood-Fibers_LHC_01-10-2013.pdf | 2013 |
| Fairfax County | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-Tetrachloroethylene-2018.pdf | indoor air | Annandale PCE | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Annandale_PCE_Site_LHC-_07-01-2014.pdf | 2014 |
| Arlington | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-Tetrachloroethylene-2018.pdf | indoor air | Arlington Cleaners | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Fairlington-Cleaners-03-03-2017.pdf | 2017 |
| Arlington | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-Tetrachloroethylene-2018.pdf | indoor air | Arlington Cleaners | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Fairlington-Cleaners-LHC-02-07-18.pdf | 2018 |
| Westmoreland County | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/02/Trichloroethylene.FAQ2014.pdf | indoor air | Arrowhead Manufacturing Building | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Arrowhead-_-LHC-_-01-30-2013-pdf.pdf | 2013 |
| Portsmouth city | arsenic, PCBs, Dioxin, dieldrin, PAHs, | crabs, oysters | Atlantic Wood Industries | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Atlantic-Wood-Industries-6.6.2008.pdf | 2008 |
| Arlington | diesel exhaust | air | Bluemont Park | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Bluemont-Park-LHC-response-2-8-2018.pdf | 2018 |
| Hampton city | PCE, TCE, vinyl chloride | groundwater | Boulevard Cleaners | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Hampton_Boulevard-Cleaners-_10-26-2012.pdf | 2012 |
| Hannover County | uranium | well water | Calvary Pentecostal Camp | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Ashland_Calvary_pentecostal_camp_08_15_2013.pdf | 2013 |
| Bedford County | VOCs | drinking water | Chamblissburg | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/LHC-Chamblissburg-groundwater-09-21-2017.pdf | 2017 |
| Chesapeake city | Arsenic, Copper, Lead, Zinc, Benzo(a)pyrene | soil | Chesapeake Products | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Chesapeake-Products-Site-11.27.2006.pdf | 2006 |
| Winchester city | VOCs, carbonyls, toxic metals, hexavalent chromium | air | City of Winchester & Frederick County | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Winchester_4.3.pdf | 2015 |
| Wise County | lead | soil | Coeburn Produce Disposal | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Coeburn-Produce-Disposal-10.9.2003.pdf | 2003 |
| Fairfax County | VOCs, SVOCs, PM10, metals | air | Crumb Rubber | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Crumb-Rubber-Methods-Review-LHC-09-28-2015.pdf | 2015 |
| Danville city | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-PCBs-2018.pdf | fish | Dan River | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Dan-River-Fish-Tissue-PCBs-LHC-03-23-2016.pdf | 2016 |
| Danville city | heavy metals | fish | Dan River | Dan River Fish Tissue Metals 2014-2015 | 2017 |
| Danville city | heavy metals | fish | Dan River | Dan River Fish Tissue Metals 2014-2016 | 2017 |
| Danville city | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-PCBs-2018.pdf | fish | Dan River | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Dan-River-2016-Fish-PCB-LHC-01-25-2018.pdf | 2018 |
| Danville city | heavy metals | fish | Dan River | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2019/05/Dan-River-fish-metals-2014-2017-LHC-05-10-19.pdf | 2019 |
| Chesterfield County | environmental contaminants | surface water | Defense Supply Center Richmond | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Defense-General-Supply-Center-6.10.2002-1.pdf | 2002 |
| Chesterfield County | environmental contaminants | surface water | Defense Supply Center Richmond | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Defense-General-Supply-Center-4.4.2002-7.pdf | 2002 |
| Henrico County | VOCs | indoor air | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/DEQPiedemontIndoorAir-LHC.pdf | 2014 | |
| Pulaski County | VOCs | groundwater | Electroplate-Rite Corporation | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Dublin_Electroplate-Rite_LHCfinal_-09-23-2015_508.pdf | 2015 |
| Hampton city | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-Tetrachloroethylene-2018.pdf | groundwater | Former Fashion Care Cleaners | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Hampton_Former-Fashion-Care-Cleaners_08-21-2012.pdf | 2012 |
| Suffolk city | metals, dieldrin, PAHs, TNT, | soil, groundwater, surface water, sediments, fish | Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Former-Nansemond-Ordnance-Depot-2.19.2004.pdf | 2004 |
| Franklin County | fuel | groundwater | Grassy Hill Road | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Grassy-Hill-Rd-Johnstown-Rd-Contaminants-in-Well-Water.pdf | 2018 |
| Albemarle County | VOCs | groundwater | Greenwood Chemical | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Greenwood-Chemical-LHC-10-31-2017.pdf | 2017 |
| Hanover County | cancer assessment | air | H&H Burn Pit | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/HanoverCounty_HH-BurnPit_03-02-2016.pdf | 2016 |
| Loudoun County | VOCs | water | Hidden Lane Landfill | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Hidden-Lane-Landfill-4.6.2009.pdf | 2009 |
| Loudoun County | arsenic | drinking water | Hidden Lane Landfill | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Hidden-Lane-Landfill-11-23-2016.pdf | 2016 |
| Loudoun County | arsenic | drinking water | Hidden Lane Landfill | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Arsenic-limits-LHC-022317-Final-draft.pdf | 2017 |
| Alexandria city | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-Asbestos-2018.pdf | indoor air | Hunting Point on Potomac Apartment Complex | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Hunting-Point-_-LHC-final-_-12-4-2104_508.pdf | 2014 |
| Alexandria city | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-Asbestos-2018.pdf | indoor air | Hunting Point on Potomac Apartment Complex | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Hunting-Point-on-Potomac-Residential-Asbestos-4.21.2014.pdf | 2014 |
| Clarke County | gasoline | well water | J&J Corner Store | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Berryville_JJ_Corner_Store_3_3_2012.pdf | 2012 |
| Alleghany County | metals, organic compounds | groundwater, surface water, soil | Kim-Stan Landfill | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Alleghany_Kim-Stan-_02-18-2016.pdf | 2016 |
| Norfolk City | PAHs | oysters | Lafayette River PAHs | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Norfolk_Lafayette-River-PAHs_10-11-2012.pdf | 2012 |
| Norfolk City | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-PCBs-2018.pdf | oysters | Lafayette River PCBs | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Norfolk_Lafayette-River-PCBs_10.30.2012.pdf | 2014 |
| Norfolk City | PM10 | air | Lambert's Point | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Lamberts-point-PM10-LHC-7-19-2017-FINAL.pdf | 2017 |
| Virginia Beach city | PAHs | oysters | Lynnhaven River | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/VirginiaBeach_Lynnhaven-River1.14.2014pdf.pdf | 2014 |
| Rockingham County | Chloramine, Endotoxin | air | Massanutten Waterpark | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/LHC-Massanutten-WaterPark_final.pdf | 2017 |
| Virginia Beach city | metals, PCBs, VOCs | fish, crab | Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Naval-Amphibious-Base-Little-Creek-9.25.2003-Part-1.pdf | 2003 |
| Virginia Beach city | metals, PCBs, VOCs | fish, crab | Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Naval-Amphibious-Base-Little-Creek-9.25.2003-Part-2..pdf | 2003 |
| King George County | fuel, oils, solvents, acids, paint, pesticides, ammunitions, ordinance and explosive materials. | fish, water, soil | Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Naval-Support-Facility-NSF-Dahlgren-10.11.2006.pdf | 2006 |
| New Kent County | chromium, copper, arsenic | groundwater | New Kent Wood Preservatives | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/ProvidenceForge_New-Kent_-06-16-2015.pdf | 2015 |
| New Kent County | chromium, copper, arsenic | soil | New Kent Wood Preservatives | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/ProvidenceForge_New-Kent-Soil_-03-02-2016.pdf | 2016 |
| Prince William County | pesticides, metals, PCBs | fish | Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Woodbridge_OBNWR-fish-tissue-10.30.2014.pdf | 2014 |
| Portsmouth city | metals, PCBs | soil, sediment | Peck Iron and Metal | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Peck-Iron-and-Metal-12.12.2011.pdf | 2011 |
| Pittsylvania County | Uranium, radium | drinking water | Pittsylvania Well Water | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/PittsylvaniaWellWaterLHC4.16.2014.pdf | 2014 |
| Portsmouth city | VOCs, SVOCs, petroleum hydrocarbons, mercury vapor, metals, cyanide | soil, groundwater, air | Portsmouth Manufactured Gas Plant | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Portsmouth-Manufactured-Gas-Plant-4.24.2003.pdf | 2003 |
| Wise County | lead, PCBs | soil | Powell Lead | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Powell-Lead-Site_LHC_08-31-2016.pdf | 2016 |
| Pulaski County | lead | Radford Army Ammunition Plant | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/New-River-Childhood-Blood-Lead_VA_LHC-07-1-2014.pdf | 2014 | |
| Pulaski County | lead | drinking water | Radford Army Ammunition Plant | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Radford-Army-Ammunition-Plant_HC_Final_01-28-2015.pdf | 2015 |
| Richmond County | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/FAQ-PCBs-2018.pdf | fish | Rappahannock, James, and Potomac Rivers | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/08/Rappahannock-James-Potomac-Fish-Tissue-LHC-1-25-2018.pdf | 2018 |
| Multiple Counties | heavy metals | fish | Rappahannock, James, and Potomac Rivers | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2019/05/2017-Multiple-Waterways-Metals-Fish-Tissue-LHC-05-10-2019.pdf | 2019 |
| Multiple Counties | PCBs | fish | Rappahannock, James, and Potomac Rivers | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2019/05/2017-Multiple-Waterways-PCBs-Fish-Tissue-LHC-05-21-2019.pdf | 2019 |
| Suffolk city | methyl bromide | air | Royal Fumigation | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Suffolk_Royal-Fumigation_09-24-2012.pdf | 2012 |
| Henrico County | PCE, TCE | indoor air | Sandston PCE | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Henrico_Sandston_9-30-2015-revised.pdf | 2015 |
| Tazewell County | metals, VOCs, PAHs | soil, sediment, surface water | Simmons Rand Property | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/01/Richlands_Simmons_Rand_PHA_1-14-14.pdf | 2014 |
| Suffolk city | methyl bromide | air | Western Fumigation | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Suffolk_Western-Fumigation-_-LHC-VA_-07-31-2012.pdf | 2012 |
| Hopewell city | VOCs | outdoor air | Woodson Middle School | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Hopewell_WoodsonMiddleSchool-VOCs-11-23-2015.pdf | 2015 |
| Hopewell city | metals, carbonyls | outdoor air | Woodson Middle School | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2016/04/Hopewell_WoodsonMiddleSchool-Metals_Carbonyls-02-04-2016.pdf | 2015 |
| Portsmouth city | lead | soil | Abex Corporation | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/10/Portsmouth-City-Lead-Analysis-LHC-09-07-2018.pdf | 2018 |
| Chesapeake | arsenic | fish, shellfish | Chesapeake Energy | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/10/Chesapeake-Energy-Biota-Report-LHC-06-13-2018-FINAL.pdf | 2018 |
| Pulaski County | lead | air | Radford Army Ammunition Plant | https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/12/2018/12/ATSDRLetterHC_12-13-18_RadfordAAP.pdf | 2018 |
| Statewide | Salmonella, Adenoviruses, Reoviruses, Ascaris | biosolids | Multiple sites | Land Applied Biosolids Epidemiological Pilot Study and Pathogen Content Analysis | 2019 |
| Statewide | arsenic, mercury | fish | Multiple watersheds | Evaluation of Metals in Fish from Virginia Watersheds in 2021 | 2022 |
| Statewide | PCBs | fish | Multiple watersheds | Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Fish from Virginia Watersheds in 2021 | 2022 |
| Chesterfield County | lead | water, soil, fugitive dust | C&R Battery Co., Inc. | Evaluation of C&R Battery 2018 5-Year Review for Public Health Impact | 2022 |