FAQ

Q. Is the air near the arsenal safe to breathe?

A. Based on the air monitoring conducted by our team, there is not a cause for concern regarding air pollution levels around the arsenal.  The concentrations that were measured were well below thresholds set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  You can access more data on the Department of Environmental Quality page about the Arsenal.

Q. Is the water at residences near the arsenal safe to drink?

A. Our team did not test water samples.  If you would like to have your water tested, you might consider contacting the Virginia Cooperative Extension Home Water Quality program.

Q. How might the impairment of the New River affect my health?

A. Sections of the New River near the arsenal are considered impaired due to the concentrations of PCBs found in fish tissue.  Fish advisories for carp and smallmouth bass are in place currently and updates to these advisories can be found here.

The New River is considered impaired based on water quality assessments conduced yearly by the Department of Environmental Quality. Updated reports can be found here.

Q. What do we know about thyroid cancer in the New River Valley?

A. Current thyroid cancer incidence in Montgomery and Pulaski counties are similar to other counties in Virginia.  Cancer incidence is monitored by the National Cancer Institute and updates can be found here.

Q. What are the origins of this research project?

A. In response to community concerns regarding potential environmental health effects of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RAAP), faculty at Virginia Tech co-taught an Appalachian Community Research course on the topic. As part of the funding requirements for the Appalachian Teaching Project, the class established a partnership with Pulaski County and Montgomery County Boards of Supervisors to assist in the identification of areas where the faculty and students might provide additional information or additional interpretation of existing information.

The goals of the course and related research were to gain a better understanding of community concerns regarding RAAP, levels of air and soil pollutants in areas near RAAP, and compelling avenues for future research.

Q. What role did RAAP play in this research?

A. On February 16, 2018, RAAP staff and the facility’s commander, Lt. Col. James Scott, hosted Virginia Tech faculty and representatives of the Pulaski County and Montgomery County Boards of Supervisors on site at RAAP for a discussion and tour. LTC Scott welcomed the research, under the condition that VT communicate all proposed objects of study, plans of study, and findings.

RAAP requested VT faculty assistance with selecting appropriate ambient monitoring locations and the best technology for collecting samples. RAAP purchased the monitors but did not fund the research.

Q. Who paid for this research?

A. The Appalachian Community Research class received funding for travel to the Appalachian Teaching Project conference from the Appalachian Regional Commission. The class had support from a fellow funded jointly by Highlander Education and Research Center and the Global Systems Science Destination Area, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech. The pilot studies were funded by the Global Systems Science Destination Area, Fralin Life Science Institute, Virginia Tech, and by the individual faculty investigators.

Q. What did the research find?

A. The pilot study found that there were no levels of concern in the air monitors placed at residences near the arsenal, no levels of concern in the soil samples taken near the arsenal, as well as no levels of concern in cow’s blood at Kentland Farm. Research into public perceptions of the arsenal found that many residents in Montgomery and Pulaski counties have some concerns about the arsenal but believe that the arsenal is overall a positive presence in the community. Many applaud the arsenal’s move towards transparency and progress toward an enclosed incinerator. Our research also found that there is a general lack of data surrounding the condition of ground water near the arsenal and missing data surrounding PCB releases into the New River by the arsenal. Residents expressed desire for continued and increasing transparency, including greater communication with the public regarding RAAP activities (especially noises).