PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT NATIONAL LEAD INDUSTRIES/TARACORP LEAD
SMELT SITE GRANITE CITY, MADISON COUNTY,ILLINOIS To determine if
nearby residents are exposed to site-related contaminants
migrating off the site, IDPH evaluates exposure pathway
components. An exposure pathway consists of five elements: 1) a
source of contamination, 2) transport through an environmental
medium, 3) a point of exposure, 4) a route of human exposure,
and 5) an exposed population. If any of these elements are
missing, the exposure pathway is not complete. Completed
pathways require that the five exposure elements exist and that
exposure has occurred in the past, is currently occurring, or
will occur in the future. Potential pathways have at least one
element missing, but the missing element(s) could exist.
Potential pathways suggest that exposure could have occurred in
the past, could currently be occurring, or could occur in the
future. An exposure pathway is eliminated if one or more of the
elements are missing and will never be p