2301_Cleveland_CDLF_SlackvilleEllaMillDemo_DIN26991_20161107

1
Frost, Larry
From:Mussler, Ed
Sent:Thursday, November 03, 2016 9:16 AM
To:Aja, Deborah; Watkins, Jason; Frost, Larry
Cc:Lorscheider, Ellen
Subject:FW: Demolition Debris Associated with Sackville Mill, Shelby, NC
Attachments:Demoltion Debris Information.pdf; 1978 CDC Anthrax Report.pdf; 2001.07.17 Blue Ridge Phase I ESA
(Text).pdf; RE: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC
FYI 

From: Harriger, Joselyn  
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2016 9:07 AM 
To: Mussler, Ed <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Nicholson, Bruce <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Demolition Debris Associated with Sackville Mill, Shelby, NC 

Good morning Ed,   

The Brownfields program has been working with a site in Shelby known as the former Sackville Mill/Ella Mill. In a Phase I 
ESA report (text only attached) provided after eligibility was determined, it was identified that anthrax vaccines were 
given to employees, and that an investigation had likely been done by CDC. We were later provided a 1978 Centers for 
Disease Control (CDC) report (attached) which indicated the building was found to contain anthrax spores inside the 
building. The mill had imported goat hair that was utilized in the manufacture of fabric. The goat hair was imported from 
overseas and was reportedly the source of the anthrax.  We could not find documentation of a follow up visit by any 
agency after 1978.  The mill went out of business, operated as other things, but was ultimately demolished in February 
2016 (according to the attached disposal documents). The debris went to the Cleveland County Landfill in Shelby.  Our 
toxicologist has expressed some concerns regarding potential vectors being exposed to anthrax spores (see attached 
email) at the landfill that I also wanted to pass along.   

I have notified the Cleveland County Health Director that the demolition debris was sent to the Cleveland County 
Landfill, as she had requested.  I can provide contact information as needed. Documents regarding the property will 
ultimately be uploaded to Laserfiche under the project name Sackville Mill and the number 20067‐16‐023 but in the 
meantime I have attached the most pertinent documents for your use.   

If you have further questions, please feel free to give me or Bruce a call. We have a lot of contacts and I’m happy to 
share all the information I have. 

Thank you,  

Joselyn Harriger, PG
Project Manager
Brownfields Program
Department of Environmental Quality

704-235-2195 office
704-431-9825 mobile
[e-mail]

610 E. Center Avenue
2
Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

1
Frost, Larry
From:Mort, Sandra L
Sent:Wednesday, November 02, 2016 10:58 AM
To:Harriger, Joselyn; Nicholson, Bruce
Subject:RE: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC
Joselyn, Bruce – 
A word of caution ‐‐‐ 

If the demolition material went to a municipal LF, I’m concerned that there is the potential for biological vectors 
(rodents, vultures, etc.) that are attracted to landfilled materials (such as food waste) before it is covered each day, to 
potentially be exposed to anthrax spores that may have remained viable on the building material when it was LFed. We 
know there were viable spores on the building materials when it was last tested (in the 70‐80’s?). As the scavengers 
scavenge for food, they may have been exposed to the building material & any remaining viable spores. While this is 
likely a low‐probability risk, it cannot be assumed to be zero, unless we know the spores were not viable at the time they 
were taken to the LF, & there was no potential access to the contaminated building materials by potential biological 
vectors. Over time, the number of anthrax infected vectors could increase. 

On a side note, there have been studies (I have the references) that indicate that the anthrax bacterium & spores remain 
viable when infected biological vectors die & the carcasses degrade. These same studies indicate that herbivores are 
attracted to the enhanced plant growth that develops where the carcass degrade & provide enhanced nutrient loads to 
the soil, which result in a localized area of increased plant growth. The herbivores can be exposed to the anthrax 
bacterium or spores in this manner.  

I’d recommend that this scenario be brought to the attention of the local health department & let them decide it they 
want to consider whether it should be investigated. 
Sandy 
________________________________________
Sandy Mort
Environmental Toxicologist / Risk Assessor
Division of Waste Management – Hazardous Waste & Brownfields
NC Department of Environmental Quality

[phone] - Direct Line & Fax
[e-mail]

1646 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1646

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the  
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties. 

From: Harriger, Joselyn  
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2016 9:44 AM 
2
To: Nicholson, Bruce <[e-mail]>; Mort, Sandra L <[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC 

Hi Bruce and Sandy –  

I’m not sure where to go from here… suggestions would be appreciated. I may bring it up during the staff meeting this 
morning. 

Thanks! 

Joselyn Harriger, PG
Project Manager
Brownfields Program
Department of Environmental Quality

704-235-2195 office
704-431-9825 mobile
[e-mail]

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Harriger, Joselyn  
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2016 9:41 AM 
To: '[e-mail]' <[e-mail]> 
Cc: Nicholson, Bruce <[e-mail]>; Mort, Sandra L <[e-mail]> 
Subject: FW: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC 

Good morning, Dorothea, 

We heard back from the demolition contractor (see below and attached manifests) regarding the disposition of the 
demolition debris from the Sackville Mill.  

Please let Sandy or I know if you have any questions! Thank you! 

Joselyn Harriger, PG
Project Manager
Brownfields Program
Department of Environmental Quality

704-235-2195 office
704-431-9825 mobile
[e-mail]

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

From: Brian Alexander [mailto:[e-mail]]  
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2016 10:54 AM 
To: Harriger, Joselyn <[e-mail]> 
Subject: RE: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC 

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Please see the attached landfill records associated with the mill.  I talked with some of my staff that wrokred the project 
and there are no health issues as of now from the project.  Let me know if you need anything further.  Many Thanks 

Brian Alexander 
Asheville Division Manager 
D.H. Griffin Companies 
OFFICE   (828) 274‐4520 
MOBILE (828) 545‐8572 

From: Harriger, Joselyn [mailto:[e-mail]]  
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 11:01 AM 
To: Brian Alexander <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC 

Good morning, Brian –  

We have a property in Shelby that has recently entered the Brownfields program.  It was the former Ella Mill/Sackville 
Mill at South Washington and Textile Streets in Shelby. I understand that you were the contact for the demolition of the 
site buildings.  We are researching a few items related to the disposition of the demolition debris from this 
property.  Please call me as soon as is convenient.  My contact information is available below.  

Thank you,  

Joselyn Harriger, PG
Project Manager
Brownfields Program
Department of Environmental Quality

704-235-2195 office
704-431-9825 mobile
[e-mail]

610 E. Center Avenue
Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

1
Harriger, Joselyn
From:Brian Alexander <[e-mail]>
Sent:Wednesday, October 26, 2016 10:54 AM
To:Harriger, Joselyn
Subject:RE: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC
Attachments:20161026110027772.pdf
Please see the attached landfill records associated with the mill.  I talked with some of my staff that wrokred the project 
and there are no health issues as of now from the project.  Let me know if you need anything further.  Many Thanks 

Brian Alexander 
Asheville Division Manager 
D.H. Griffin Companies 
OFFICE   (828) 274‐4520 
MOBILE (828) 545‐8572 

From: Harriger, Joselyn [mailto:[e-mail]]  
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 11:01 AM 
To: Brian Alexander <[e-mail]> 
Subject: Sackville Mill/Ella Mill Demolition, Shelby NC 

Good morning, Brian –  

We have a property in Shelby that has recently entered the Brownfields program.  It was the former Ella Mill/Sackville 
Mill at South Washington and Textile Streets in Shelby. I understand that you were the contact for the demolition of the 
site buildings.  We are researching a few items related to the disposition of the demolition debris from this 
property.  Please call me as soon as is convenient.  My contact information is available below.  

Thank you,  

Joselyn Harriger, PG
Project Manager
Brownfields Program
Department of Environmental Quality

704-235-2195 office
704-431-9825 mobile
[e-mail]

610 E. Center Avenue
Suite 301
Mooresville, NC 28115

Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.

FOR ADMINISTRATIVE USE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE-CDC-Atlanta
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION EPI-78-47-2 October 5,1978
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
TO :Director,Center for Disease Control
FROM :Bacterial Diseases Division
Bureau of Epidemiology
SUBJECT:Human anthrax -North Carolina
SUMMARY
In January and February 1978,2 cases of cutaneous anthrax
occurred in unvaccinated employees of a textile mill in North
Carolina.Both employees were exposed to imported goat hair--
i while maintaining the carding machines,and the other while
removing waste products from the mill.Bacillus anthracis was
isolated from all areas of the mill,but contamination of a
county landfill and the areas surrounding the mill premises could
not be demonstrated.
High levels of anthrax contamination in the mill,based on
a swab survey,indicated inadequate sterilization of goat hair
at the mill branch located in Pennsylvania.
INTRODUCTION
On February 24,1978,J.N.McCormick,M.D.,Head,Communicable Disease Branch,
and John Freeman,D.V.M.,Head,Veterinary Public Health Branch,North Carolina
Division of Health Services,called the Bacterial Zoonoses Branc_Bacterial
Diseases Division,Bureau of Epidemiology,to discuss 2 recent human anthrax cases
associated with a North Carolina goat hair processing mill.The first patient
had clinical onset of cutaneous anthrax involving the chin on January 20,7 days
after he began working in the mill,and the second had onset in early February.
Both patients have recovered.
Preliminary review of operational procedures at the plant by Dr.Freeman
revealed potential for environmental contamination with Bacillus anthracis of soil
in the surrounding areas,as well as in workers'homes.During discussions on
March 13 and 14,plans were made for CDC to participate in evaluating the potential
environmental contamination;William J.Martone,M.D.,Medical Epidemiologist,
and Morris E.Petter,D.V.M.,Veterinary Epidemiologist,Bacterial Zoonoses Branch,
went to North Carolina on March 15 to assist in the investigation.
BACKGROUND
Under present ownership,the North Carolina textile mill began operation in 1957
using goat hair and synthetic fiber in the manufacture of suit interlinings.It is
the only mill in North Carolina currently using goat hair in its manufacturing
p re ces s.
For at least 5 years,goat hair has been imported exclusively from Pakistan.
The hair initially arrives at a branch of the mill located in Pennsylvania as 150-
pound tightly packed bales.In Pennsylvania the bales are opened,fluffed,and
rewrapped into larger 700 pound bales.A manager in the Pennsylvania branch
indicated that the larger bales are steam autoclaved in groups of 3 at 20 pounds
per inch 2 at 250 C for 3 hours prior to being transported to North Carolina.A
heat sensitive indicator is placed into the bales to assure adequate sterilization.
Ten to 13 bales leave Pennsylvania for the North Carolina mill each Sunday.In
North Carolina,the hair is stored in the carding area until used.Carding,pin
drafting,roving,spinning,and winding,done at the North Carolina mill,transform
the raw hair and synthetic fiber into threads which are woven into interlining cloth
(Figure i).Additionally,cotton warps used in the weaving process are also pre-
pared at the North Carolina mill.
F/g.I TEXTILE MILL BY WORK LOCATION,NORTH CAROLINA,1978
Jl
RAYON a COTTON YARI_
FINAL INSPECTION
WEAVING
QUILL QUILL
STRIPPER STORAGI
QUILLER
_._WINDER_'_HAiR
_wa z STORAGI
m CARDIN<
o SERVO
_DRAFTER
CARDING
I_PIN DRAFTING
S.MORGAN STREET
Unfinished bolts of cloth are inspected and shipped to Pennsylvania for final pro-
cessing--singeing,dying,and sanforizing.The truck used for transporting the
material to Pennsylvania is the same one that had originally hauled the goat hair
bales to North Carolina.
Bacteriologic surveys of the North Carolina mill were conducted by personnel
from the Center for Disease Control in 1957,1961,1967,and 1968.Based on
environmental swab specimens,low levels of anthrax contamination were found in
1957 (2%)and 1961 (4%).In 1967 the level of contamination had risen to 23%but
2
a repeat survey done in 1968 after a general mill cleanup revealed a decrease in the
overall contamination rate to 11.5%.
Prior to 1978,only 1 case of suspected anthrax had been associated with the
North C_olina mill.In 1963,a 33-year-old female had a cutaneous lesion compatible
with anthrax about 2 weeks after beginning work at the mill.She worked in the
spinning department and had not been vaccinated prior to becoming infected.She was
hospitalized,treated with penicillin,and made an uneventful recovery.Cultures of
the lesion obtained after initiation of therapy,however,did not yield Bacillus
anthracis.Thus,diagnosis was based on clinical grounds only.
INVESTIGATION
Case Reports:
Case 1 A 67-year-old male who began work at the North Carolina mill on January i0,
1978,whose duties involved general maintenance of the carding machines gave a history
of frequently wiping goat hair from his face.On January 17,1978,the patient noticed
a psinless,nonpruritic "boil"on the right side of his chin,associated with slight
swelling.He denied previous trauma to the site of the lesion.There was no
associated fever although he described chilly sensations on several occasions.The
patient was seen by his private physician on January 19 and January 20 and a diagnosis
of possible anthrax was made.Cephalexin,initially prescribed because of a history
of penicillin allergy,was replaced by tetracycline after 2 days.Over the ensuing
1-1/2 to 2 weeks,a 1 cm ulcer developed and was followed by the formation of a black
eschar characteristic of anthrax.The ulcerative lesion was associated with
generalized soft tissue swelling of the chin and neck.
The patient gradually improved and returned to work on February 7,1978,at which
time he received the first dose of the primary anthrax vaccination series.Cultures
of the lesion taken on January 22,1978,were negative for B.anthracis although this
was after antimicrobial therapy was instituted.A blood specimen obtained on March 16,
1978,58 days after clinical onset of the cutaneous lesion and 37 days after receiving
1 dose of anthrax vaccine,revealed a microscopic indirect hemagglutination titer of
1:640 for anthrax.
Case 2 The patient,a 59-year-old unvaccinated male,had been employed by the
North Carolina mill for the past year to haul waste to the county landfill.Although
he was not considered a regular employee,the patient was noted to frequently enter
the mill where his wife worked in the weaving room.On February 8,1978,he noticed
a small pruritic "pimple"on the left side of his chin.Having heard about the employee
who had recently had anthrax,he asked the manager if his lesion could also be due
to anthrax.He was directed to the company physician who made a tentative diagnosis
of cutaneous anthrax;appropriate smears and cultures were obtained,and the patient
was given penicillin followed by ampicillin therapy.The skin lesion and associated
slight localized edema and erythema reached approximately 1 cm in diameter,with the
development of an eschar.After antibiotic therapy was initiated,recovery was
uneventful with healing completed in about 12 days.Cultures of the lesion yielded
B.anthracis.
Environmental Culture Survey:
To assess the B.anthracis contamination levels in the mill,151 swab and bulk
environmental samples were collected from various points along the production process.
Cross-contamination of specimens was minimized by first collecting samples in areas
least likely to be contaminated,and progressing to areas of potentially heavy
contamination.Thus,the warping and slashing room was cultured first,followed
by the inspection room,the weaving room,and finally the rooms housing the carding,
pin drafting,roving,and spinning machines.
An inspection was conducted of the mill grounds,the yards of neighboring private
dwellings,and a nearby stream to determine if the immediate environment was being
contaminated with mill wastes.In addition,because in i of the 1978 cases,the man
transported waste in an open-bed truck to the county landfill 7-9 miles from the mill,
goat hair and synthetic fiber along the roadside and at the landfill were sought.
Seventeen hair and fiber specimens and 7 water specimens were collected from the above
sites.
The possibility that environmental contamination with B.anthracis resulted in
soil seeding was evaluated by collecting 170 soil core and 130 surface soil samples.
The samples were obtained from sites at the landfill,the mill premises,and private
residences near the mill.Landfill sites which were sampled included i)the open
landfill in current use,2)a landfill site that had been buried and sown with grass
1-2 years previously,and 3)a plowed field and pasture which were adjacent to the
landfill.Additionally,2 water samples were collected from a stagnant pool containing
runoff water from the landfill.
To determine if B.anthracis was possibly being taken home by workers,the homes
of 4 employees were visited and contents of their vacuum cleaner bags or floor sweepings
were collected.
All of the water samples were collected in sterile 250 ml plastic bottles.Bulk
environmental samples obtained in the mill and environmental specimens other than water
were individually placed in sterile whirl-pack bags,or tied in inverted surgical
gloves and transported to the Bacterial Zoonoses Laboratory Section,Epidemiologic
Investigations Laboratory Branch,Bacterial Diseases Division,Bureau of Epidemiology,
CDC,for isolation of B.anthracis.
Isolation procedures were used to recover B.anthracis from the swabs,bulk
specimens,soil,and water as previously described (i).Isolates were considered
to be B.anthracis if they produced typical tenacious,non-hemolytic colonies on
blood agar plates,were non-motile,were lysed by gamma phage,and produced capsules
on bicarbonate agar in a 5%CO 2 incubator.
B.anthracis was recovered from 62%of the environmental swab samples and 76%
of the bulk waste samples collected in the mill (tables 1 and 2).Positivity was
greatest in the room where the earliest processing occurred,although all of the
5 swab samples collected in the anteroom leading from the street entrance to the
spinning room and containing the time clock and beverage machine were also found to
contain anthrax organisms.Positive swab or bulk environmental samples were found
in each area of the mill (Figure i).
Evidence of seeding of the soil by B.anthracis was not found;none of the
surface or core soil samples were positive for anthrax.Also,anthrax organisms
were not recovered from the 7 water samples collected from the creek downstream from
the mill or the 2 samples of runoff water from the landfill.
Two of 7 (29%)of the environmental waste samples collected on the mill grounds
and none of the i0 specimens collected off the mill premises yielded B.anthracis
on culture.B.anthracls was,however,recovered from floor sweepings from I of 4
(25%)employees'homes visited during the investigation.
Table i Results of Environmental Swab Sampling within Textile Mill X,Shelby,North Carolina,1957,1967,
and 1978
1957 1967 1978
Number Number Percent Nu_er Number Percent Number Number Percent
Source of Specimen Swabs Positive Positive Swabs Positive Positive Swabs Positive Positive
Cardingarea 15 3 20 21 21 I00
Draftingarea 80 1 I iO 5 50 14 14 i00
Rovingarea 4 4 i00
Spinningarea 79 3 4 70 31 44 19 16 84
WindingArea 5 4 80
Quillers 5 4 80
Weaving Area 40 0 0 50 2 4 40 13 33
FinalProduct i0 0 0 i0 3 30
TractorTrailer 5 1 20
CottonCones 30 2 7 5 0 0
WarpingArea 3 0 0
SlashingArea 2 0 0
WallbyRovers&Spinners 2 2 I00
Tlme Card Room 5 5 I00
Quill Stripper &Storage 5 5 I00
Investigators 5 I 20
IceChest i 1 i00
Total 199 4 2 185 43 23 151 94 62
4
.,J
Table 2 Bulk Waste Sample Positivity,Textile Mill X,Shelby,North
Carolina,1978
Descriptionand Number Number Percent
Location of Specimens Samples Positive Positive
Snag waste from cotton/rayon
storagearea 3 1 33
Snag waste from slasher/warper area 2 1 50
Debrisfrom tractortrailer 2 1 50
Scrap and shavings from various
materialreadyfor shipment 6 4 67
Cottonwarp in weavingroom 2 2 i00
Dust and debris from weaving
machines 4 3 75
Fly waste from spinningmachines 8 8 i00
Discardedquills in spinningroom 2 1 50
Goat hair from bales near
cardingmachines 5 4 80
Goat hair fly waste from carding
machines 2 2 I00
Pin drafterflywaste 2 2 i00
Total 38 29 76
Review of Immunization Practices:
The vaccination status of regular mill employees was assessed as follows:
Vaccination records for regular plant employees with time cards on file for the week
ending January 5,1978,were examined.The vaccination status was expressed as the
percentage of employees considered "current"in their vaccinations,based on the
modified schedule used by the mill physician.
Prior to the anthrax cases in 1978,management policy was to not initiate the
basic anthrax immunization series until after 2 weeks of employment.This policy
was established to avoid vaccinating transient workers.The vaccination schedule
presently used at the mill is a series consisting of vaccine administered on the first
day on the job,at 2 and 4 weeks,6 months,and 12 months,followed by annual boosters;
after about i0 years,however,boosters are only recommended every 2-3 years.
Workers who refuse to be vaccinated are not further employed by the mill.The primary
vaccination series recommended by the vaccine manufacturer differs from that used by
the mill in that the manufacturer recommends an additional booster after 18 months,
and does not recommend expanding the period between boosters after 5-10 years.
As determined by the vaccination records search,all but 1 (0.7%)of the 144 in-
dividuals working during the week ending January 5,1978,were fully vaccinated ac-
cording to the company policy in effect at that time.The only exception was an
employee who had been permitted intermittent employment without vaccination.
DISCUSSION
Prior to the initiation of anthrax vaccination programs for employees with occu-
pational exposure to B.anthracis,textile mills such as the North Carolina mill were
an important source of anthrax morbidity in the United States.In recent years,how-
ever,vaccination programs and the general replacement of goat hair by synthetic
fibers have made cases of industrial anthrax at textile mills unconnnon.
Previous studies have suggested that environmental contamination by B.anthracis
of less than 10%of samples might constitute a low risk for the development of human
anthrax (2).Swab sample positivity in 1978 at this mill was 31 times greater than
the 2%in 1957 and nearly 3 times greater than the 23%in 1967,and demonstrates that
the sterilization procedures adopted by the branch of the mill in Pennsylvania after
the 1967 survey were either inadequate or not adhered to,or both.The high rate of
recovery of B.anthracis from the swab and bulk waste samples clearly demonstrates
an anthrax risk for individuals whose jobs bring them into the mill.The fact that
no more than 2 persons actually did acquire anthrax supports the efficacy of anthrax
vaccine,even when the 18-month booster dose is not administered.One of the defi-
ciencies in the mill's vaccination practices,i.e.,no vaccine until after 2 weeks of
employment,has been corrected.A more difficult problem--that of determining which
of the non-employees whose work brings them into frequent contact with the mi_l or
its wastes,such as the vender for the beverage machine,mechanics,and plumbers,
should be vaccinated--has yet to be entirely resolved.Neither the truck driver who
transported material to and from the North Carolina mill nor his cab were available
for testing during the investigation.Therefore,we were unable to determine either
his risk (by culturing specimens from within his cab)or his vaccination status.
The fact that 1 of 4 vacuum cleaner dust specimens from employees'homes was
found positive for B.anthracis re-emphasizes the risk to their families.Although
the risk to family members is apparently low,it is unnecessary since a shower and
clothes change prior to leaving the mill would probably eliminate the risk
altogether (2).
None of the soil,water,or environmental specimens collected away from the mill
premises yielded B.anthracis on culture.However,visible mill waste contamination
of the neighborhood surrounding the mill,a creek running past a neighborhood high
school,and the roadside near the county landfill,coupled with the high rate of
positivity within the mill and the 2 positive specimens collected on the mill
grounds,all point to the need for better control of the use of anthrax-contaminated
raw products.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Short of not using imported goat hair in the textile industry in this country,
there is no certain method of completely protecting textile mill employees and the
surrounding environment from exposure to B.anthracis.However,to reduce the risk
of illness in employees and the risk of environmental contamination outside the mill,
the health department and plant management should consider the following:
(i)That sterilization procedures at the mill in Pennsylvania be reviewed and improved
if possible;
(2)That procedures at the mill be such that potentially infectious material does not
escape into the surrounding environment;
(3)That mill wastes be decontaminated.Although there has been no direct evidence
of environmental seeding of B.anthracis by mill wastes,such as community-acquired
anthrax,animal anthrax,or positive soil cultures,the sporadic nature of occurrence
of anthrax and the low rate of recovery of B.anthracis from environmental samples
collected after epizootics of bovine anthrax (3,4)leave the question of seeding the
soil with anthrax spores unanswered;
(4)That mill wastes be transported to the landfill in covered containers;
(5)That the vaccination program for employees currently in effect,which requires
a primary series starting on the first day of employment and annual revaccination,
be rigidly enforced;
(6)That the degree of risk of becoming infected with B.anthracis be assessed for
each non-employee who comes into contact with potentially infectious material,and
appropriate vaccination be required prior to entry into the mill;
(7)That each employee have 2 lockers--i for street clothes and 1 for work clothes--
and that employees be encouraged to change clothing before leaving the mill.Work
clothes should be lau_red at the mill.
yr.
Morris _'._t,_r,#.V._._William J.Martone,M.D.
BacteriayZoonoses Branch ._Bacterial Zoonoses BranchBacteri41DiseasesDivisiofiBacterialDiseasesDivision
Bureau of Epidemiology Bureau of Epidemiology
"-_fuf_idF.Kaufmann,D.V._.Charlotte M.Patton,M.S.
Chief,Bacterial Zoonos_s Branch Chief,Bacterial Zoonoses
Bacterial Diseases Division Laboratory Section
Bureau of Epidemiology Epidemiologic Investigations
Laboratory Branch
Bureau of Epidemiology
John V.Bennett,M.D.
Director
Bacterial Diseases Division
Bureau of Epidemiology
Distribution
Mailing Keys 53-1,2,qnd 3
J.N.McCormick,M.D.,Head,Communicable Disease Branch,North Carolina Division
of Health Services,225 North McDowell Street,Raleigh,N.C.27602
John Freeman,D.V.M.,M.P.H.,Head,Veterinary Public Health Branch,North Carolina
Division of Health Services,225 North McDowell Street,Raleigh,N.C.27602
REFERENCES
i.Bodily HL,Updyke EL,Mason JO (eds):Diagnostic Procedures for Bacterial,
Mycotic,and Parasitic Infections.5th ed.,New York,American Public Health
Association,1970,pp 354-363
2.Brachman,PS:Anthrax.in Tice's Practice of Medicine,Hagerstown,Md.,
Harper and Row,Pub.,Inc.,1970,Vol 3,pp 2-6
3.Fox MD,Kaufmann AF,et al:Anthrax in Louisiana,1971:Epizootiologic Study.
JAVMA 163:446-451,1973
4.Fox MD,Boyce JM,Kaufmann AF,Young JB,Whitford HW:An Epizootiologic Study
of Anthrax in Falls County,Texas.JAVMA 170:327-333,1977
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