ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR to Host Community Meeting at Perma-Fix Site in Dayton

Air sampling to be discussed

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2005

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will host community meetings on Oct. 18 and 19 to talk about upcoming air sampling at the Perma-Fix site in Dayton, Ohio.

During the meeting ATSDR representatives will discuss its upcoming exposure investigation, or air sampling, and demonstrate how the sampling equipment works. The meeting will also allow ATSDR to get community input about the best times to sample and request volunteers to place monitors on their property.

By collecting air samples in neighborhoods near the Perma-Fix facility, ATSDR will be able to determine the types and amounts of chemicals in the air. This will help ATSDR determine if people are being exposed to chemicals at levels that could make them sick.

The meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Jefferson High School Cafeteria, 2701 South Union Road in Dayton.

Members of the community who have questions about the meeting may contact Environmental Health Scientist Aimee Treffiletti or Health Communication Specialist Debra Joseph at 1-888-422-8737.

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.