ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

Community Meeting Scheduled for Oil Field Site

For Immediate Release: April 13, 2006

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will host a public meeting in Bridgeport on Tuesday, April 18, to gather community health concerns related to the Lawrence Oil Field in Bridgeport, Ill., operated by PennTex Resources. The meeting will be held at the Red Hill High School cafeteria at 908 Church St., in Bridgeport from 7 to 9 p.m.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requested that ATSDR evaluate the concerns of citizens who have reported health effects they believe are the result of exposures to strong odors associated with the Lawrence Oil Field. ATSDR and IDPH staff will be available at the meeting to talk with citizens about their health concerns related to oil field air emissions and to discuss plans for an upcoming exposure investigation to sample for chemicals in the air in the Bridgeport area.

Community members who have questions about the upcoming meeting may contact Debra Joseph, health communications specialist, at 1-888-422-8737. Callers should say they are calling about the PennTex site. Those who cannot attend may submit their concerns online at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/contactus.html or mail them to

ATSDR/HPCIB, Debra Joseph
1600 Clifton Rd. Mailstop E-32
Atlanta, Ga. 30333

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 NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700. No appointment is necessary to attend the media session on April 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.