ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

Community Input Needed for Government Nuclear Fuel Services Study

For Immediate Release: March 17, 2006

ATLANTA – Citizens concerned about possible health effects from contaminants released into the air, groundwater and surface water in the vicinity of the Nuclear Fuel Services site in Erwin have until April 1 to send them to the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. The federal public agency will review the concerns, evaluate the existing environmental and public health data, and report the findings in a public health assessment.

“Public input often gives us critical information to do research and helps us better understand possible health issues in the community,” said Health Communication Specialist Marilyn Palmer. “It also helps us establish what might be considered health hazards.”

Community members who have comments or questions regarding possible exposure may contact Marilyn Palmer or Senior Health Physicist Dr. Paul Charp at 1-888-422-8737. Concerns may be submitted online at www.atsdr.cdc.gov/contactus.html or by mail to

Marilyn Palmer, Health Communication Specialist
ATSDR
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.