ATSDR releases for public comment its public health consultation on lead activities in Anniston, Ala.

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT
ATSDR releases for public comment its public health
consultation on lead activities in Anniston, Ala.

For Immediate Release: Feb. 12, 2003

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today released the public comment version of its public health consultation that reviews childhood lead levels in Anniston, Ala.

The health consultation reviews activities resulting from collaborative work by ATSDR, the state of Alabama and Anniston community groups.

Written comments to the document will be accepted by ATSDR until March 21, 2003.

Since 2000, public health agencies have conducted four activities designed to characterize blood lead levels in children in the Anniston area. ATSDR's health consultation contains a summary of the four activities, a collective valuation of the findings, recommendations, and an outline of ongoing and planned activities.

The four activities used to characterize blood levels were:

Blood lead screening conducted in Anniston in August/September 2000
Summary of Information in the Alabama Childhood Blood Lead Registry
Childhood Blood Lead Screening Project conducted by ATSDR in April/May 2001
Information provided to ATSDR during discussions with Anniston-area pediatricians.

The evidence from all four activities indicates that average blood lead levels in the children tested were below Alabama and national averages.

The evidence also indicates that some Anniston children are exposed to lead. ATSDR scientists say this means that blood lead testing programs should continue and that parents and the community should continue activities to prevent exposures to lead.

ATSDR's public health consultation is available for public review and comment at the following locations in Anniston:

Anniston Public Library 108 E. 10th St.	Community Against Pollution (CAP) Headquarters Office 1012 W. 15th St.
Community Against Pollution Outreach Center 1521 Cobb Ave.	Bethel Baptist Church 520 E. 6th St. Carver Library 722 W. 14th St.
Environmental Protection Agency 1313 Noble St.	Seventeenth Street Baptist Church 801 W. 17th St.
First Missionary Baptist Church 1100 Pine Grove Rd.

The public comment period ends March 21, 2003. ATSDR welcomes comments from the public. Written comments should be sent to the following address:

Chief, Program Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
ATSDR Mailstop E-32
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged into ATSDR's administrative record for the health consultation. Public comments and ATSDR's responses will be included in the final health consultation when it is released. Although the names of those who submit comments will not be included in the final health consultation, names are subject to release in response to requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

Community members seeking information on the procedures or the content of the public health consultation should contact Environmental Health Scientist Clement Welsh, Ph.D, or Community Involvement Specialist PerStephanie Thompson toll free, at 1-888-422-8737; or Senior Regional Representative Bob Safay at 404-562-1782. Callers should reference the Anniston lead health consultation.

Members of the news media may request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling Elaine McEachern or John Florence in the ATSDR Office of Policy and External Affairs at 770-488-0700.

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This page updated February 13, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)