ATSDR - Inez, Kentucky, Martin County Coal Company

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ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Issues Health Consultation for Public Comment on Martin County Coal Co. Site in Inez, Ky., with Finding of No Apparent Health Hazard

Public Meeting and Availability Session To Be Held Sept. 23

For Immediate Release: Sept. 17, 2003

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today is extending the public comment period on the Martin County Coal Co. (MCCC) public health consultation (PHC). The PHC states that exposures to a coal slurry spill that flooded area streams in Inez, Ky., are not at levels significant enough to cause adverse health effects. The agency therefore places the MCCC site in the no apparent public health hazard category.

The document will be available for public review and comment at local repositories through Oct. 14, 2003. In addition, a public meeting and public availability session will be held on Sept. 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Roy F. Collier Community Center, 1200 Main St., Inez, Ky. Agency representatives will be available at the meeting to address public health concerns on a one-to-one basis.

The health consultation looks at the impact of the MCCC coal slurry impoundment collapse, which resulted in approximately 300 million gallons of slurry (wastes from the coal washing process) being released into local streams and creeks.

The document notes that the majority of the slurry material was removed within one year of the spill by the Environmental Protection Agency.

ATSDR welcomes comments from members of the community. The document will be available for review and comment at the following repository:

Martin County Public Library
Main St.
Inez, Ky.

Comments on the public health consultation must be made in writing. Mail comments to

Chief, Program Evaluation, Records and Information Services Branch
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Road, NE (MS E-60)
Atlanta, GA 30333

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to ATSDR's administrative record for this health consultation. Names of those who submit comments, however, are subject to release for 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 may contact Environmental Health Scientist Amanda Gonzalez or Community Involvement Specialist Loretta Bush, toll free, at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Bob Safay also may be contacted at 404-562-1782. Callers should refer to the Martin County Coal Co. site in Inez, Ky.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 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. Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

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

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Updated by R. Searfoss September 23, 2003
For more information, contact ATSDR at:
770-488-0700 or e-mail (news media)