ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR To Present Cancer Assessment in Salisbury, N.C.

For Immediate Release: March 22, 2006

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) will host a public availability session on March 27 to present the findings of cancer incidence for the Salisbury, N.C., area.

The report evaluates the number of new cancer cases among people living within one mile of industrial facilities on Jake Alexander Boulevard in Salisbury. Although the evaluation was not designed to determine the cause of cancer, it can provide information about cancer rates for the community. By comparing community cancer rates to state or county cancer rates, the evaluation also can be used to determine if any unusual pattern is occurring in the community.

The public availability session will be held in the auditorium of Salisbury High School, 500 Lincolnton Road in Salisbury from 6 to 8 p.m. ATSDR scientists will present summary information about the report followed by the opportunity for community members to meet individually with ATSDR representatives and ask questions or share comments and concerns.

Members of the community who have questions regarding the report may contact Epidemiologist Stephanie Foster or Health Communication Specialist LaFreta Dalton, toll free, at 1-888-422-8737. Or they may call Regional Representative Carl Blair at 404-562-1786.

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 by calling the NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication at 770-488-0700.