The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, today announced it will hold a public availability session on Jan. 28 to meet with community members regarding any health concerns that might be related to the Elizabeth Mine Site in Strafford, Vt.

The public availability session will afford community members the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from ATSDR and the Environmental Protection Agency. The session will be held Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Barrett Hall, Vt. Route 132, South Strafford.

Beginning in 1793, the mine was used for iron ore and iron sulfate operations, and in 1830 copper mining began at the site. Most of the underground copper mining occurred from 1942 until 1958 when the mine closed. The 1,400-acre site was added to the National Priorities List in June 2001 and contains open pit mines, extensive underground workings (mine shafts and adits), three tailing piles, and several buildings.

For more information, community members can contact Environmental Health Scientist Lovyst Luker or Community Involvement Specialist Dawn O'Connor, toll free, at 1-888-422-8737. Regional Representative Gary Perlman also may be contacted at 617-918-1492. Callers should refer to the Elizabeth Mine Site in Strafford, Vt.