Prevention, health effects of creosote to be discussed

For Immediate Release: June 8, 2007

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Mississippi Department of Health Drinking Water Program will host two health education workshops in Columbus, Mississippi concerning the possible health effects of creosote. The workshops will be held on Wednesday June 13, 2007.

The workshops entitled "Preventing Environmental Exposure to Creosote” and "Drinking Water Quality,” will be held at the Holiday Inn Regency Ballroom located at 1200 Highway 45 North, Columbus, Mississippi from 1 p.m. to 3p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8p.m.

The sessions are open to the public. Attendees will learn about exposure, health effects, and the best way to protect themselves and their families from creosote exposure. The same material will be covered during both sessions; community members can attend either session or both.

For more information regarding health education activities, community members may contact Loretta Bush, Health Communications Specialist at 404-498-1742, Sylvia-Allen Lewis at 404-498-0519 or Deborah Joseph at 404-498-1758.

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.