(ATLANTA, GA) – The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) have recently released their public health assessment report, “CSX Transportation – Rail Yard,” for public comment.  ATSDR will accept comments from the public until July 23, 2018.

The report, in response to a community petition, looks at whether people in Ware County, GA, are being exposed to hazardous chemicals from the CSX Transportation Rail Yard.  The report also informs community members of the actions they can take to improve their health by reducing their exposures to chemicals from the CSX site and other sources.  To read the report visit:  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HAC/pha/waycross/CSX_Rail_Yard_Site_PHA-508.pdf

Residents living in Ware County, and other interested individuals, are invited to learn about the report’s findings and recommendations, meet and talk with scientists, ask questions, and discuss their environmental public health concerns.

WHEN:
Thursday, June 21, 2018
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Waycross City Auditorium
865 Pendleton Street  
Waycross, GA  31501

The public comment process gives the community the opportunity to review and comment on the report.   ATSDR’s responses to those comments will be included in the appendices of the final report.
Comments on the report must be submitted in writing to ATSDRRecordsCenter@cdc.gov or mailed to:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Attn: Records Center 
Re: CSX Transportation – Rail Yard Site (Waycross, GA) 
4770 Buford Highway, NE (MS F-09)
Atlanta, Georgia 30341

Copies of the report can be viewed at:
Waycross-Ware County Public Library
401 Lee Street
Waycross, GA  31501

For more information about the CSX Transportation – Rail Yard Site report, community members can call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), or email www.cdc.gov/info.
Community members can also contact:

• Dr. Chris Rustin, DPH, Director, Environmental Health Section at (404) 657-6534 or Chris.Rustin@DPH.GA.GOV. 
• Frank Sanchez, REHS, DPH, Director, Chemical Hazards Program at (404) 657-6534 or Franklin.Sanchez@DPH.GA.GOV.
• Leann Bing, ATSDR Region IV Representative, Region IV at (404) 562-1784 or kbing@cdc.gov. 

For members of the media, a media availability session will be held June 21 from 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the potential for adverse human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.