The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will release the results of a health assessment of residents living near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site next week, both online and in a public forum, according to an announcement from the county health department.

The results will be released on the county and NCDHHS Web sites on Tuesday, Jan. 19, along with print copies in the county's public libraries. On Thursday, Jan. 21, state health officials will announce the results and take questions at a forum at T.C. Roberson High School Theater from 6:30 - 10 p.m.

Activists and residents who live near the contaminated site have long pressed county, state and federal officials for more information on the health effects, which some assert are far more serious than publicly revealed. On Nov. 17, 2009, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners instructed county health officials to press the state to release the results.

The full announcement is below.

— David Forbes

Public Meeting Scheduled
Following Release of CTS Health Assessment Findings

Next week the CTS/Mills Gap Road Site Public Health Assessment Findings are scheduled to be released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). A public meeting has been planned for Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 6:30 – 10:00 pm at the TC Roberson High School Theater to hear the results and recommendations of the assessment by representatives from NCDHHS.

The complete findings report will be posted at www.buncombecounty.org and www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/oee/hace/reports.html on January 19th. Print copies will be available at these Buncombe County public libraries the same day: East Asheville, Fairview, Leicester, North Asheville, South Asheville, and Skyland. (Addresses below)

The Document will be available for review and public comment from Tuesday, January 19th through Tuesday, March 19th. Comments may be sent to the NC Division of Public Health by email to www.nchace@dhhs.nc.gov or mail to:
N.C. Div. of Public Health
OEE/MERA
1912 MSC
Raleigh, NC 27699-1912

The media will be given an opportunity to ask questions during the meeting on January 21st.
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Addresses:

TC Roberson High School
250 Overlook Road, Asheville

Libraries
East Asheville Library
902 Tunnel Road, Asheville

Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road, Fairview

Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road, Leicester

North Asheville Library
1030 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville

Oakley/South Asheville
749 Fairview Road, Asheville

Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road, Asheville