Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Florida Department of Health (DOH), in conjunction with the Alachua County Health Department, will host an Open House August 29, 2011, at the Alachua County Health Department Auditorium (224 SE 24^th Street, Gainesville) from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Officials will be available to answer questions about published health reports and to collect additional health concern data from citizens surrounding the Koppers Hazardous Waste Site.

“The Health Department encourages citizens with questions regarding recently published health reports regarding the Koppers Hazardous Waste Site to attend.” stated Anthony Dennis, Environmental Health Director of the Alachua County Health Department. “We are also asking citizens who live near the site to share their health concerns with us.  These will be considered in future reports.”

The Health Department has published seven health reports for the Cabot Carbon/Koppers Hazardous Waste Site.  These include a recent review of cancer data for census tract 3 that includes the Stephen Foster Neighborhood, and a review of soil and sediment test results.

The Health Department also formed a workgroup to recommend a plan to the EPA to test dust in homes near the Koppers site for dioxins. This plan was presented to the EPA this past July and details of the plan will be available at the open house.

The reports can be viewed and downloaded at the Alachua County Health Department’s website and the DOH’s website.

For more information, contact Alachua County Health Department Environmental Health Director, Anthoney Dennis at 352-334-7930 or Anthony_Dennis@doh.state.fl.us.

The goal of the Alachua County Health Department is to promote, protect, maintain and improve the health and safety of all citizens and visitors.

If any accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at (352) 374-5275 or (352) 374-5284 TDD.