
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 16, 1995                   TAG: 9508160087
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WASTE MAY BE HAZARD IN SALTVILLE

Federal public health specialists are seeking ideas on how to tell the Saltville community about their investigation into possible health effects from hazardous waste disposed of around the Smyth County town.

A public workshop is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northwood High School in Saltville. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is sponsoring the workshop.

Last year, the agency began investigating possible health problems related to waste disposal at various sites around town, including the old dump next to Saltville Elementary School, the Perryville community, the medical center, the power plant and several other properties.

The investigation is related to the Environmental Protection Agency's work on cleaning up the Superfund site at the former Olin Chemical Corp. plant. Olin produced many chemicals, including soda ash and hydrazine, until it closed in 1972. Some of the company's waste was buried at sites around town or used as construction fill.

The public health agency is seeking ideas in deciding what educational activities about the investigation the Saltville community would like to see. The officials also want help deciding how to disseminate that information, such as in fact sheets, newsletters and public meetings.

For more information, call the public health agency's representative, Jack Kelly, in Philadelphia at (215) 597-8216.

by CNB