UC to Host Environmental Health Town Hall Meeting Sept. 15

Cincinnati—The University of Cincinnati (UC) Center for Environmental Genetics and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) invite residents of Greater Cincinnati to discuss their concerns about the environment at a town hall meeting: "Your Home, Your Health, Your Voice."

The event, which is open to the public, will take place at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on Monday, Sept. 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Our goal is to give the community a chance to voice their concerns about hazards in the home while also giving residents an update on research that affects their families and children,” says Shuk-mei Ho, PhD, chairwoman of the environmental health department.

Local scientists will present recent data on hazards in the home, including lead, plastics, second-hand smoke, mold and traffic exhaust.

UC experts will also offer practical ideas for how residents can improve the health of their communities and individual families by assessing environmental exposures.

“This is a unique opportunity for the Greater Cincinnati community and others throughout the region because this will be the only NIEHS town hall meeting of this kind in 2008,” says Elizabeth Kopras, CEG junior research associate and meeting coordinator. “Attendees will have direct input on the decision-making process for how NIEHS allocates its funding opportunities for the upcoming fiscal year.”

Acting NIEHS director Sam Wilson and state Rep. Steve Driehaus will be in attendance.

Registration for the event is required and must be received by Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008. The cost is $15, with a limited number of scholarships available.

For more information, visit eh.uc.edu or contact Elizabeth Kopras at (513) 558-3625 or koprasej@uc.edu