title: Medical screening after a coal fly ash spill in Roane County, Tennessee.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the health of community residents following a coal fly ash spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant in Harriman, Tennessee, on December 22, 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  A uniform health assessment was developed by epidemiologists at Oak Ridge Associated Universities and medical toxicologists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Residents who believed that their health may have been affected by the coal fly ash spill were invited to participate in the medical screening program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 214 individuals who participated in the screening program, the most commonly reported symptoms were related to upper airway irritation. No evidence of heavy metal toxicity was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report, to our knowledge, regarding the comprehensive health evaluation of a community after a coal fly ash spill. Because this evaluation was voluntary, the majority of residents screened represented those with a high percentage of symptoms and concerns about the potential for toxic exposure. Based on known toxicity of the constituents present in the coal fly ash, health complaints did not appear to be related to the fly ash. This screening model could be used to assess immediate or baseline toxicity concerns after other disasters.
authors: 1Oak Ridge Associated Universities,Occupational Exposure and Worker Health Programs,Oak Ridge.
authors: Gregory P
authors: GP
authors: Nichols
authors: 1Oak Ridge Associated Universities,Occupational Exposure and Worker Health Programs,Oak Ridge.
authors: Donna L
authors: DL
authors: Cragle
authors: 2Tennessee Poison Center,Vanderbilt University Medical Center,Nashville,Tennessee.
authors: John G
authors: JG
authors: Benitez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D060729:Coal Ash / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004190:Disasters; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D055370:Lung Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D013714:Tennessee / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D060729:Coal Ash; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy