Reports Received of State Health Impersonators in Roane County

Residents Should Request Federal or State Government ID

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health has received information that individuals not associated with or employed by the department may be impersonating state health workers in Roane County. If a person approaches you or visits your home or business with health-related information, he or she should present state or federal identification that confirms the person’s place of employment. All others are not involved or affiliated with the Department of Health’s activities and response to the coal ash spill in Roane County.

In keeping with its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of the state’s residents, the Tennessee Department of Health worked with federal government public health workers to complete routine health surveys of residents living near the spill site. Staffers reached out to those in more than 300 homes near the spill site. This effort was aimed at ensuring there are no unexpected adverse health effects being experienced in the community, answering any health questions one-on-one, reminding the public of health messages that have been issued and educating people about resources available for health-related concerns or questions. Currently, plans are in place to publish its health survey findings as soon as results are available.

The State Department of Health also is analyzing water samples collected by the state Department of Environment and Conservation to ensure municipal drinking water continues to be safe and to determine the effects of the release to bodies of water in the area. The department continues to monitor concentrations of material in water, air, and soil to ensure that they do not present a health hazard to the community. Additionally, at the onset of the spill recovery efforts in Roane County, state health officials assisted at the incident command center and continue to offer expertise and guidance related to public health issues.

Any officials associated with the above mentioned activities will have state or federal government identification.

For more information about the health surveys or other activities of the Department of Health, call 1-800-404-3006, or send an e-mail to TN.Health@state.tn.us. Information is also available on the Internet at http://health.state.tn.us/coalashspill.htm.