FAIRMONT, W. Va (WDTV) – EPA’s Mid-Atlantic Region along with the West Virginia DOH held a public meeting Thursday to discuss the removal of radium from the Fairmont Brine site. Residents expressed concern for their safety throughout the meeting.

West Virginia Department of Health officials say the only way it could possibly be affected is through land entry, which Environmental Health Director Jason R. Frame says is a growing problem. As the EPA took questions from the public at the end of tonight’s meeting, some citizens expressed their displeasure with the answers given.

But Frame and others told 5 News they are doing everything they can to keep citizens who live around or near the site safe and healthy.

“The unified command has been testing the sites and surrounding areas. We do not believe that people in the local area are at risk. As long as people don’t access the site itself and expose themselves to any radio that might be there, they should be safe. We want the community to know that Unified Command is doing everything it can to mitigate the risks on the site as quickly as possible, but it will take time to clean up the site properly, and the most important thing right now is not to exceed . on the site. Watch the fencing and watch the signage and keep your distance.”

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