Leading toxicologist to discuss mercury issues at Carolinas Cement community information workshops

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Intertox, a Seattle-based scientific consulting and research firm, is conducting an independent risk assessment of the potential mercury emissions of the proposed Carolinas Cement plant in Castle Hayne, N.C. Rick Pleus, Ph.D. is the managing director and toxicologist at Intertox and he is leading the study. Dr. Pleus will be available to answer questions at each of the Community Information Workshops that Carolinas Cement is hosting in September and October. The workshops, scheduled for Sep. 16, Oct. 7 and Oct. 27, are free and open the public.

Dr. Pleus will answer questions about mercury and discuss the impact that it has on the public's day-to-day life at the first community workshop, which will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 16 at the North Branch of Cape Fear Community College. He will also participate in subsequent workshops on Oct. 7 and 27. The Oct.7 workshop will be held at the Schwartz Center on Front Street in downtown Wilmington, and the Oct. 27 workshop will be held at the UNCW Executive Development Center on Military Cutoff Road. Each workshop is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

"We retained Intertox for its indisputable reputation for providing honest health risk assessments on an international level," said Kate McClain, communications manager for Titan America. "Carolinas Cement is examining our potential environmental impact above and beyond what is required of us by state and federal regulators. It is important for us to communicate honestly about what we're building and what impact it will have on the community."

Founded in 1995, Intertox is comprised of scientists with expertise in toxicology, pharmacology, epidemiology, nanotechnology and regulatory policy. Specializing in combining objective, strategic thinking with cutting-edge scientific research to provide long-term solutions for public health issues, Intertox works closely with its clients to evaluate risks posed by chemical and biological agents affecting human health.

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