COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) - The City of Columbia is partnering with the Department of Health and Environmental Control to offer free medical screenings for lead and aresenic to residents who live in the South Edisto Court community.
Residents in the affected area on Easy Street, Howe Street and Coming Road may receive a free medical screening from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6 or Tuesday, Aug 7 at the Edisto Discovery Park Community Center on Wiley Street.
The City is allowing DHEC to use the facility to conduct the screenings, which were requested by City Councilman Moe Baddourah, who represents District III.
"I wanted to make sure that the residents in South Edisto Court are represented well and would have access to free medical screenings. This is a partnership and we want to ensure that the needs of our citizens are met," said Baddourah.
Federal officials say ingesting too much arsenic can lead to skin damage, circulatory issues and cancer risks. Lead consumption can cause developmental delays and kidney problems.
People will get results of the tests in a few weeks.
DHEC will also drill this week to collect soil cores from the area. If there is a high level of lead or arsenic, they plan to remove the soil in the community and replace it with fresh soil.
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(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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