The "Neighbors for Clean Air" are not out to shut down any chemical plants.

That was made very clear in Thursday night's meeting of over eighteen community members.

The grass roots group is collecting voluntary medical histories from the area to try to document if there is an airborne pattern of illness in the valley.

They are also planning outreach to explain their goals to area civic, church, school and community groups who may be concerned about their aims.

"The goal is simply to ask the Eramet facility in Marietta to use the best technology available to them to reduce air emissions in the Mid Ohio Valley...It's just that simple," explains John Whistler. " What we DO NOT want to do is to loose Eramet as an employer in our community. They are a very large employer and a large tax payer."

The grassroots group continues to seek voluntary medical histories from people who live within a few miles of the Eramet Plant...especially in Boaz, Williamstown and Vienna. Participants selected will be paid a nominal amount.

To volunteer for a personal history, schedule a speaker, or to contact the group, write to them at P.O. Box 295, Marietta, OH 45750.