Researchers were in Marietta Tuesday night briefing the public on a health study they'll conduct over the next two years.

The Environmental Protection Agency is trying to figure out if the air that Marietta residents are breathing is harmful to their health.

They are conducting a study comparing 100 Marietta residents to 100 residents in a control group in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

They have are looking for people between the ages of 35 and 55 who have lived in Marietta for more than 10 years.

Through a series of tests, researchers are going to see if there is a difference in the health of Marietta and Mount Vernon residents.

"Second of all, we'll look at the relationship between airborne manganese exposure to neuropsychological and neurological sensory function," said Dr. Rosemarie Bowler, San Francisco State University.

The EPA is covering the $200,000 cost of the two year study.

Researchers sent letters to 350 people in the community and they're hoping at least 100 volunteer to participate in the study.

People who are interested can email ohstudy@sfsu.edu.