Columbia, SC (WLTX) -- Families facing exposure to lead and arsenic have a chance to find some peace of mind.
DHEC has offered free screenings for families in the Edisto Court Community.
This comes after the agency announced that soil surrounding the Seaco plant in Columbia was contaminated by a fertilizer plant that operated on the same ground 100 years ago.
"It makes us kind of nervous and concerned," said Emily McClinton.
She raised her family on Easy Street in the Edisto Court Community, but now neighborhood living has become a bit more difficult.
"It's kinda hard because none of us knew anything about this when we moved there," she said.
DHEC recently notified the neighborhood that a fertilizer plant that operated near the community about 100 years ago generated waste with high levels of arsenic and lead.
The agency offered free health screenings for the families even as crews continue to screen the area.
McClinon and her adult son and daughter decided to take DHEC up on its offer for more information and a clear head about where they stand.
"It's very important that I find out more," said McClinton.
The screenings involved urine tests for arsenic and blood testing for lead.
DHEC spokesman Jim Beasley says it's important for those impacted to come out for the testing.
"This screening is being done not because purely because we found some soil samples at elevated levels not because we've identified any specific health problems in this neighborhood," said Beasley.
Now, McClinton's son Herbert Ray McClinton, says he's leaning on his faith as they wait for results.
"This is some serious stuff, very serious,"said Herbert Ray McClinton. "I pray that everything work out okay."
That free DHEC testing will continue Tuesday at the Edisto Discovery Park community Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Results will be given directly to those families in about one or two weeks.