OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (AP) — More than 100 people worried about the health impact of a massive coal ash spill in Tennessee have signed up for free medical screenings.

Oak Ridge Associated Universities is working with the Tennessee Poison Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center to provide evaluations for anyone who believes they have been affected by the December spill at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s coal-fired power plant in Kingston.

TVA is paying for the exams, but the results will remain confidential.

Oak Ridge coordinator Dr. Donna Cragle said Monday that local physicians and local clinics will be used.

TVA estimates it will be spring 2010 before millions of tons of toxin-laden ash is removed from the Emory River and another year or so before all of the ash has been collected.