Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a federal public health agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The agency is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and operates under the oversight of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its primary mission is to prevent exposure to toxic substances and the diseases they cause. The ATSDR is tasked with responding to environmental health threats, conducting research on the health impacts of hazardous substances, and providing information and education to communities, health professionals, and policymakers.

History

The ATSDR was established by Congress in 1980 under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as the Superfund law. This legislation was enacted in response to growing concerns about human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous waste sites. The ATSDR was created to implement the health-related sections of CERCLA, including the assessment of health hazards at specific sites, health studies, surveillance, health education, and research in support of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s cleanup efforts.

Functions and Responsibilities

The core functions of the ATSDR include:

• Health Assessments and Consultations: The agency conducts public health assessments of waste sites and consultations on specific health questions related to exposure to hazardous substances.
• Toxicological Profiles: The ATSDR develops and maintains an extensive database of toxicological profiles for hazardous substances found at Superfund sites. These profiles provide information on health effects, environmental transport, human exposure, and regulatory status.
• Exposure Investigations: When there is evidence of significant exposure to a hazardous substance, the ATSDR may conduct exposure investigations to assess the extent of exposure and associated health impacts.
• Health Studies: The agency conducts epidemiologic studies to investigate the relationships between exposures to hazardous substances and adverse health effects.
• Education and Training: The ATSDR provides education and training to healthcare providers, emergency responders, and the public on how to prevent exposure to hazardous substances.
• Registry and Surveillance: The agency maintains registries of people exposed to certain substances and conducts surveillance to track health effects related to exposure.

Key Programs and Initiatives

The ATSDR operates several key programs and initiatives aimed at protecting public health from hazardous substances, including:

• National Asbestos Exposure Review: A program to evaluate the impact of exposure to asbestos in communities living near vermiculite ore processing sites.
• Toxic Substances Portal: An online resource providing access to information on hazardous substances, including toxicological profiles, health effects, and emergency response guidance.
• Choose Safe Places for Early Care and Education: A guidance program designed to ensure that early care and education settings are located away from environmental hazards.

Challenges and Criticisms

The ATSDR has faced challenges and criticisms related to its ability to effectively respond to complex environmental health issues, including limited funding, the complexity of assessing health risks at contaminated sites, and the need for improved community engagement and communication strategies.

See Also

• Environmental health
• Public health
• Toxicology
• Superfund

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