ATSDR Fact Sheet
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Public Health Service
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
ATSDR Fact Sheet
Vision
* "Healthy People in a Healthy Environment"
Mission
* The mission of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is to prevent exposure and adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment.
Goals
I. Identify people at health risk because of their exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. II. Evaluate relationships between hazardous substances in the environment and adverse human health outcomes. III. Intervene to eliminate exposures of health concern and prevent or mitigate adverse human health outcomes related to hazardous substances in the environment.
Activities
To carry out its mission and to serve the needs of the public, ATSDR conducts activities in several areas.
* Public Health Assessments * Health Consultations * Health Investigations * Exposure Registry * Toxicological Profiles * Applied Research * Health Education * Emergency Response
Public Health Assessments
The Agency evaluates data and information on the release of hazardous substances into the environment to assess any current or future impact on public health, to develop health advisories or other health recommendations, and to identify studies or actions needed to evaluate and mitigate or prevent human health effects. ATSDR conducts public health assessments of all waste sites on the National Priorities List and in response to petitions from concerned individuals and organizations.
Health Consultations
To address specific requests for information about health risks related to a specific site, chemical release, or hazardous material, ATSDR provides written or oral responses. These health consultations, which are intended to prevent or mitigate exposures, may lead to specific actions, such as restricting use of or replacing water supplies; intensifying environmental sampling; restricting site access; or removing contaminated material.
Health Investigations
Through epidemiologic, surveillance, and other studies of toxic substances and their effects, ATSDR increases understanding of the relationship between mexposure to hazardous substances and adverse human health effects.
Exposure Registry
The Agency has established and maintains a national registry of persons exposed to hazardous substances in the environment.
Toxicological Profiles
The Agency summarizes and makes available to the public data on the health effects of hazardous substances, identifies significant gaps in knowledge, and initiates research in toxicology and health effects where needed.
Applied Research
ATSDR conducts or sponsors research to increase scientific knowledge about the effects on human health of hazardous substances released from waste sites or of other releases into the environment.
Health Education
ATSDR develops and disseminates to physicians and other health care providers materials on the health effects of toxic substances, establishes and maintains a publicly accessible inventory of hazardous substances, and maintains a list of sites that are closed to the public or have restricted access because of hazardous substance contamination.
Emergency Response
To improve response to public health emergencies involving exposure to hazardous substances, ATSDR provides health-related support - including health consultations upon request and training for first responders - to states, local agencies, and health care providers.
For more information, go to:
ATSDR Home Page
Mike Perry / lmp1@atsoaa1.em.cdc.govLast Update - March 10, 1996
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