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Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine

Dr. H. Edward Murray, Ph.D., Acting Director

The 24-hour number is (770)-488-7100

About the Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine

The Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine (DTEM) performs an integral function in meeting the ATSDR mandates by participating in policy development for environmental health-related issues and in supporting scientific and technical projects within ATSDR, as well as in other federal agencies. The primary goal of DTEM is to serve as a resource for information and assistance regarding toxic substances in the environment. This is accomplished by developing and implementing comprehensive environmental and toxicology programs encompassing the following standards:

  • Credible science, as evidenced by strategically targeted research and scholarship.
  • Critical assessment of current knowledge and emerging science relevant to hazardous wastes.
  • Public service by developing innovative tools and strategies oriented to meet client needs.
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Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine Responsibilities

  • Develops and applies innovative research methods to expand knowledge of the relationship between exposure to hazardous substances and adverse human health effects.
  • Coordinates all activities associated with toxicological profiles including associated research;
  • Develops and applies science-based health education tools, methods and strategies to deliver messages, education and training.
  • Develops educational materials in support of environmental medicine.
  • Provides expertise and service to site-specific activities across ATSDR, including chemical-specific consultations, as needed.
  • Provides technical expertise and site-specific support in addressing the health issues presented by emergency or acute release events and threatened releases of hazardous materials.
  • Coordinates agency toxicology and environmental medicine activities with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and other appropriate Federal, State, local, or public programs
  • Establishes minimal risk levels (MRLs) for hazardous substances. An MRL is a scientific estimate of the daily human exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse non-cancerous health effects over a specified duration of exposure
  • Provides substance-specific consultations (toxicological expertise) to state and federal agencies as well as to the general public;
  • Develops and applies a program of computational toxicology research to enhance traditional approaches
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Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine Organization

The Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine is organized into a Director’s office which includes the Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory and three branches, as follows:

Computational Toxicology and Methods Development Laboratory - Develops and applies, through consultations, a program of research to enhance traditional approaches using computational modeling tools such as physiologically-based pharmacokinetics (PBPK), Quantitative Structure Activity Relationships (QSAR), and Benchmark Dose (BMD). Conducts a program of research on chemical mixtures and applies chemical mixtures methodology to the assessment of hazardous substances. Investigates potential genetic contributions to the health effects of environmental toxicants.

Branches

Applied Toxicology Branch

Research and Results Implementation Team

  • Develops, implements, and coordinates a program of research designed to identify priority data needs for hazardous substances.
  • Coordinates toxicological information and research activities with the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program, the Interagency Testing Committee, other appropriate federal, state, and local programs, and other public and private concerns, as appropriate.
  • Oversees and coordinates the substance-specific applied research program including the Minority Health Program and the private sector voluntarism program.

Toxicology Analysis Team

  • Develops and disseminates the toxicological profiles and other associated scientific publications on the web and on CD ROM
  • Coordinates profile development activities with EPA, NTP, and other appropriate federal, state, and local government programs.
  • Provides chemical specific scientific expertise to other ATSDR and DTEM programs, and to local, state and federal government agencies.
  • Develops and maintains the CERLA Priority List of Hazardous Substances.
  • Coordinates the memorandum of understanding with EPA and manages the EPA toxicological reviews.

Environmental Medicine and Educational Services Branch

Educational Services Team

  • Develops and applies science-based health education strategies, services, and tools to deliver key messages, education, and training to state public health partners, other public health partners, health professionals, and community groups to improve environmental health outcomes at the local, state and national levels.
  • Develops educational materials in support of health education and environmental medicine.
  • Provides shared branch leadership development, implementation, and evaluation of internal and external professional health education and environmental medicine activities.
  • Establishes program goals and objectives for health education.
  • Collaborates in the establishment of program goals and objectives for health education and environmental medicine.
  • Provides expertise and service to site specific activities across ATSDR

 Environmental Medicine Team

  • Coordinates and facilitates environmental medicine practice development across ATSDR divisions and offices.
  • Develops professional educational materials in support of environmental medicine education.
  • Provides shared branch leadership in development, implementation, and evaluation of internal and external professional development and environmental medicine activities.
  • Establishes program goals and objectives for environmental medicine education activities.
  • Collaborates in the establishment of program goals and objectives for health education and environmental medicine education.
  • Provides expertise and service to site specific activities across ATSDR

Prevention, Response, and Medical Support Branch

Emergency Response Team

  • Provides technical expertise and site-specific support in addressing the health issues presented by emergency or acute release events and threatened releases of hazardous materials.
  • Provides remote and on-site support during chemical emergencies to local, state, and federal government agencies and the general public, with emphasis on preparing for and preventing emergency events. Call 770-488-7100 24 hours a day, 365 days a year). ER helps communities and emergency response agencies minimize the health impact of environmental emergencies
  • Works within the National Response Plan and CDC guidelines to collaborate with other federal, state, and local agencies during emergency response.
  • Develops information resources and guidance for first responders and health care providers for use in responding to unplanned releases and spills.

Scientific Assessment and Medical Support Team

  • Conducts special priority setting and evaluation activities.
  • Provides technical expertise to conduct special evaluation activities necessary for support of DTEM programs.
  • Provides infrastructure to support planning and evaluation activities for the toxicology programs of DTEM.
  • Works in partnership with other DTEM branches to ensure that environmental medicine activities incorporate toxicological and emergency preparedness perspectives into their activities.
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Products/Resources

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Programs

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Partners in Toxicology & Environmental Medicine

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CDC INFO / cdcinfo@cdc.gov / 1-800-CDC-INFO
This page was updated on 08/07/2008