Search | Index | Home | Glossary | Contact Us | |
|
|
|
|
Public Health AdvisoriesWhat is ATSDR?ATSDR is the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a federal public health agency. ATSDR is part of the Public Health Service in the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR is not a regulatory agency like the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Created by Superfund legislation in 1980, ATSDR's mission 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. Through its programs - including surveillance, registries, health studies, environmental health education, and applied substance-specific research - and by working with other federal, state, and local government agencies, ATSDR acts to protect public health.What is a Public Health Advisory?A Public Health Advisory is a way for ATSDR to respond quickly when hazardous substances released into the environment pose an immediate and significant danger to people's health. It is a notice sent directly from ATSDR's administrator to EPA's administrator that alerts EPA to a public health threat. Other government agencies such as state and local health and environmental agencies are also notified about the problem. ATSDR works with all these agencies to take action to protect the public. A Public Health Advisory reports information available about a
release of toxic material, whether people might be exposed to it, and what
harm exposure might cause. Public Health Advisories consider :
What Happens After the Public Health Advisory?Because ATSDR Public Health Advisories address an immediate and significant danger to people's health, they usually result in quick action by regulatory and health agencies. Recommendations ATSDR makes in Public Health Advisories cover many activities by EPA, state environmental and health agencies, and by ATSDR. Public Health Advisory recommendations can contribute to :
ATSDR Public Health Assessments are like Public Health Advisories, but are more detailed. They rely on three main types of information :
|
For more
information, contact ATSDR at:
1-800-CDC-INFO or e-mail
(public inquiries)
Revised December 15, 2004
ATSDR Home | Search | Index | Glossary | Contact Us
About ATSDR | News Archive | ToxFAQs | Public Health Assessments
Privacy Policy | External Links Disclaimer | Accessibility
US Department of Health and Human Services