NARRATOR: The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services based in Atlanta, Georgia.
ATSDR is a sister agency to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.
For nearly 30 years, ATSDR has served the public by using the best science to educate and protect communities from harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.
KEVIN HORTON: ATSDR has many different disciplines: environmental health, epidemiology, public health scientists,
and health communication specialists and we all work together as a team to address the environmental health problems facing communities.
YOULANDA OUTIN: We partner with many different organizations, both faith-based and community based. And tribal.
NARRATOR: In fact, ATSDR is one of the few federal agencies working directly with communities to ensure collaboration in on-site response, research and outreach.
Our experts meet with communities through localized gatherings, in open forums,
and even at their homes to listen to environmental health concerns and share information obtained from local investigations.
By working closely with communities and partner organizations, ATSDR helps ensure people have access to important information about health risks in their neighborhoods, towns and cities.
ANA POMALES: I’ve worked on various projects including investigation of hazardous waste sites, health education activities, public health meetings.
I really enjoy working with the communities. I like going out to the field and learning about their specific concerns and based on the research we've done,
to be able to answer their questions, and to educate them about any recommendations that we have put forward that would diminish or minimize any exposure to contaminants.
NARRATOR: Here’s a look at a few areas where we make a significant difference every day.
By examining human exposures to hazardous substances, ATSDR helps reduce associated health effects.
For example, in 1999, ATSDR began evaluating public health concerns in the small mining town of Libby, Montana,
after people learned that the vermiculite ore mined in this area for decades was contaminated with asbestos,
a cancer-causing mineral, ATSDR worked closely with the community, EPA, and others to determine the impact on public health and share information with those at risk.
When exposure happens suddenly, ATSDR’s Emergency Response Teams are available 24 hours a day.
In 2007, the Verdigris River flooded the town of Coffeyville, Kansas, exposing residents to floodwaters contaminated with oil from a local refinery.
ATSDR’s toxicologists, physicians, and other scientists were on the scene quickly,
partnering with the local department of health and EPA to evaluate residents’ health risk, advise on safety precautions,
and develop a screening system to ensure homes and business were safe for returning residents.
The best science and research are ATSDR’s cornerstones.
In the wake of the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks, ATSDR partnered with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to launch a registry to track long-term health effects
among workers, residents, and schoolchildren exposed to smoke, dust, and debris from the disaster.
Ultimately, ATSDR aims to empower communities with the information and resources they need to respond swiftly and efficiently to incidents of hazardous substance exposure.
ATSDR is a community partner and champion for health and safety.
ATSDR Uses the best science and research,
takes responsive public health actions,
and provides trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances.
To learn more, visit us online at www.atsdr.cdc.gov today!
LORA WERNER: These problems are really hard. It's not easy to evaluate environmental health concerns but I think its something that's vitaly important.
We can't always answer the questions,but we need to be there, we need to be that voice and to keep working on these hard questions.