substances and adverse health effects. Health studies
the association between the risk for childhood
also define health problems that require further in-
brain cancer and residence near NPL sites. The
vestigation through, for example, health surveillance
draft final report has been completed and is
or an epidemiologic study. Following are examples
undergoing external peer review.
of health studies or investiga-
Asthma and Hazardous
tions that ATSDR conducted
Substances--In fiscal year
or supported in New York.
2002, ATSDR awarded a
World Trade Center
Health Registry--The
Hunter College to research
World Trade Center
the impact of hazardous
Health Registry is a
substances on asthma.
collaborative effort
PCB-Hudson River
involving NYC DOHMH
Study--ATSDR awarded a
and ATSDR, as well as
grant to NYS DOH to study
academic institutions,
exposures to polychlorinated
public agencies, and
biphenyls in older residents of
community groups. The
affected communities on the
registry was created
HSEES decontamination drill.
Hudson River. Data analysis
because the long-term
began in mid-2003 and will
health effects, if any, among people who lived
be completed in late 2004. A draft report of the
or worked near the WTC site on September 11,
study will be completed in late 2005.
2001, are not known. The registry is a
Love Canal Follow-up Study--ATSDR granted
comprehensive and confidential health survey of
funds to NYS DOH and Health Research Inc. to
persons most directly exposed to the events of
comprehensively follow up residents of the Love
September 11.
Canal Emergency Declaration Area to determine
People enrolled in the registry will be contacted
whether they are at increased risk for adverse
periodically over the next 20 years to track
health outcomes associated with residential
any changes in their physical or mental health.
Interviews are being conducted through August
Love Canal Superfund sites. Data analysis and
2004; more than 25,000 have been completed to
report generation are under way.
date.
Hazardous Substances Emergency Events
Exposure to Tremolite Asbestos in Vermiculite
Surveillance System (HSEES)--ATSDR
established HSEES in 1990 to collect and
to NYS DOH to conduct a health statistics
analyze information about releases of hazardous
review of communities in New York that
substances that need to be cleaned up or
received contaminated vermiculite ore from the
neutralized according to federal, state, or local
W.R. Grace mine in Libby, Montana. NYS DOH
law and about threatened releases that result in
is reviewing cancer incidence data and mortality
a public health action, such as evacuation. The
data for asbestos-related diseases among residents
goal of HSEES is to reduce the morbidity and
of seven communities in New York who received
mortality of first responders, employees, and
the contaminated vermiculite. The results are
the general public from hazardous substances
being compared with national and statewide
emergencies. Fifteen state health departments,
rates to determine whether potential exposures to
including New York, participate in HSEES.
asbestos may be associated with adverse health
HSEES captures data on over 8,000 events
outcomes in these communities. A draft report of
annually. Of these, 80% occur at fixed facilities,
the study is expected in early 2005.
and 20% are transportation-related events. Most
Multistate Case-Control Study of Childhood
events occur from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday
Brain Cancer--ATSDR conducted this
through Friday. Persons most often injured are
population-based case-control study to examine
employees.