Activities in
Vermont
ATSDR in Partnership With
ATSDR, in collabora-
ATSDR has conducted
tion with public health
Vermont
11 health assessments
and environmental of-
and 27 health consulta-
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Regis-
ficials from Vermont,
tions in the state of
try (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency respon-
has conducted health
Vermont.
sible for implementing the health-related provisions
assessments at 11 sites
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
in the state.
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
An example of a public
ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal agency with more
health assessment conducted in Vermont follows:
than 400 employees and an annual budget for 2003 of
Pownal Tannery--This site is a former cowhide
approximately million. ATSDR is responsible for
and sheephide tanning and finishing operation
assessing the presence and nature of health hazards at
in southwestern Vermont that operated from
specific Superfund sites, helping to prevent or reduce
1937 to 1988. Sampling data showed that the site
further exposure and illnesses resulting from those
was contaminated with heavy metals, dioxins,
hazards, and expanding the knowledge base about the
semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs),
health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to carry
volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
out its mission of preventing exposure to contami-
ATSDR conducted an initial site visit to the
nants at hazardous waste sites and preventing adverse
Pownal Tannery in December 1998. In May
health effects. ATSDR provides funding and techni-
1999, ATSDR conducted a follow-up visit to the
cal assistance to states and other partners through
site. This visit included community outreach and
education activities and a reevaluation of site
evaluate environmental health threats to communi-
conditions. The initial public health assessment
ties. These resources enable state and local health de-
was released in September 1999. The site was
partments to further investigate environmental health
categorized as a public health hazard because
concerns and to educate communities. In addition to
on-site dilapidated buildings posed physical
direct funds and services, ATSDR provides technical
hazards. ATSDR recommended further measures
and administrative guidance for state-conducted site
to restrict access to the site. Subsequently, the
activities.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
secured the area and initiated remediation.
ATSDR also recommended additional sampling
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
to better characterize the extent of on-site and
One of the agency's important mandates is to conduct
public health assessments of
all National Priorities
and drinking water wells. ATSDR also requested
List (NPL) sites and of other sites where a significant
water, sediment, and biota sampling from the
threat to public health might exist. Eleven sites in
Hoosic River downstream from the site. EPA
Vermont have been designated to the NPL.
collected this additional information. In January
2001, ATSDR released the final public health
A public health assessment is a written, comprehen-
assessment.
sive evaluation of available data and information on
the release of hazardous substances into the environ-
A health consultation is a written or oral response
ment in a specific geographic area. Such releases are
from ATSDR to a specific request for information
assessed for current or future impact on public health.