ATSDR -- FY 1999 AGENCY PROFILE AND ANNUAL REPORT
exposure, and better define who is actually likely to be exposed as a result of
chemical releases into the environment. After a period of development, ATSDR
began to routinely use a variety of methods and approaches as integral
components of the public health assessment process. These include
Geographical information systems,
Exposure investigations,
Fate and transport models, and
Exposure-dose reconstruction.
These techniques provide the scientific support for evaluating exposures
when conducting public health assessments. This chapter highlights these
methods and approaches and gives examples of how they have been used in
the public health assessment process. The integration of these techniques helps
to provide a clearer spatial and temporal picture (i.e., a series of snapshots of
places and time) of the potential for exposures in the past, present, and future.
This chapter also provides an overview of some significant ATSDR
program activities and accomplishments. Highlighted are ATSDR's
commitments to working more closely with tribal nations and communities
and to protecting the health of children living near hazardous waste sites.
These programmatic activities, along with the expanding use of better scientific
tools and methods, are critical to addressing exposure and ultimately
evaluating the impact of hazardous waste sites on the health of communities.
ATSDR'S COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT PROGRAMS
ATSDR's 607 Cooperative Agreement Program provides funds and technical
oversight for participating states to conduct health assessments, consultations,
and studies, and to provide health education in communities near hazardous
waste sites. Staff members in participating state health departments use ATSDR
guidance for conducting public health assessments, consultations, and other
activities. In FY 1999, ATSDR had cooperative agreements with 23 states under
this program. ATSDR also had cooperative agreements in FY 1999 with five
other states under a similar program that allows states to conduct health
assessments, consultations, and health education activities.
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