Public Health Assessment Public Comment Release
People who may be more sensitive to chemical exposures because of
Special
certain factors such as age, a disease they already have, occupation, sex,
Populations
or certain behaviors (like cigarette smoking). Children, pregnant
women, and older people are often considered special populations.
A branch of the math process of collecting, looking at, and summarizing
Statistics
data or information.
Superfund Site
See NPL.
A way to collect information or data from a group of people
Survey
(population). Surveys can be done by phone, mail, or in person.
ATSDR cannot do surveys of more than nine people without approval
from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A health effect from an exposure to more than one chemical, where one
Synergistic Effect
of the chemicals worsens the effect of another chemical. The combined
effect of the chemicals acting together are greater than the effects of the
chemicals acting by themselves.
Harmful. Any substance or chemical can be toxic at a certain dose
Toxic
(amount). The dose is what determines the potential harm of a chemical
and whether it would cause someone to get sick.
The study of the harmful effects of chemicals on humans or animals.
Toxicology
Abnormal growth of tissue or cells that have formed a lump or mass.
Tumor
Uncertainty
See Safety Factor.
Factor
This category is used in ATSDR=s Public Health Assessment documents
Urgent Public
for sites that have certain physical features or evidence of short-term
Health Hazard
(less than 1 year), site-related chemical exposure that could result in
adverse health effects and require quick intervention to stop people
from being exposed.
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