Activities in
Kentucky
ATSDR in Partnership With
been designated to the
From fiscal years 1990
NPL in Kentucky.
Kentucky
through 2002, ATSDR
A public health
awarded more than
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Regis-
assessment
0,000 in direct funds
try (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency respon-
is a written,
and services to Kentucky.
sible for implementing the health-related provisions
comprehensive
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
evaluation of
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
available data and information on the release of
ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal agency with more
hazardous substances into the environment in a
than 400 employees and an annual budget for 2002
specific geographic area. Such releases are assessed
of million. ATSDR is responsible for assessing
for current or future impact on public health. ATSDR,
the presence and nature of health hazards at specific
in collaboration with public health and environmental
Superfund sites, helping to prevent or reduce further
officials from Kentucky, has conducted 26 health
exposure and illnesses resulting from those hazards,
assessments in the state. Following is a recent
and expanding the knowledge base about the health
example of a public health assessment conducted in
effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
Kentucky.
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to carry
Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP)--
out its mission to serve the public by using the best
PGDP, about 10 miles west of Paducah, uses
science, taking responsive public health actions, and
gaseous diffusion to produce enriched uranium.
providing trusted health information to prevent harm-
Process operations and waste disposal activities
ful exposures and disease related to toxic substances.
have resulted in significant releases of radiologic
ATSDR provides funding and technical assistance
surface water, soil, and the atmosphere. A health
agreements and grants to identify and evaluate
assessment released in May 2002 evaluated
environmental health threats to communities. These
off-site migration of hazardous substances from
resources enable state and local health departments
PGDP to the surrounding community and the
and other grantees to further investigate environ-
potential health effects to community members
mental health concerns and to educate communi-
from exposure to these substances.
ties. From fiscal years 1990 through 2001, ATSDR
awarded more than 0,000 in direct funds and
ATSDR's six specific conclusions about chemical
services to Kentucky for financial support of specific
potential human exposure pathways were
environmental health activities. In addition to direct
funds and services, ATSDR staff provides technical
1. PDGP currently poses no apparent public
and administrative guidance for state-conducted site
health hazard to the off-site community
activities.
because exposure is not taking place at levels
that would likely cause adverse human health
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
effects.
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
2. The unlikely event of a future rupture of one
One of the agency's important mandates is to conduct
or more depleted uranium cylinders would
create an urgent public health hazard for
List (NPL) sites and of other sites where a significant
anyone near the damaged cylinders.
threat to public health might exist. Twenty sites have
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