in 2004. The VOC investigation is ongoing
left at the university and at local hospitals and
and will continue through 2005. (2) ATSDR is
major clinics in the area for future reference.
conducting a follow-up exposure investigation
Building on the need for provider and community
to address questions on current versus past
education, ATSDR conducted an introductory
exposures to dioxins. The environmental sampling
community stress management program in
conducted during this exposure investigation will
April 2002 for residents of the Myrtle Grove
provide results to address the concerns of current
Trailer Park site affected by vinyl chloride in
exposure to environmental dioxins in participants'
their drinking water. Follow-up included a needs
homes. (3) ATSDR has several ongoing projects
assessment of the capacity of the local mental
to evaluate environmental data as they become
health system's ability to respond to community
available to address possible pathways and routes
needs. In September 2002, a "train the responder"
of exposure for the community. (4) ATSDR
workshop was conducted to provide tools for
worked with EPA, LDHH, and the community
service delivery and methods to identify future
to present a symposium on environmental health
needs.
for Calcasieu Parish physicians and nurses.
(5) ATSDR is working with the Mossville
the Migrant Clinicians Network, ATSDR provides
Environmental Health Services Workgroup
assistance to health care providers working with
and EPA to address other environmental health
migrant and seasonal farm workers. The Migrant
and environmental justice issues. ATSDR and
Clinicians Network, the second-largest clinical
EPA have had continuing dialogues and meetings
network in the nation, brings together clinicians
with community representatives and groups and
from various professions to meet the needs of
our community partners to plan and coordinate
migrant and seasonal farm workers. The Louisiana
further public health actions.
Primary Care Association and the Southwest
Health Education and Community Activities
Primary Care Association are members of the
Migrant Clinicians Network.
agreement program since 1988. Under this program,
Health Studies
LDHH has received funding and technical assistance
Health studies are investigations to determine the
to develop more than 20 educational tools that relate to
relations between exposures to hazardous substances
human health issues associated with toxic substances
and adverse health effects. They also define health
in the environment. In addition, more than 2,200 Loui-
problems that require further investigation through,
siana residents have attended 41 environmental health
for example, health surveillance or an epidemiologic
education seminars, workshops, or town meetings.
study. Following are examples of health studies that
Following are examples of health education and com-
ATSDR conducted or supported in Louisiana.
munity activities in Louisiana.
American Creosote, Winn Parish--A health
Calcasieu Parish--ATSDR hosted the Calcasieu
statistics review was conducted at this site
Parish Environmental Health Symposium to
to evaluate the relationship between cancer
respond to the Mossville community's concerns
occurrence and site proximity. The review
about health care provider training: the community
also included an assessment of selected birth
thought its local health care providers needed
training on diagnosing, treating, and preventing
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene,
environmentally related illnesses. More than 360
pentachlorophenol, and dioxin. This review
health care professionals attended the February
included many types of cancers; therefore, in
2002 symposium at McNeese State University.
addition to all cancers combined, specific types
Attendees included representatives of five federal
were also assessed. Because of the low geocoding
agencies and numerous regional universities;
rate, the cancer review could not be completed.
attendance exceeded anticipated participation and
In addition, the study found that any calculations
the physical capacity of the facilities. Sets of six
performed on the subset with latitute and longitude
Case Studies in Environmental Medicine and sets
of the complete toxicological profiles series were
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