Activities in
Massachusetts
ATSDR in Partnership With
List (NPL) sites
From fiscal years 1987
and of other sites
Massachusetts
through 2002, ATSDR award-
where a significant
ed more than .8 million in
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
threat to public
direct funds and services to
Registry (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency
health might exist.
the state of Massachusetts.
responsible for implementing the health-related provi-
Thirty-five sites
sions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
in Massachusetts
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
have been designated to the NPL.
ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal agency with more
A public health assessment is a written, comprehen-
than 400 employees and an annual budget for 2003 of
sive evaluation of available data and information on
approximately million. ATSDR is responsible for
the release of hazardous substances into the environ-
assessing the presence and nature of health hazards at
ment in a specific geographic area. Such releases are
specific Superfund sites, helping to prevent or reduce
assessed for current or future impact on public health.
further exposure and illnesses resulting from those
ATSDR, in collaboration with public health and
hazards, and expanding the knowledge base about the
environmental officials from Massachusetts, has con-
health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
ducted 64 health assessments in the state. Following
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to carry
is an example of a public health assessment conducted
out its mission to serve the public by using the best
in the state:
science, taking responsive public health actions,
Shpack Landfill--Residents from the
and providing trusted health information to pre-
communities of Norton and Attleboro were
vent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic
concerned about the perceived elevations of
substances. ATSDR provides funding and technical
cancer incidence in relation to the Shpack
assistance to states and other partners through coop-
Landfill site. The Massachusetts Department
erative agreements and grants to identify and evaluate
of Public Health (MDPH) held a public
environmental health threats to communities. These
meeting with community residents and has
resources enable state and local health departments
begun an evaluation of cancer incidence data in
to further investigate environmental health concerns
Attleboro and Norton in response to community
and to educate communities. ATSDR has coopera-
concerns. MDPH coordinated this meeting with
tive agreements or grants with 31 states, 1 American
Congressman Barney Frank's office and state
Indian nation (the Gila River Indian Community),
legislative representatives. In addition, MDPH is
and 1 commonwealth (the Puerto Rico Department
coordinating a public availability session in the
of Health). From fiscal years 1987 through 2002,
community to gather information on residents'
ATSDR awarded more than .8 million in direct
concerns and needs in relation to the site.
funds and services to the state of Massachusetts. In
South Weymouth Naval Air Station
addition to direct funds and services, ATSDR provides
(SWNAS)--This site is in the towns of
technical and administrative guidance for state-con-
Abington, Rockland, and Weymouth, and
ducted site activities.
borders Hingham. Previous site operations from
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
1941 to 1997 included aviation training, aircraft
support, logistic support, and blimp operations.
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
Community concerns have focused on cancer
One of the agency's important mandates is to conduct
incidence patterns in relation to hazardous waste
sites, including SWNAS, as well as on possible
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