agreement with ATSDR to conduct an asthma
southeast Massachusetts that surround or are
study to determine whether the prevalence of
adjacent to the study communities. The study is
pediatric asthma in each Merrimack Valley
expected to be completed by fiscal year 2005.
community is higher than the rate from a
Nyanza--The Nyanza NPL site in Ashland is
demographically similar comparison community.
a former dye-manufacturing facility. Residents
The project will also compare Merrimack Valley
of Ashland reported several cases of various
pediatric asthma prevalence in areas with greater
types of sarcomas among young adults from
opportunity for exposure to incinerator emissions
the same graduating class in Ashland. MDPH
with areas with lesser opportunity for exposure.
has worked closely with a community advisory
Data were collected and reported to MDPH by
committee in conducting a retrospective cohort
school health nurses, who provided complete
study to examine the possible relationship
and accurate pediatric asthma data for these
between exposure opportunities to the Nyanza
communities. Preliminary results indicate that
site as a risk factor for cancer. Through extensive
other data sources, such as hospital discharge
outreach efforts, aided by community members,
data, greatly underestimate pediatric asthma rates
approximately 1,700 persons who attended
in these communities and indicate the value of
school in Ashland during 1960 to 1985 agreed
school health records as a source of pediatric
to participate in the study. These persons were
asthma data. This model of collecting pediatric
interviewed for this study and medical records of
asthma data has received national attention. The
those diagnosed with cancer were sought. Data
results of this pediatric asthma data collection
collection has been completed, and data analysis
should be released by the end of fiscal year 2003.
is ongoing. Study results are expected to be
Exposure to Tremolite Asbestos in Vermiculite
available during fiscal year 2004.
Brownfields
agreement with ATSDR to conduct health
In 1997 the Brownfields National Partnership, a
statistics reviews related to human exposure
collaboration of 17 federal agencies, was formed to
to contaminated vermiculite ore at sites in
address local clean-up and reuse issues in a more
Massachusetts that received ore or processed
coordinated manner. ATSDR is among the partici-
ore, or both, from the mine in Libby, Montana.
pating agencies. Brownfields are abandoned, idled,
Determining the Prevalence of Multiple
or underused industrial and commercial properties
Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral
where expansion or redevelopment is complicated
Sclerosis (ALS) in Communities Living
Around Hazardous Waste Sites--MDPH was
agencies participating in the partnership offer special
technical, financial, and other assistance to selected
to develop a methodology for estimating
communities--Brownfields Showcase Communi-
the prevalence of ALS and MS and to apply
ties--to demonstrate the benefits of focused, coordi-
that methodology in five towns where very
nated attention on brownfields. In 1998, 16 showcase
active concerns about ALS and MS exist.
communities were selected for the pilot program. In
These towns also have either EPA or state-
October 2000, 12 additional showcase communities
recognized hazardous waste sites. One town,
were selected for redevelopment. In Massachusetts,
Middleborough, has metal plating and organic
two communities, the city of New Bedford, and
solvent wastewater sites, as well as agricultural
the cities of Everett, Malden, and Medford, which
activities (e.g., cranberry growing) that use
make up the Mystic Valley, were selected to receive
pesticides and herbicides. The other four
grants.
towns (Weymouth, Abington, Rockland, and
Hingham) surround the South Weymouth Naval
Air Station NPL site. Heavy metals, solvents,
For more information, contact ATSDR toll-free
at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or visit the
for these four communities. The comparison
ATSDR Web page at www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
population consists of 23 communities in
July 2003