Activities in
Maryland
ATSDR in Partnership With
assessment is a
In fiscal years 1988
written, comprehensive
Maryland
2004, ATSDR awarded
evaluation of available
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
more than .4 million
data and information
Registry (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency
in direct funds and
about the release of
responsible for implementing the health-related
services to Maryland.
hazardous substances
provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
into the environment
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
in a specific geographic area. Such releases are
(CERCLA). ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal
assessed for past, current, or future impact on public
agency with more than 400 employees and a budget
health. ATSDR, in collaboration with public health
for 2004 of approximately million. ATSDR
and environmental officials from Maryland, has
assesses the presence and nature of health hazards at
conducted 30 public health assessments in the state,
specific Superfund sites, helps to prevent or reduce
including the following recent example.
further exposure and illnesses resulting from those
Andrews Air Force Base (AFB)--Andrews AFB
hazards, and expands the knowledge base about the
is in Prince George's County, about 5 miles
health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
southeast of Washington, D.C. The main base is
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to carry
approximately 4,300 acres, with an additional
out its mission to serve the public by using the best
2,511 acres in remote facilities. Air Force, Army,
science, taking responsive public health actions,
Navy, and Marine Corps divisions reside at the
and providing trusted health information to prevent
base. The base also is home to Air Force One.
harmful exposures and disease related to toxic
Remediation at Andrews AFB began in 1985; the
Maryland Department of the Environment,
grants, ATSDR provides funding and technical
Prince George's County Health Department
assistance to states and other partners to identify and
(PGCHD), and the U.S. Environmental Protection
evaluate environmental health threats to communities.
Agency (EPA) have provided oversight and have
These resources enable state and local health
been involved in the process. Since 1985, 32 sites
departments and other grantees to further investigate
under the remediation program and 78 solid waste
environmental health concerns and to educate
management units have been identified that require
communities. In fiscal years 19882004, ATSDR
investigation or potential remediation. Andrews
awarded more than .4 million in direct funds and
AFB was placed on the NPL in May 1999,
services to Maryland for financial support of specific
environmental health activities. In addition to direct
Creek watershed.
funds and services, ATSDR provides technical and
administrative guidance for state-conducted site
routine operations (e.g., the use of toxic materials
activities.
for aircraft operations and maintenance, fire
training, civil engineering, vehicle maintenance,
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
and dry cleaning) and accidental spills, including
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
chlorinated solvent and petroleum releases.
One of ATSDR's important mandates is to conduct
property; however, some contamination has
public health assessments of
all National Priorities
List (NPL) sites and of other sites where a significant
surface water.
threat to public health might exist. A public health