Research
Lejeune. ATSDR
surveyed by telephone
In 1997, ATSDR awarded
the parents of
cooperative agreement funds
12,598 eligible children
to five universities to conduct
born to women who
research to assess health risk
were pregnant with
after exposure to mixtures
them while living on the
of environmental chemicals.
base during 19681985.
Results of this research will
The number of parents
enable ATSDR to conduct
surveyed was about
toxicity assessments of
80% of the estimated
chemical mixtures that affect
total number who were
public health; study the be-
pregnant while living on
havior of chemical mixtures;
base during this time.
State employee setting up a continuous real-
identify various end points
The year 1968 is the
time air monitor at a residential location as
that would be affected; evalu-
starting point, because
part of the diisocyanate study.
ate target organs that could
that year North Carolina
be affected; study the mechanisms of action, initiation,
began computerizing its birth records. The end
progression, and repair of injury; identify biomarkers
point is 1985, because the tainted wells were
to determine the health of an organism; and develop
shut down that year. Parents were asked whether
qualitative and quantitative methods to assess multiple
the child had a birth defect or had developed
health effects.
a childhood cancer. ATSDR has finished the
The purpose of the research of North Carolina State
survey and is now confirming the cases. All of the
University, one of the awardees, was to develop an
participants who took part in the Camp Lejeune
experimental, computational approach to assess the
survey in 19992002 gave permission to be
absorption of toxic chemicals through the skin after
contacted for future studies.
topical exposures to complex chemical mixtures. This
Environmental Exposure to Diisocyanate--The
study investigated the influence of various components
North Carolina Division of Public Health's
of a mixture that can alter their rate and extent of pen-
Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology
etration and absorption through the skin.
ATSDR, is studying the possibility of diisocyanate
Association of Occupational and
exposures in communities residing near facilities
Environmental Clinics
that use these compounds. The study involves a
stepwise approach of air monitoring and sampling,
questionnaire administration, and blood testing for
Association of Occupational and Environmental Clin-
diisocyanate antibodies in people living within a
ics (AOEC), ATSDR supports one occupational and
quarter mile of a facility. If air monitoring does not
environmental health programs in North Carolina.
indicate the presence of diisocyanate in residential
This support is provided to improve education and
air, another community near another facility will
communication related to surveillance, diagnosis,
be selected. Four communities near facilities,
treatment, and prevention of illness or injury related
along with four comparison communities, will
to exposure to hazardous substances. The member
be tested. Comparison communities are selected
institution in North Carolina is the Duke University
on the basis of socioeconomic, race, and percent
Medical Center Division of Occupational and Envi-
homeownership factors. North Carolina and
ronmental Medicine.
ATSDR are working cooperatively with county
health departments, the facility, and the American
Chemical Society's Diisocyanate Panel. Air
For more information, contact ATSDR toll-free
monitoring began around the first facility in early
at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or visit the
November 2003.
ATSDR Web site at www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
January 2004
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