Activities in
North Dakota
ATSDR in Partnership With
assessment is a
In fiscal years
written, comprehensive
North Dakota
19992004, ATSDR
evaluation of available
awarded more than
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
data and information
6,000 in direct
Registry (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency
about the release of
funds and services to
responsible for implementing the health-related
hazardous substances
North Dakota.
provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental
into the environment in
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
a specific geographic
(CERCLA). ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal
area. Such releases
agency with more than 400 employees and a budget
are assessed for current or future impact on public
for 2004 of approximately million. ATSDR
health. ATSDR, in collaboration with public health
assesses the presence and nature of health hazards at
and environmental officials from North Dakota, has
specific Superfund sites, helps to prevent or reduce
conducted two public health assessments in the state.
further exposure and illnesses resulting from those
A health consultation is a written or oral response
hazards, and expands the knowledge base about the
from ATSDR to a specific request for information
health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
about health risks related to a specific site, chemical
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to
release, or hazardous material. A health consultation
carry out its mission to serve the public by using
is a more limited response than a public health
the best science, taking responsive public health
assessment. Four health consultations have been
actions, and providing trusted health information
developed at four sites in North Dakota, including
to prevent harmful exposures and disease related
the following recent examples.
to toxic substances. ATSDR provides funding and
Former Robinson Insulation Minot Plant--In
technical assistance to states and other partners
September 2003, ATSDR released a health
consultation for the former Robinson Insulation
identify and evaluate environmental health threats
Plant in Minot. Until it closed in the early 1980s,
to communities. These resources enable state and
the plant processed more than 16,000 tons of
local health departments and other grantees to further
asbestos-contaminated vermiculite ore mined in
investigate environmental health concerns and to
Libby, Montana. ATSDR concluded that the site
educate communities. In fiscal years 19992004,
currently poses no health hazard to area residents.
ATSDR awarded more than 6,000 in direct funds
However, former facility employees were
and services to North Dakota for financial support of
exposed to elevated levels of asbestos. Residents
specific environmental health activities. In addition
of employees' households also may have been
to direct funds and services, ATSDR staff provides
exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on
technical and administrative guidance for state-
employees' clothing. As a result, employees
conducted site activities.
and people who lived in their homes may be at
increased risk for asbestos-related diseases.
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
This site is part of ATSDR's National Asbestos
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
Exposure Review (NAER) being conducted with
other federal, state, and local environmental and
One of ATSDR's important mandates is to conduct
public health agencies. NAER is an examination
of more than 200 U.S. sites that received asbestos-
List (NPL) sites and of other sites where a significant
contaminated vermiculite ore mined in Libby from
threat to public health might exist. A public health
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