Activities in
South Carolina
ATSDR in Partnership With
threat to public health
From fiscal years 1987
might exist. Twenty-
South Carolina
through 2002, ATSDR
eight sites have been
awarded more than
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Regis-
designated to the NPL
.1 million in direct
try (ATSDR) is the lead public health agency respon-
in South Carolina.
funds and services to
sible for implementing the health-related provisions
A public health
South Carolina.
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
assessment is a
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA).
written, comprehensive
ATSDR is an Atlanta-based federal agency with more
evaluation of available data and information on the
than 400 employees and an annual budget for 2002
release of hazardous substances into the environment
of million. ATSDR is responsible for assessing
in a specific geographic area. Such releases are
the presence and nature of health hazards at specific
assessed for current or future impact on public
Superfund sites, helping to prevent or reduce further
health. ATSDR, in collaboration with public health
exposure and illnesses resulting from those hazards,
and environmental officials from South Carolina,
and expanding the knowledge base about the health
has conducted 46 health assessments in the state.
effects of exposure to hazardous substances.
Following is a recent example of a public health
ATSDR works closely with state agencies to carry
assessment conducted in the state.
out its mission to serve the public by using the best
Aqua-Tech Environmental, Inc.--ATSDR
science, taking responsive public health actions, and
awarded funds to the South Carolina
providing trusted health information to prevent harm-
Department of Health and Environmental
ful exposures and disease related to toxic substances.
Control (SCDHEC) to conduct a public health
ATSDR provides funding and technical assistance
assessment of this site in Greer to evaluate its
public health significance. In the past, the site
agreements and grants to identify and evaluate envi-
was a hazardous waste treatment, storage, and
ronmental health threats to communities. These re-
disposal facility as well as a municipal landfill
sources enable state and local health departments and
and a general dump site for local residents.
other grantees to further investigate environmental
The health assessment, released in March 2001,
health concerns and to educate communities. From
fiscal years 1987 through 2002, ATSDR awarded
classified the site as no apparent health hazard.
more than .1 million in direct funds and services
This classification means that no data were found
to South Carolina for comprehensive support of
to indicate that area residents or others near
the site were being exposed to any site-related
its environmental health unit. In addition to direct
chemicals above levels of concern.
funds and services, ATSDR staff provides technical
and administrative guidance for state-conducted site
A health consultation is a written or oral response
activities.
from ATSDR to a specific request for information
about health risks related to a specific site, chemical
ATSDR Site-Specific Activities
release, or hazardous material. It is a more limited
Public Health Assessment-Related Activities
response than a public health assessment is. To date,
91 documented health consultations have been con-
One of the agency's important mandates is to conduct
ducted at 50 sites in South Carolina. Following are
examples of health consultations conducted in South
List (NPL) sites and of other sites where a significant
Carolina.
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