normal range for the general public and did not
of hazardous waste sites. These goals will be ad-
indicate mercury toxicity. However, homes where
dressed by initiating research to fill ATSDR-identified
floors were vacuumed or washed regularly were
data needs for priority hazardous substances, and by
more likely to show higher levels of urinary
enhancing existing disciplinary capacities to conduct
mercury than were other homes because the
research in environmental health at foundation mem-
ber institutions, one of which is Meharry Medical
frequent cleaning caused mercury to be dispersed
College of Nashville.
into the air. The study recommended that mercury
decontamination be conducted in all homes with
The main objective of the ongoing studies at Meharry
air mercury concentrations above specified levels.
Medical College is to address the gap in our knowl-
North Hollywood Dump Site, Memphis--The
edge about the reproductive and developmental
objective of this study was to determine whether
effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Meharry scientists
residents near the North Hollywood Dump site
established a state-of-the-art inhalation exposure
had elevated body burdens of chemicals from the
facility and published data on the complete charac-
terization of their operating system. Their research
tests, or both. The final report found no evidence
has shown that after inhalation exposure BaP reaches
of residents having increased health effects that
reproductive and various other tissues in male and
could be attributed to the dump site. Increased
female animals and affects sperm maturation. This
pesticide levels in serum and adipose tissue were
research has also shown how BaP is broken down
associated with eating fish from the Wolf River.
and removed from the body over time, and that its
The landfill is being monitored for movement of
breakdown products are transferred from mother to
developing fetus and can induce neurologic effects
in treated animals, and it or its metabolites can alter
Chattanooga Creek Area, Site-Specific
molecular factors believed to be critical for fetal ner-
vous system development and function. This work is
agreement in 1994 to conduct site-specific
ongoing, and additional results are expected.
health activities related to human exposure to
hazardous substances at this site. The hazards
Resource Materials
at this site relate to past, present, and future
exposures to coal tar in and along Chattanooga
ATSDR develops materials that public health profes-
Creek, which contains carcinogenic polycyclic
sionals and medical care providers can use to assess
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at levels higher
the public health impacts of chemical exposures.
than ATSDR's minimum cancer risk evaluation
Resources are available in print, on the ATSDR Web
guideline. Phase I of the study at this site
site, and on CD-ROM. For example, medical man-
examined the extent of possible exposures
agement guidelines are available for acute chemical
for residents and former residents living near
exposures to more than 40 chemicals. ATSDR's toxi-
Chattanooga Creek, the homeless people who live
cological profiles comprehensively describe health ef-
on the creek banks, and people from other areas
fects; pathways of human exposure; and the behavior
who fish in the creek. Data gathered included
of more than 250 hazardous substances in air, soil,
the amount of time individuals spent near the
and water at hazardous waste sites. In the last 5 years,
more than 6,000 of these profiles have been sent to
requesters, including representatives of federal, state,
the tar deposits. The final report was published in
and local health and environmental departments; aca-
1999.
demic institutions; private industries; and nonprofit
organizations in Tennessee.
Minority Health Professions
Foundation Research Program
This program supplements the substance-specific
For more information, contact ATSDR toll-free
information needs of the public and the scientific
at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or visit the
community and supplies necessary information for
ATSDR Web page at www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
conducting comprehensive public health assessments
July 2003
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