ATSDR conducted a health consultation that
and developing actions to address them. Through
addressed Delegate Christensen's request. In the
health consultation, ATSDR concluded that the
Clinicians Network, ATSDR provides assistance
concentrations of VOCs or total trihalomethanes
to health care providers working with migrant and
detected in the cisterns would not cause upset
seasonal farm workers. The Migrant Clinicians
stomachs or rashes.
Network, the second largest clinical network in
the United States, brings together clinicians from
The health consultation released in May 2000
various professions to meet the needs of migrant
explains how ATSDR determined that the
and seasonal farm workers. Nine health care
contaminated water found in the drinking water
organizations in the Virgin Islands are members of
cisterns at the school did not come from the
the Migrant Clinicians Network.
Tutu Wellfield site. To ensure that the drinking
water at the school does not contain any
Resource Materials
ATSDR recommended that authorities in the
ATSDR develops materials for public health
Virgin Islands conduct regular monitoring of the
professionals and medical care providers to use
school's drinking water supply in accordance
to assess the public health impacts of chemical
with the Virgin Islands Territorial Safe Drinking
exposures. These resources are available in print,
Water Act.
on the ATSDR Web site, and on CD-ROM. For
example, medical management guidelines are
In August 2004, at Delegate Christensen's request,
available for acute chemical exposures to more
ATSDR met with residents in St. Croix and St.
than 50 chemicals. These guidelines were designed
Thomas. At the St. Croix meeting, residents
to aid emergency department physicians and other
reported health concerns they have about the nearby
emergency health care professionals, such as first
Hovensa petrochemical plant and the former St.
responders, who manage acute exposures resulting
Croix Alumina Plant. At this time, no specific
from chemical incidents. ATSDR's toxicological
ATSDR activities are planned for St. Croix; however,
profiles comprehensively describe health effects;
Delegate Christensen expects some follow-up
pathways of human exposure; and the behavior of
from the agency's Office of Environmental Justice
more than 250 hazardous substances in air, soil, and
with the Virgin Islands Department of Health,
water at hazardous waste sites. Health professionals
the community health center, and members of the
at all levels use the toxicological profiles primarily
community.
as comprehensive resources. These profiles have
At the St. Thomas meeting, residents voiced their
been sent to requesters, including representatives of
health concerns about the nearby Bovoni landfill.
federal, state, and local health and environmental
ATSDR plans to return to St. Thomas to participate in
departments; academic institutions; private
community health education seminars offered by the
industries; and nonprofit organizations in the Virgin
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. ATSDR has
Islands. ATSDR also has developed extensive
also started discussions with the health department
resources for community members.
for potentially educating local physicians and nurses
in the environmental arena (e.g., information on
at the Bovoni site). In addition, ATSDR staff will
evaluate the public health significance of any air
data that become available for areas surrounding the
Bovoni Landfill.
Health Education and Community Activities
For more information, contact ATSDR toll-free
As part of its ongoing outreach activities in
at 1-888-42ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or visit
affected communities, ATSDR proactively involves
the ATSDR Web site at www.atsdr.cdc.gov.
communities in identifying their health concerns
August 2004
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