Ashland - At this site, WDHFS provides fact sheets, last updated in January 2000, that describe possible health
effects of PAHs, how to avoid contact with contaminants, and information on what is being done at the site.
Grand Rounds have been conducted with area physicians to alert them to what people experience if exposed to
PAHs at the site. Former workers have been provided additional information and the opportunity to have their
exposure histories and health status documented.
Fox River - At this site a television program, starring members of the cooperative agreement staff, was shown
on a public access network on May 5, 2000. Staff demonstrated fish cleaning and preparation techniques that
help reduce exposure to PCBs. Staff have also worked extensively with the Oneida and Hmong communities to
teach them safe fish preparation techniques. Additionally, staff are working on a video, produced in the Hmong
language, to demonstrate the techniques shown on public access television. Informational brochures have been
distributed in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Two Grand Rounds have been provided at two area hospitals to
help physicians work with community members who are worried about their exposure. Fact sheets and other
information have been distributed in innovative ways, such as through the Women Infant and Children (WIC)
Brownfields - Wisconsin will have million available in its brownfields program this fiscal year. It has
identified several continuing projects and new starts. The state is currently combining its efforts with county and
local redevelopment authorities.
Health Studies
A health study is conducted to determine the relationship between exposure to hazardous substances and adverse
health effects. They also define health problems that require further investigation through, for example, a health
surveillance or epidemiologic study.
Following are descriptions of site-specific health studies and investigations that ATSDR has conducted or supported
in Wisconsin.
Chronic and Sentinel Disease Surveillance - Beginning in 1987, ATSDR provided support for the Wiscon-
sin Department of Health and Social Services (WDHSS) chronic and sentinel disease surveillance through
an interagency agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The WDHSS at-
tempted to define the prevalence of selected chronic and sentinel diseases. It also attempted to determine if
selected chronic and sentinel diseases could be associated with exposure to environmental contaminants (e.g.,
living near NPL sites, occupational exposure). A major problem was encountered in associating toxic waste sites
with the incidence of selected cancers. WDHSS found it was not possible to link these because of the inadequacy
of the environmental data; although it was able to describe the prevalence of certain chronic diseases, it was not
able to assess incidence or prevalence rates of disease in relation to NPL site proximity. The final report was
published in February 1992.
Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance System - The Hazardous Substances Emergency
Events Surveillance System (HSEESS) was established by ATSDR in 1990 to collect and analyze information
concerning hazardous substance releases that need to be neutralized according to federal, state, or local law.
HSEESS also collects and analyzes information concerning threatened releases that result in a public health action,
such as an evacuation. The goal of HSEESS is to reduce the morbidity and mortality experienced by first re-
sponders, employees, and the general public, resulting from hazardous substances emergencies. HSEESS captures
data on more than 5,000 events annually; of these, 80% occur at fixed facilities, and 20% are transportation-
related events. The state of Wisconsin has participated in this program since 1991.
Sheboygan River - Several residents around this site reported eating fish from the Sheboygan River that were
contaminated with PCBs. ATSDR supported the WDHSS to evaluate the extent of exposure to PCBs among
three Sheboygan-area subpopulations. In 1994 and 1995, the Wisconsin Department of Health surveyed 67
area anglers, 106 area Hmong households, and 435 participants of the area Women's, Infants, and Children
(WIC) Program, concerning their fish consumption practices, particularly regarding fish caught from the
Sheboygan River. Mean levels of fish consumption among the three subpopulations were comparable to levels
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