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Vinyl Chloride and High-Fat Diet as a Model of Environment and Obesity Interaction
Published on: January 12, 2020
Health effects of hazardous waste
Steve M Dearwent1, M Moiz Mumtaz, Gail Godfrey
1Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. sdearwent@cdc.gov
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|November 23, 2006
Summary
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) assesses environmental hazards at thousands of sites. While most sites pose no public health threat, some present risks from contaminants like lead, asbestos, and perchlorate.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Public Health Risk Assessment
Background:
- The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has evaluated environmental contaminants and human health risks at nearly 3000 sites since 1995.
- Sites are classified by hazard level, with less than 1% posing urgent public health threats and approximately 20% having potential for long-term exposures above acceptable risk levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the ATSDR's ongoing work in evaluating environmental contaminants and human health risks.
- To examine historic (lead), contemporary (asbestos), and emerging (perchlorate) contamination issues.
Main Methods:
- Review of ATSDR site investigations and hazard classifications.
- Analysis of common contaminants and completed exposure pathways at evaluated sites.
- Case study examination of lead, asbestos, and perchlorate contamination.
Main Results:
- Nearly 3000 sites evaluated by ATSDR since 1995.
- Completed exposure pathways identified at approximately 30% of sites.
- Common contaminants include heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and polychlorinated biphenyls.
Conclusions:
- ATSDR plays a crucial role in assessing and managing public health risks from environmental hazards.
- A significant portion of evaluated sites require ongoing monitoring and risk management.
- Understanding historic, contemporary, and emerging contaminants is vital for public health protection.
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