National Center for Environmental Health-ATSDR

Abstract

ATSDR's mission is to serve the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to prevent harmful exposures and disease related exposures to toxic substances. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ATSDR protects communities from harmful health effects related to exposure to natural and man-made hazardous substances. The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) is a program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that focuses on promoting a healthy environment and preventing premature death and avoidable illness and disability caused by non-infectious, non-occupational environmental factors. NCEH is particularly dedicated to protecting the health of vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is a sister agency to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is located in Atlanta, Georgia. It is a federal public health agency that conducts research on the health impacts of hazardous waste sites and provides information and recommendations to federal and state agencies, community members, and other interested parties. However, ATSDR does not handle the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Instead, it focuses on providing timely information to the public on emergency response procedures, education and training on hazardous material handling, and updates and press releases on ongoing issues. Overall, US government's mission ‘Healthy People 2030’ remains the major driving force under the umbrella of both NCEH and CDC efforts.