Dr. Johnson served from 1986-1998 as the Assistant Administrator of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia. ATSDR is one of the 8 agencies that constitute the Public Health Service. The Agency's mission is to prevent or mitigate adverse human health effects as a consequence of exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. ATSDR services its mission through programs of public health assessments, toxicological research, epidemiological investigations, surveillance programs, exposure registries, health and medical education, and database establishment. As Assistant Administrator, he is responsible for the Agency's programs and overall direction. He holds the rank of Assistant Surgeon General in the Public Health Service. Prior to assuming his current position in 1986, he was Director of the Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Science at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), located in Cincinnati, Ohio. His NIOSH responsibilities included overall responsibility for research programs in the areas of toxicology, ergonomics, physical agents, and occupational stress.
Dr. Johnson's professional contributions have been in the areas of neurotoxicology, ergonomics, environmental toxicology, and environmental policy. He is, or has served as, a member of the editorial boards of Archives of Environmental Health, NeuroToxicology, Toxicology and Industrial Health, Contaminated Soils, Risk Analysis, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, and Journal of Clean Technology and Environmental Sciences. He has co-edited 10 books concerning neurotoxicology and environmental health. Dr. Johnson also served as consultant to the World Health Organization on neurotoxicology and environmental science. He received his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Iowa State University. He is the recipient of PHS medals for Distinguished Service, Meritorious Service, Outstanding Service, and two Commendation Medals. Dr. Johnson also received the prestigious Surgeon General's Medallion. He is the author of Impact of Hazardous Waste on Human Health, which will be published by Ann Arbor Press in 1998.
Dr. Barry Johnson retired from government service on January 1, 1999.
Dr. Johnson is a Fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini.
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