The Goals of ATSDR

GOAL 1 - Identify people at health risk because of their exposure to hazardous substances in the environment.

GOAL 2 - Evaluate relationships between hazardous substances in the environment and adverse human health outcomes.

GOAL 3 - Intervene to eliminate exposures of health concern and prevent or mitigate adverse human health outcomes related to hazardous substances in the environment.

Two considerations are important when interpreting the goals and objectives of ATSDR:

1. ATSDR's goals and objectives are specific to hazardous substances, a legal term defined in CERCLA, as amended, which are contaminants in groundwater, solid waste, or other environmental releases specified in federal statutes covered under the definition. ATSDR emphasizes hazardous substances released into community environments from waste sites or from emergency releases (e.g., transportation mishaps).

2. ATSDR's goals and objectives are coordinated with other federal, state, and local government agencies and private sector organizations whenever such coordination will avoid duplication of programs.

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