DIVISION OF TOXICOLOGY

The mission of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is to prevent exposure and adverse human health effects and diminished quality of life associated with exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites, unplanned releases, and other sources of pollution present in the environment.

The Division of Toxicology supports this mission by developing and implementing a comprehensive toxicology program encompassing the following standards:

• Credible science, as evidenced by strategically targeted research and scholarship

 
• Critical assessment of current knowledge and emerging science relevant to hazardous wastes

 
• Public service by developing innovative tools and strategies oriented to identified client needs

• Identify and publish a priority list of substances of greatest concern at National Priorities List (NPL) sites or facilities

 
• Coordinate all activities and database development associated with toxicological profiles and research on the identified hazardous substances

 
• Provide substance-specific consultations, as needed

 
• Initiate toxicologic studies of hazardous substances to expand the knowledge of the relationship between exposure to hazardous substances and adverse health effects in people

 
• Coordinate ATSDR toxicology activities with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Toxicology Program, and other appropriate international, federal, state, local, or public programs

 
• Develop innovative methods and protocols to guide quantitative risk assessment to support ATSDSR's public health assessment responsibilities

Emergency Response and Scientific Assessment Branch (ERSAB)

• Coordinate all activities that identify, evaluate, and prioritize hazardous substances that lead to publication of the Priority List of Hazardous Substances.

 
• Coordinate ATSDR minimal risk level workgroup activities that lead to deriving MRLs and other health-based guidelines

 
• Coordinate activities to develop the hazardous substances component of ATSDR's Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database (HazDat)

• Develop, implement, and coordinate a program of research designed to determine the health effects of the hazardous substances identified to ATSDR

 
• Provide expertise to rank data needs and to support the overall toxicology program of the division

 
• Administer ATSDR-sponsored projects that result from the substance-specific program of applied research

• Coordinate all activities to develop, peer review, produce, and distribute toxicological profiles

 
• Provide scientific, management, and technical information support to ATSDR and its constituents through the ATSDR Information Center

• A priority list of 275 hazardous substances identified by frequency of occurrence at NPL sites, inherent toxicity, and potential for human exposure

 
• Toxicological profiles on 209 substances from the ATSDR Priority List of Hazardous Substances

 
• A guide to help determine priority data needs for substances on the ATSDR hazardous substances list

 

• Resources and services that emphasize the areas of environmental health and toxicology provided through the ATSDR Information Center

For more information

Division of Toxicology
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-29
Atlanta, GA 30333

Phone 404-639-6300 or 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
Fax 404-639-6315
 

Division of Toxicology
ATSDR Information Center
1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-57
Atlanta, GA 30333

Phone 404-639-6357 or 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737)
Fax 404-639-6359

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