**GAO-10-449**                      Published: Apr 30, 2010. Publicly Released: May 20, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has faced concerns related to the quality of some of the public health products it publishes. ATSDR investigates community exposures related to certain hazardous chemical sites and releases; assesses associated health effects; and recommends actions to stop, prevent, or minimize harmful effects. ATSDR publishes many types of products, including public health assessments, health consultations, exposure investigations, and health study reports. GAO was asked to examine the extent to which ATSDR's policies and procedures for product preparation, including work initiation, product development, and review and clearance, provide reasonable assurance of product quality. GAO reviewed ATSDR policies and procedures and interviewed agency officials and employees.

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## Topics

Natural Resources and Environment

Agency evaluationData collectionData integrityDatabasesGovernment information disseminationHazardous substancesHealth hazardsInformation managementInformation resources managementInternal controlsInvestigations by federal agenciesInvestigations into federal agenciesMonitoringProduct evaluationPublic healthQuality assuranceRisk assessmentRisk managementStandardsToxic substances and disease registryInformation sharingPolicies and procedures