Opinion ID: 709549
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The ATSDR's Statutory Role

Text: 20 Congress created the ATSDR in 1980 as part of CERCLA, and significantly expanded the ATSDR's role as part of the 1986 Superfund Amendments (SARA). Congress gave the Agency the responsibility to effectuate and implement [CERCLA's] health related authorities. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(i)(1). Among those authorities is a requirement that the ATSDR complete a health assessment within one year of an EPA proposal to list a site on the NPL. See 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(i)(6)(A). The purpose of the health assessment is to help determine whether actions ... should be taken to reduce human exposure to hazardous substances from a facility and whether additional information on human exposure and associated health risks is needed and should be acquired by conducting epidemiological studies ..., establishing a health surveillance program ..., or through other means. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(i)(6)(G). Only if the ATSDR Administrator determines that there is a significant increased risk of adverse health effects in humans from exposure to hazardous substances based on the results of a health assessment must the ATSDR initiate a health surveillance program. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(i)(9). Once initiated, the program must include both periodic medical testing to screen the exposed population for disease and a mechanism to refer for treatment anyone who needs medical attention. 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9604(i)(9)(A), (B).