How can I report a site that may be contaminated near my
home?

By contacting ATSDR, we can direct you to the appropriate division
in our agency.  ATSDR has cooperative agreements (partnerships)
with 23 states to conduct site-related public health assessments or
health consultations.

Does your agency have a toxicologist available during an 
emergency situation?

Yes, we have an emergency response team on duty everyday to pro-
vide technical assistance on health-related situations.

Is ATSDR like a poison control center?

In certain aspects we are similar, but we are more diverse in our 
mission for community health. We have toxicologists and other
health specialists on technical telephone duty everyday, and an
emergency response team to provide technical assistance for 
health-related problems caused by toxic chemical spills or releases
of hazardous substances.

Can ATSDR help me in locating physicians that deal with
illnesses related to chemical exposure?

The ATSDR Information Center refers individuals to member
clinics of the Association of Occupational and Environmental
Clinics (AOEC).  Staff at these clinics are medical doctors that
specialize in treating illnesses caused by chemical exposure. By
contacting the  ATSDR Information Center  you can request the
clinic closest to you.

Can ATSDR assist me with more referrals to different 
hotline numbers?

Yes, ATSDR assists the public in locating health-related infor-
mation as a community service.  Our resource list of toll-free
numbers contains thousands of biomedical information resources
including organizations, databases, research institutions, and the
like.  Our list of hotlines includes a variety of groups disseminating
information on a number of health-related concerns.

Does ATSDR have facilities that are able to test samples
possibly contaminated with hazardous substances?

ATSDR does not have these types of facilities; however, we may
be able to assist you in finding facilities that are able to conduct
these tests.

What is a Superfund site?

Superfund is the name commonly given to the most hazardous waste
sites found around the country. ATSDR is responsible for pro-
tecting the public from adverse health effects associated with ex-
posure to hazardous substances found at these Superfund sites as
well as other sources of pollution in the environment, such as emer-
gency response sites.

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Where can I find telephone numbers for other hotlines, EPA
employees, and other government agencies (headquarters,
regions, states)?

This type of information can be found in the EPA Small Business
Ombudsman (SBO) Update Newsletters, downloadable from the
EPA SBO Home Page at: 

        http://www.epa.gov/sbo/newslet.htm

Also, hotline information can be found at:

        http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm

Contact information for state environmental agencies, state small
business assistance programs, EPA headquarters and regions, and
trade associations can be found on the Small Business Environ-
mental Home Page at: 

        http://www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org

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Where may I dispose of my household wastes, solvents, paints,
and paint cans?

Check with your local authorities (town, county, state) for directions
on how to correctly dispose of  household wastes, solvents, paints,
and paint cans.

How do I dispose of ammonia properly?

Check with your local authorities (town, county, state, and/or
regional).

How do I dispose of paint stripper properly?

Check with your local authorities (town, county, state, and/or
regional).

How do I dispose of biodegradable diapers and beverage
cans/bottles properly?

Check with your local authorities (town, county, state, and/or
regional).  You may also need to check your city's waste
management program.

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