ATSDR MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT

ATSDR Releases ATSDR ToxProfiles 2004,™ ToxFAQs™ CD-ROM

For Immediate Release: October 22, 2004

ATLANTA - The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released the ATSDR ToxProfiles 2004™ and accompanying ToxFAQs™ CD-ROM, featuring updated toxicologic and epidemiologic information, interaction between chemical mixtures and chemical-specific fact sheets.

The toxicological profile information on the CD-ROM characterizes the toxicologic and adverse health effects from exposure to specific hazardous substances. Each profile is peer-reviewed and includes an easy-to-read section on public health information in non-technical language.

The interaction profiles evaluate data on the toxicology of the "whole" priority mixture (if available) and on the joint toxic action of the chemicals in the mixture in order to recommend approaches for the exposure-based assessment of the potential hazard to public health.

The ToxFAQs™ are a series of summaries about hazardous substances. Each chemical-specific fact sheet serves as a quick and easy-to-understand guide. Answers are provided to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about exposure to hazardous substances around hazardous waste sites and the effects of exposure on human health.

The CD-ROM contains:

— 162 toxicological profiles - 8 new drafts for public comment and 6 new finals
— 9 interaction profiles
— Guidance Manual for the Assessment of Joint Toxic Action of Chemical Mixtures
— 180 ToxFAQs™ in English and Spanish
— New search features (searching by CAS number, synonym, target organ, cancer classification, and chemical classification)

Users can quickly hyperlink to important topics within the CD-ROM by using the new search engine features.

To order a free copy of the CD-ROM, contact the ATSDR Information Center toll-free at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) or e-mail requests to atsdric@cdc.gov. All the information on the CD-ROM is also available on the ATSDR Web site at www.atsdr.cdc.gov

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances.

Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.

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Members of the news media can request an interview with ATSDR staff by calling the ATSDR Office of Communication at 404-498-0070.