External Peer Reviews

From December 2009 through October 2010, the Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) performed external peer reviews of NCEH/ATSDR programs. External peer reviews are independent assessments of intramural and extramural research and scientific programs by experts external to CDC/ATSDR.

BSC reviews addressed the following areas of NCEH/ATSDR programs and research activities:

• Quality of science
• Accomplishments
• Public health impact
• Direction

The BSC performed the following reviews:

• Division of Emergency and Environmental Health Services
• Division of Laboratory Sciences
• Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects

Before December 2009, peer review panels performed the external reviews of NCEH/ATSDR programs and activities. These panels consisted of one to two BSC members and other experts in environmental public health external to CDC.

Peer review panels performed the following reviews:

• National Exposure Registry
• Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance
• Environmental Health Services Branch
• Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch
• Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine
• Preparedness and Emergency Response
• NCEH/ATSDR Clearance and Peer Review
• Site Specific Activities