A Fresh Look

The Fresh Look

ATSDR is taking a fresh look at available information on public health threats, including its own work to date and also data that have been published by several sources since the agency’s public health assessments were released in 2003. This multi-part process is designed to ensure that all information that could have a bearing on public health has been thoroughly and rigorously evaluated. 

ATSDR’s fresh look includes identifying gaps in knowledge about possible exposures and health concerns for the people of Vieques and ways to address those gaps. ATSDR’s plan will keep all interested stakeholders apprised of our planned activities and how they are progressing.

The Team

As is our practice, ATSDR is taking a multi-disciplinary approach to this fresh look.  Our team includes epidemiologists, toxicologists, environmental and chemical engineers, a meteorologist, and health education and communication specialists.  In August 2009, the then NCEH/ATSDR Director Dr. Howard Frumkin and several team members visited the Vieques Bombing Range Site where they met with many agencies and citizen groups. 

The Process

As with every site at which ATSDR works, we believe the people of Vieques deserve our best effort. To begin the process, ATSDR looked at the scientific literature to identify studies that had been done both before and since its public health assessments were published.  ATSDR scientists reviewed these documents and also discussed them with other experts. 

The fresh look has several steps:

• a face-to-face scientific consultation with independent scientists which occurred in November 2009,
• a summary report of the environmental health work done for Vieques including recommendations developed from the scientific consultation,
• peer review of the summary report, and
• recommendations and priorities for future activities. 

Peer review comments on the draft summary report were received in mid-August 2010. ATSDR scientists are currently responding to peer review comments and conducting additional evaluations. The report will be modified based on the peer reviewers’ comments. When the changes are completed and the document has been internally cleared, it will then be released for public comment.

ATSDR hopes to complete these steps in 2010 or early 2011.