What to know
ATSDR uses the public health assessment (PHA) method to evaluate communities’ possible exposures to contaminants at hazardous waste sites. We developed the PHA training curriculum for environmental health assessors and other public health professionals involved in the PHA process. This navigation guide will help you select the best PHA training, guidance, and tools based on your specific training needs.
Introductory Training
Click on the "Introductory Training" section if you are new to the PHA process and are looking for information on the fundamentals of the PHA process, including its purpose and basic methods.
The Introductory Training section includes the following PHA courses, guidance, and tools:
- Online Public Health Assessment Training
- Public Health Assessment Webinars
- Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual
- Public Health Assessment Site Tool (PHAST)
Professional Competencies
To find more in-depth information on the PHA process, click on the "Professional Competencies" section. In this section, you will learn about the 10 essential PHA competencies that provide you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to conduct the different aspects of the PHA process. These competencies cover important areas such as screening contaminants, estimating and determining exposure, and engaging the community.
Each competency includes objectives, training courses and materials, guidance documents, and tools to help you understand the PHA concepts effectively.
Training and Education by Topic
Click on the "Training and Education by Topic" section for a list of ATSDR training and education resources on individual topics, such as:
- specific chemicals
- vapor intrusion
- calculating exposure point concentrations
- identifying pathways of exposure
- conducting toxicological evaluations
After selecting a topic, a list will appear with training modules, videos, guidance, and other resources on the topic.
Continuing Education
In the Continuing Education section, you will find accredited environmental health training. You can complete these courses and obtain various types of certificates and continuing education credits.
- Online Public Health Assessment Training (PHAT)
- PHAT consists of a series of online modules on the fundamentals of the PHA process. PHAT will help you increase your knowledge and competency in evaluating exposure to hazardous substances through environmental health practices.
- To begin, visit the PHAT landing page. From there, you can register on CDC TRAIN, complete the modules, and earn continuing education credits or a certificate of completion.
- Public Health Assessment Webinars
- The PHA Webinars are a series of videos that explain the fundamentals of the ATSDR PHA process. In these webinars, ATSDR's subject matter experts share their expertise and valuable insights gained from conducting PHAs at various ATSDR sites.
- Visit the PHA Webinars landing page to register on CDC TRAIN, where you can access the videos, complete the training, and earn continuing education credits or a certificate of completion.
- Environmental Health and Land Reuse (EHLR) Certificate Training Program
- The EHLR Certificate Training is an online program hosted by our partner, the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). If you are interested in this training, please visit www.neha.org/e-learning to enroll.
- You can also complete the EHLR Classroom Training, which consists of a series of print-only documents designed for live training. If you are interested in the classroom training, please email us at atsdr.landreuse@cdc.gov.
Important Resources for the Public Health Assessment Process
This section lists the following primary resources that you should use to conduct the PHA process.
- Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual
- Online Public Health Assessment Training
- Public Health Assessment System Tool (PHAST)
- SHOWER Model