Why was the survey of specific childhood cancers and birth defects done? What is its purpose?
Environmental data from U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were reviewed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as the Superfund Law. ATSDR conducted a public health assessment (PHA) at Camp Lejeune in 1997. In that study, ATSDR found a possible problem with the levels of chemicals that had been found in drinking water at Camp Lejeune prior to 1985. Research indicates that these chemicals, called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), may cause adverse health effects in persons exposed while in utero (in the womb). Therefore, ATSDR conducted a survey to identify potential cases of birth defects and childhood cancers. To conduct the survey, ATSDR located and interviewed women who were pregnant while living in on-base housing at Camp Lejeune any time from 1968 to 1985. The ATSDR survey was a required first step in a multi-step process to study the potential effects o
Related Questions
- What progress has ATSDR made on its study of contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune and specific birth defects and childhood cancers?
- Why does the study of specific birth defects and childhood cancers focus only on a few birth defects rather than all birth defects?
- Why does the ATSDR study on specific birth defects and childhood cancers examine only the period from 1968 to 1985?
