By Congressional mandate, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) produces "toxicological profiles" for hazardous substances found at National Priorities List (NPL) sites. These hazardous substances are ranked based on frequency of occurrence at NPL sites, toxicity, and potential for human exposure. Toxicological profiles are developed from a priority list of 275 substances. ATSDR also prepares toxicological profiles for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE) on substances related to federal sites.

So far, 275 toxicological profiles have been published or are under development as "finals" or "drafts for public comment"; 260 profiles were published as finals; 111 profiles have been updated. Currently, 8 profiles are being revised based on public comments received and 1 profile is being developed as public comment draft. These profiles cover more than 250 substances.

Toxicological profiles are developed in two stages:

(1) DRAFTS: The toxicological profiles are first produced as drafts. ATSDR announces in the Federal Register the release of these draft profiles for a 90-day public comment period. Request draft toxicological profiles from ATSDR's Division of Toxicology.

(2) FINALS: After the 90-day comment period, ATSDR considers incorporating all comments into the documents. ATSDR finalizes the profiles and the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) distributes them.

ATSDR's toxicological mailing list

Congress requires ATSDR (1) to provide toxicological profiles to state health and environmental agencies and (2) to make them available to other interested parties. The Division of Toxicology (DT) has a mailing list, which is updated and verified yearly, of groups and individuals who get free copies of both draft and final profiles; these include health professionals at federal, state, and local levels; academicians; nonprofit/environmental groups; members of the public involved with Superfund sites; and parties with special needs (considered case-by-case).

If you don't qualify for free copies, you may request final profiles from NTIS for a fee.

NTIS distributes finalized toxicological profiles for a fee. For more information, contact
National Technical Information Service 
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, Virginia 22161
1-800-553 6847 or 703-605-6000
Web site: //www.ntis.gov

Additional Resources:

• ATSDR ToxProfiles 2004™ CD-ROM - The toxicological profiles are also available as a complete set on CD-ROM.
• Public Health Statements (PHS) - The PHS are a series of summaries about hazardous substances taken from Chapter One of their respective ATSDR Toxicological Profiles.
• ATSDR ToxFAQs™ - The ToxFAQs™ are a series of 2-page fact sheets about hazardous substances.
  

To request a copy of the ToxProfiles™ CD-ROM, PHS, or ToxFAQsTM call 404-498-0261 or email your request to atsdric@cdc.gov.

For more information on the above listed publications, write

Division of Toxicology, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333

For more information 24 hours/day

You may call the ATSDR toll free number at 1-888-42-ATSDR (1-888-422-8737) to get 24-hour recorded information about Division of Toxicology programs. This phone number includes options to be transferred to ATSDR personnel for technical assistance.

ATSDR Internet home page via World Wide Web: //www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Certisafety Section Home Page