National Toxic Substance Incidents Program

National Toxic Substance Incidents Program
Name	National Toxic Substance Incidents Program
Founded	0 2010
Predecessor	Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES)
Jurisdiction	United States
Parent agency	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Website	https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ntsip/

National Toxic Substance Incidents Program. It was a federal public health surveillance system active from 2010 to 2014, managed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program systematically collected and analyzed data on acute releases of hazardous substances to support emergency preparedness and prevent injuries. It succeeded the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system, expanding its focus to include more detailed information on the public health consequences of chemical incidents.

Background and establishment

The program was established in 2010, building upon the foundation of the earlier Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system which operated from 1990 to 2009. This initiative was a direct response to the recognized need for improved national tracking of acute chemical releases following significant events like the Graniteville, South Carolina chlorine spill and the 2005 Texas City Refinery explosion. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was mandated by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to lead this public health surveillance effort. Its creation aligned with broader federal strategies for enhancing homeland security and environmental health preparedness in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

Program objectives and scope

Primary objectives included identifying patterns and root causes of toxic substance incidents to inform prevention strategies. The program aimed to characterize the public health impacts, including morbidity and mortality, associated with these acute events. Its scope encompassed uncontrolled or illegal releases that required removal, cleanup, or neutralization according to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Incidents tracked ranged from large-scale industrial accidents at facilities like oil refineries and chemical plants to transportation-related spills involving railroads or highways. The surveillance specifically excluded chronic, low-level emissions and releases occurring in occupational settings already covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Data collection and incident reporting

Data collection relied on a multistate partnership where participating state health departments identified reportable incidents through systematic review of sources like National Response Center notifications and media reports. Trained staff used a standardized questionnaire to collect detailed information on the location, substance, industry, and contributing factors such as equipment failure or human error. Information was entered into a centralized web-based system maintained by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Key data points included the Chemical Abstracts Service number of the released material, the role of fixed facilities versus transportation, and the involvement of first responders from organizations like the Fire department or Hazmat teams.

Public health surveillance and response

The program functioned as a near real-time surveillance system to detect emerging threats and guide public health action. Epidemiologists analyzed data to quickly identify clusters of similar incidents, such as repeated releases of ammonia at food processing facilities or chlorine from water treatment plants. Findings were disseminated through health alerts and reports to partner agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Coast Guard. This information supported the development of targeted guidance for emergency medical services and recommendations for safer chemical storage and handling practices to protect vulnerable populations near high-risk sites.

Key findings and notable incidents

Analyses revealed that the most frequently released substances were ammonia, chlorine, and volatile organic compounds, with the majority of incidents occurring at fixed facilities. A significant finding was that equipment failure and human error were leading contributing causes across all sectors. The program documented and analyzed notable events such as the 2012 Chevron Richmond Refinery fire in California and multiple hydraulic fracturing-related releases in states like Pennsylvania and Colorado. Data consistently showed that first responders and employees were the groups most frequently injured, often suffering from respiratory distress or chemical burns.

Collaboration and partnerships

Implementation depended on collaborative agreements with state health departments in regions with significant industrial activity, including Louisiana, Texas, and New York. The program worked closely with other federal agencies, notably sharing data with the Environmental Protection Agency's Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and the Department of Transportation. Partnerships with academic institutions, such as the University of Michigan and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, supported advanced data analysis and research publications. These collaborations were essential for translating surveillance findings into actionable prevention guidelines and training materials for local emergency planning committees nationwide.

Category:United States public health