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Megan D. Meldrum, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health, New York State Department of Health, 547 River Street, Flanigan Square, Room 200, Troy, NY 12180-2216, 518-402-7950, mdm06@health.state.ny.us
Very little knowledge exists about health risks associated with low-level community exposures to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) because there is usually a lack of accurate exposure information and no long-term follow-up of affected persons. To help address these problems, the New York State Department of Health established the New York State VOC Exposure Registry in 1999. The purpose of the VOC Registry is to collect health surveillance information on populations exposed to various types of VOCs, including perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), trichloroethane (TCA), and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE); maintain contact with exposed populations to obtain periodic health updates; act as a resource for future studies; and communicate new information to participants.
Individuals and communities are selected for inclusion in the Registry if exposures from the contamination of private wells, public water supplies, or indoor air have been verified by sampling results. Residents who wish to participate complete a questionnaire that asks about possible exposures, past and current health status of each household member, and other factors related to health such as smoking. The types of health problems reported will be compared with national data to see if the community is experiencing unusually high rates or unusual patterns of disease. Information gathered from communities with similar types of potential exposures can be combined, thus improving the quality of research that can result. Information regarding the registry's current status, participant exposures and demographics will be provided.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.