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Environmental & Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology Unit. Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries Section Prevention and Preparedness Division John F. Villanacci, Ph.D., NREMTI, Director.
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Environmental & Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology Unit Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries Section Prevention and Preparedness Division John F. Villanacci, Ph.D., NREMTI, Director
The Unit uses the principles of epidemiology, toxicology, and surveillance to identify populations at risk, to develop evidence-based actions to protect and promote the health of the people of Texas. Environmental & Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology Unit Mission Statement:
The Unit Prevention and Preparedness Services Division Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registry Section Environmental & Injury Epidemiology and Toxicology Unit Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch Cancer Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch
The Unit PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS SERVICES DIVISION ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY & DISEASE REGISTRIES SECTION ADMINISTRATION ENMVIRONMENTAL AND INJURY EPIDEMIOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY UNIT EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT, INJURY & EMS/TRAUMA REGISTRY GROUP EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDIES & INITIATIVESBRANCH BLOOD LEAD SURVEILLANCE & TOXICOLOGY GROUP SURVEILLANCE GROUP PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION DATA QUALITY AND ASSURANCE HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND CONSULTATION INJURY EPIDEMIOLOGY ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY TOXICOLOGY TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE (TEHI) EPIDEMIOLOGY OUTREACH COORDINATION OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE CASE COORDINATION TEXAS POISON CENTER NETWORK REGISTRY OPERATIONS (TPCN) FLUORIDATION
Programs and Activities • Environmental & Occupational Epidemiology • Injury Surveillance – Texas EMS Trauma Registry • Silicosis and Asbestosis Surveillance • Texas Child Lead Poisoning Prevention (CLPPP) • Child Blood Lead Registry • Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology & Surveillance (ABLES) • Health Assessment and Toxicology (HAT) • Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN) • Pesticide Exposure Surveillance in Texas (PEST) • Texas Environmental Health Institute (TEHI) • Texas Fluoridation Project
Exposure Assessment and Surveillance Group ( • Health Assessment and Toxicology (HAT) • Works with Federal and State Partners, communities, and others to determine the potential public health impacts of hazardous waste sites and chemical spills • Evaluates environmental information for potential public health impact • Recommends actions needed to stop or reduce human exposure to hazardous chemicals • Conducts exposure investigations • Occupational Disease Surveillance • Collects informaiton and conducts investigates on acute occupational pesticide poisonings • Conducts surveillance for selected diseases and occupational conditions • Provides educational information to reduce exposures
Exposure Assessment and Surveillance Group ( • Staffing • Toxicologists • Medical Toxicologist • Epidemiologists • Environmental Specialists • Community Liaison • Health Educator
Cross Agency Coordination ( • Toxic Substances Coordinating Committee • Texas Department of State Health Services • Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • Texas Railroad Commission • Texas Department of Agriculture • Texas Parks and Wildlife
Cross Agency Cooperation • Texas Environmental Health Institute • Established as a joint venture between DSHS and TCEQ to examine ways to identify, treat, manage, prevent, and reduce health problems associated with environmental contamination. • Funds research projects to identify health conditions, related or potentially related to environmental contamination • Works through HAT staff to prevent or reduce health risks from exposure to chemical and biological contaminants, radioactive materials, and other hazards in the environment and the workplace • Works through HAT staff to inform and educate citizens about identified health risks and ways to prevent or reduce exposure
Recent DISH Exposure Investigation • Contacted by Mayor Tillman • Requested community testing • Contacted TCEQ and TRC • TCEQ sent their evaluation of the Wolf Eagle Environmental data • Determined that if the levels were representative of actual exposures an investigation was warranted
Recent DISH Exposure Investigation • Identified funds for the investigation • Obtained approval from Institutional Review Board (IRB) to obtain biological samples • Coordinated with CDC/NCEH laboratory to conduct sample analysis • Randomly selected 65 homes and requested participation
Recent DISH Exposure Investigation • Collected biological and environmental samples from 28 people and residences January 22-24 • Samples sent to CDC laboratory • Awaiting results
Recent DISH Exposure Investigation • Next Steps • Notify participants of their individual results • Prepare a report of findings • Present the report to the community • Provide the report to our sister Agencies
Contact Information • Environmental and Injury • Epidemiology & Toxicology Unit • Health Assessment and Toxicology • We can be reached at: • epitox@dshs.state.tx.us • 1.800.588.1248 • http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/epitox