The ATSDR Community Health Projects (CHP) Related to Contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites purpose is to increase responsive public health actions by promoting healthy and safe environments and preventing harmful exposures related to contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse Sites.
Brownfields
are defined by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant".
Land reuse site is any property that is being redeveloped for a different purpose from their former use.
EPA estimates that there are over 450,000 Brownfield sites in the United States.
Addressing public health concerns and issues associated with restoration of contaminated properties is essential.
ATSDR’s mission is to serve the public through responsive public health actions to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures.
Sites such as Brownfield/Land Reuse sites may have potentially harmful exposures from contamination from previous site uses.
Community health projects that address impacts of contamination at Brownfield/Land Reuse sites further ATSDR’s public health mission to promote healthy and safe environments and prevent harmful exposures.
These projects will have a particular emphasis on identifying health issues prior to redevelopment and/or assessing changes in community health associated with reuse plans and redevelopment.