title: Superfund research program--accomplishments and future opportunities.
abstract: This special issue of the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health provides extensive background on the Superfund programs, findings of specific research studies and future directions. Three federal agencies are leading the effort in this program. They are the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. As a result of their collaboration, a comprehensive program has been developed that ranges from basic to applied research with the aim of improving public health services and protection. This paper highlights the research within areas of toxicological investigation, exposure assessment, risk evaluation and engaging communities. Each of the agencies has developed strategies and initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of the Superfund research program. The continuation of research will contribute significantly towards achieving the Healthy People 2010 goals that have been set for the United States.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Ewing Hall-700 Harborside Drive, Galveston, TX 77555-1110, USA. william.au@utmb.edu
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Falk
mesh_terms: D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004782:Environmental Health; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006801:Humans; D012106:Research / Q000639:trends; D012109:Research Support as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014116:Toxicology; D014481:United States; D014484:United States Environmental Protection Agency
chemical_list: D006256:Hazardous Waste