A Reuters investigation has uncovered concerning practices within the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal health agency established in 1980 to protect public health from environmental hazards. The probe reveals that the ATSDR, contrary to its mandate, frequently downplays health risks at contaminated sites across the United States.
The investigation analyzed 428 ATSDR reports issued between 2012 and 2023, containing 1,582 conclusions about potential hazards. Alarmingly, in 68% of its findings, the agency either declared communities safe or made no determination at all. This pattern has raised eyebrows among environmental experts and former officials.
The ATSDR's work has had significant implications for polluters and affected communities. Companies responsible for toxic messes have utilized the agency's reports to:
- Defend against lawsuits
- Deny compensation to victims
- Criticize opponents
- Argue for delayed, reduced, or cancelled cleanups
These actions have resulted in substantial financial benefits for polluters, including:
- Savings of at least tens of millions on cleanups
- Delays in billions of dollars of medical claims
- Potential exposure of millions to harmful substances
The investigation also highlighted serious concerns about the ATSDR's research methods. In at least 38% of cases, the agency relied on outdated or flawed data. Moreover, between 1996 and 2017, the ATSDR declared no health risks at least 20 times, only to be contradicted later by other government agencies or by the ATSDR itself.
"The record of finding little harm strains credulity."
Despite decades of criticism, including from its own review board in 2010, the ATSDR continues to employ practices deemed "virtually useless" and "not very good." The agency's tendency to publish inconclusive reports aligns with a long-standing corporate strategy of using scientific uncertainty to deflect regulation and liability.
The ATSDR maintains a crucial role in environmental health, producing toxicological profiles, conducting public health assessments, and offering emergency response support. However, this investigation raises serious questions about the agency's effectiveness in fulfilling its mission to protect public health from hazardous substances.
As the ATSDR approaches its 45th anniversary, the findings of this investigation underscore the urgent need for reform within the agency to ensure it serves its intended purpose of safeguarding communities from environmental hazards.