Introduction to Contaminated Site Management - Dealing with Contaminated Sites: From Theory Towards Practical Application - page 81

(ECETOC). 4 Some authoritative national institutions in the USA that relate to
contaminated site management are the US Environmental Protection Agency (US
EPA), 5 the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 6 and
The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). 7 In Europe, The Joint
Research Centre (JRC) 8 acts at the level of the European Union. Some important
authoritative national institutions are the National Institute of Public Health and the
Environment (RIVM) 9

in the Netherlands, The Environment Agency (EA) in the

4 ECETOC is a scientific, non-profit, non-commercial trade association with a mission to act as
an independent, credible, peer-reviewed technical resource to all concerned with the identifica-
tion of research needs and provision of scientific rationale for the assessment of health effects
and environmental impact, and thereby to justify the industry's license and freedom to operate
( www.ECETOC.org ).
5 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) leads the Unitd States' environmental sci-
ence, research, education and assessment efforts. The mission of the Environmental Protection
Agency is to protect human health and the environment. Since 1970, EPA has been working for a
cleaner, healthier environment for the American people. The EPA headquarters are in Washington,
DC, but there are many other locations, such as regional offices, regional visitor guides, laboratories
and research centres ( http://www.EPA.gov ).
6 The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is an agency of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. The mission is to serve the public by using the
best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing trusted health information to
prevent harmful exposures and disease related to toxic substances. ATSDR is directed by congres-
sional mandate to perform specific functions concerning the effect on public health of hazardous
substances in the environment. ( http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/about/index.html ).
7 The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) had its origins in the state of California,
USA, where it was incorporated in 1937. The original impetus behind the creation of a national
professional society for environmental health practitioners was the desire by professionals of
that day to establish a standard of excellence for this developing profession. NEHA's mission
is 'to advance the environmental health and protection professional for the purpose of providing
a healthful environment for all' is as relevant today as it was when the organisation was founded
( http://www.neha.org/about/neha.html ).
8 The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is a research based policy support organisation, and an inte-
gral part of the European Commission. The JRC is providing the scientific advice and technical
know-how to support a wide range of EU policies. Their status as a Commission service, which
guarantees their independence from private or national interests, is crucial for pursuing our mission.
This mission is 'to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception,
development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies'. As a service of the European
Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union.
Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while
being independent of special interests, whether private or national.
9 The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is a recognised leading
centre of expertise in the fields of health, nutrition and environmental protection. RIVM's mission
is to benefit people, society and the environment, matching thier expertise, knowledge and research
with that of colleagues from around the world. The institute works primarily for the Dutch gov-
ernment, but shares their knowledge with governments and supranational bodies around the world.
The results of RIVM's research, monitoring, modelling and Risk Assessment are used to underpin
policy on public health, food, safety and the environment ( http://www.rivm.nl ).