COVER LETTER TO DR. JAMES STEPHENS

1

REVIEW OF ATSDR’S GREAT LAKES REPORT DRAFTS (LETTER REPORT)

7

 Organization of This Letter Report

7

 Background on ATSDR Drafts Evaluated

8

 Overarching Comments on the Draft Reports

9

 Purpose of the Report Drafts

11

 Scope of Project and Literature Review

12

 Appropriateness of Datasets, Scientific Quality of Data Analysis and Presentation, and Conclusions

13

 Contaminant Data

13

 Demographic Data

17

 Health Data

18

 Data Analysis

20

 Presentation of the Information

21

 Conclusions of Report Drafts

22

 Responsiveness to Reviewers’ Comments on 2004 Report Draft

24

 Validity of Directors’ Offices’ Concerns Regarding 2007 Report Draft

25

 Responsiveness to Reviewers’ Comments on 2007 Report Draft

26

 Scientific Soundness of 2008 Report Draft

26

 Suggested Improvements and Other Committee Concerns

27

 Conclusions

28

 References

30

APPENDIX A

MAPS OF GREAT LAKES AREAS OF CONCERN

33

APPENDIX B

LETTER FROM IJC

37

APPENDIX C

MATERIALS RECEIVED FROM ATSDR

39

APPENDIX D

ABBREVIATIONS

40

BOX 1

Statement of Task

7

BOX 2

Timeline of Events

10

BOX 3

Example of an Indirect Effect

12

BOX 4

Example of the Addition or Removal of Hazardous-Waste Sites Without Following the Criteria

13

BOX 5

Example of Conclusion That Was Not Justified by Report Contents

24

BOX 6

Example of Recommendation That Was Not Justified by Report Contents

24

FIGURE A-1

Great Lakes Areas of Concern

33

FIGURE A-2

Ashtabula River Area of Concern, Ohio

34

FIGURE A-3

Clinton River Area of Concern, Michigan

35