The Who, What, Why, and How of ATSDR’s Petition Process
![atsdr-petition-process-infographic-header Person holding glasses wearing blue shirt speaking to three other people listening attentively.](/2021-annual-report/images/atsdr-petition-process-infographic-header.png?_=03199)
Petitions connect communities to ATSDR resources – such as ATSDR environmental scientists, physicians, toxicologists, and other specialists – to assess and to help residents understand environmental exposures in the community that might harm their health. When communities are concerned about potential exposure to chemicals, ATSDR can bring tools and expertise to investigate.
![A person wearing a blue shirt is signing a piece of paper using a silver pen.](/2021-annual-report/images/what-is-a-petition-01-medium.png?_=02972)
A petition is a request, written as a letter or email, that asks ATSDR to investigate specific environmental health concerns in a community.
![A person sitting and looking at her their laptop screen with an orange sweater.](/2021-annual-report/images/what-is-a-petition-02-medium.png?_=02976)
A list of signatures of concerned community members is not the same thing as an ATSDR petition.
![A person standing and presenting to five people around a table.](/2021-annual-report/images/what-is-a-petition-03-medium.png?_=02980)
Any person or community group can file a petition.
- Assess whether your community is being exposed to hazardous substances in the environment
- Determine if these chemicals can enter your body and possibly harm your health
- Educate your community about hazardous substances and how to avoid exposure to them
- Determine how people in your community are being exposed to these substances
- Write a report and recommend actions you can take to reduce your exposure and protect your health
- Collaborate with local and state health departments to help address your community’s concerns about possible environmental exposures
- Change how a facility operates
- Tell you why there is a lot of illness in your community
- Clean up chemicals in your community
- Change zoning codes
- Make medical diagnoses
- Resolve issues between organizations and people
![A hand typing on a laptop](/2021-annual-report/images/how-to-file-a-petition_01-medium.png?_=02983)
Submit a letter or email to your ATSDR regional office requesting that ATSDR investigate specific environmental health concerns in your community.
![Two hands drawing on paper next to another person’s hand](/2021-annual-report/images/how-to-file-a-petition_02-medium.png?_=02987)
Be sure to share any relevant environmental data or evidence you have that might help ATSDR in evaluating your request.
![Someone raising their hand in a classroom with a red sweater on](/2021-annual-report/images/petition-request-01-small.png?_=02460)
Listen to community members to understand their concerns
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Search for formal complaints with the city or local health organizations
![One hand typing on a laptop with paper to the left](/2021-annual-report/images/petition-request-03-small.png?_=02466)
Review previous reports, health assessments, or related research on the problem
![Two seated people focusing while another person sits in the background](/2021-annual-report/images/petition-request-04-small.png?_=02469)
Engage and involve the community, as needed, throughout the petition process
![Two hands typing on a laptop with graphs](/2021-annual-report/images/petition-request-05-small.png?_=02471)
Evaluate available information and environmental data to determine if there is enough information to initiate a detailed evaluation of your concern
![Three pieces of paper over three arrows pointing down to a box.](/2021-annual-report/images/icons/atsdr-annual-report_icons_data-collection.png?_=98885)
Wait for ATSDR to gather any needed environmental data to evaluate your request.
![An open envelope holding paper with a circled checkmark.](/2021-annual-report/images/icons/atsdr-annual-report_icons_approval.png?_=98880)
Receive an approval or denial of your petition, usually within 6–12 months.
Interested in learning more about ATSDR’s petition process?
Visit https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/faq.html or call toll free 1-800-232-4636; TTY: (888) 232-6348 and ask to be connected to your ATSDR regional office