(415 ILCS 75/1)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 981)

Sec. 1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Environmental Toxicology Act".

(Source: P.A. 84‑987.)

(415 ILCS 75/2)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 982)

Sec. 2.

The Illinois Department of Public Health shall establish a program to investigate threats or potential threats to the public health related to environmental exposure to hazardous substances, and to assess and study the human health effects associated with such exposure.

(Source: P.A. 84‑987.)

(415 ILCS 75/3)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 983)

Sec. 3.

Definitions.

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires;

(a) "Department" means the Illinois Department of Public Health;

(b) "Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health;

(c) "Program" means the Environmental Toxicology program as established by this Act;

(d) "Exposure" means contact with a hazardous substance;

(e) "Hazardous Substance" means chemical compounds, elements, or combinations of chemicals which, because of quantity concentration, physical characteristics or toxicological characteristics may pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health and includes, but is not limited to, any substance defined as a hazardous substance in Section 3.215 of the "Environmental Protection Act", approved June 29, 1970, as amended;

(f) "Initial Assessment" means a review and evaluation of site history and hazardous substances involved, potential for population exposure, the nature of any health related complaints and any known patterns in disease occurrence;

(g) "Comprehensive Health Study" means a detailed analysis which may include: a review of available environmental, morbidity and mortality data; environmental and biological sampling; detailed review of scientific literature; exposure analysis; population surveys; or any other scientific or epidemiologic methods deemed necessary to adequately evaluate the health status of the population at risk and any potential relationship to environmental factors;

(h) "Superfund Site" means any hazardous waste site designated for cleanup on the National Priorities List as mandated by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (P.L. 96‑510), as amended;

(i) "State Remedial Action Priority List" means a list compiled by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency which identifies sites that appear to present significant risk to the public health, welfare or environment.

(Source: P.A. 92‑574, eff. 6‑26‑02.)

(415 ILCS 75/4)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 984)

Sec. 4.

The Department, under the Environmental Toxicology Program, shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) to respond to citizen inquiries and investigate complaints regarding public health concerns which may be related to environmental hazards;

(b) to provide an initial assessment of potential adverse health effects in a community to determine whether a comprehensive health study is warranted in cases where exposure to hazardous substances has occurred;

(c) to conduct a comprehensive health study, if warranted, in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to assess the full relationship, if any, between observed health problems and possible exposure to hazardous substances in a given community;

(d) to make recommendations for long‑term follow‑up studies when appropriate;

(e) to provide prompt referrals to appropriate agencies for remedial actions;

(f) to recommend legislation or regulation, in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to the General Assembly or the Pollution Control Board.

(Source: P.A. 84‑987.)

(415 ILCS 75/5)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 985)

Sec. 5.

(a) Upon request by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Department shall conduct an initial assessment for any location designated as a Superfund Site or on the State Remedial Action Priority List. Such assessment shall be initiated within 60 days of the request.

(b) For sites designated as Superfund Sites or sites on the State Remedial Action Priority List on the effective date of this Act, the Department and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall jointly determine which sites warrant initial assessment. If warranted, initial assessment shall be initiated by January 1, 1986.

(c) If, as a result of the initial assessment, the Department determines that a public health problem related to exposure to hazardous substances may exist in a community located near a designated site, the Department shall conduct a comprehensive health study to assess the full relationship, if any, between such threat or potential threat and possible exposure to hazardous substances at the designated site.

(Source: P.A. 84‑987.)

(415 ILCS 75/6)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 986)

Sec. 6.

At the request of a unit of local government to which a siting approval application for a new pollution control facility for the storage, treatment or disposal of hazardous waste has been made, pursuant to Section 39.2 of the Environmental Protection Act, the Department shall evaluate the public health implications of such proposed facility.

Such request shall be made to the Department within 14 days of the filing of the application. The Department shall transmit its evaluation to the unit of local government within 75 days of the request. Such evaluation shall be made available for public inspection and shall be made part of the hearing record. If the Department fails to transmit the evaluation prior to the last required public hearing the unit of local government may consider that evaluation in making its determination only upon its finding that the delay has not resulted in material prejudice to the applicant or the public.

(Source: P.A. 91‑357, eff. 7‑29‑99.)

(415 ILCS 75/7)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 987)

Sec. 7.

The Department may enter into contracts or agreements with individuals, corporations, hospitals, universities, not‑for‑profit corporations, governmental entities or other organizations whereby such individuals, organizations or agencies agree to provide assistance to the Department in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 84‑987.)

(415 ILCS 75/8)

(from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 988)

Sec. 8.

This Act shall not apply to employee complaints lodged against their employer, which fall under the provisions of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Source: P.A. 84‑987.)