Since 2008, radiation surveillance has been an important mission of the National Poison Data System (NPDS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NPDS is owned and operated by America’s Poison Centers (APC), a non-profit organization. The 55-member poison centers of APC serve all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and 3 pacific jurisdictions. The public and health care professionals call the 365/24 Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) every day to request assistance with radiation and other poison emergencies. The centers upload case data approximately every 10 minutes to NPDS. This allows for near real-time national public health surveillance. The APC’s national surveillance team works closely with CDC to analyze radiation anomalies. This is a unique public health alliance.
