The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released for public review and comment a draft prevalence study of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Sugar Creek and Independence, Mo. This study was conducted in response to concerns about a perceived increase of MS in the community adjacent to a former petroleum refinery in Sugar Creek, Mo.

The goal of this study was to identify cases of MS present in the populations of Sugar Creek and Independence, Mo., during the calendar years 1998 to 2001 inclusive. The study determined that there was no statistically significant increase in the number of residents with MS in Sugar Creek compared to Independence, Mo. Similar studies were conducted in Lorain County, Ohio, and Lubbock, Texas.

ATSDR will be conducting a follow-up study to better understand risk factors associated with multiple sclerosis. The study will be conducted in Sugar Creek and Independence, Mo., as well as in Lorain County, Ohio, and Lubbock, Texas. Questionnaires and biological samples will be used to try to determine differences between people with MS and those who do not have MS.

The draft prevalence study is available for review and comment through Jan. 30, 2004, in the Sugar Creek Library and also at the Sugar Creek City Hall, 103 S. Sterling St., Sugar Creek, Mo. 64054, 816-252-4400.

Comments on the draft prevalence study must be made in writing. Mail comments to

John Neuberger, DrPH
Preventive Medicine and Public Health
The University of Kansas School of Medicine
Mail Stop 1008
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160

Comments received during the public comment period will be logged in to the ATSDR administrative record for this prevalence study. Comments received, without the names of individuals who submitted them, and ATSDR responses to the comments will appear in an appendix to the final version of the study. Names of those who submit comments, however, will be subject to release for requests made under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act.

For more information, community members can contact Senior Regional Representative Denise Jordan-Izaguirre at 913-551-1310. Callers should refer to the Amoco site in Sugar Creek, Mo.

ATSDR, a federal public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, evaluates the human health effects of exposure to hazardous substances. Established by Congress in 1980 under the Superfund law, ATSDR conducts public health assessments at each of the sites on the EPA National Priorities List, as well as other sites when petitioned. Headquartered in Atlanta, ATSDR is staffed by more than 400 health professionals including epidemiologists, physicians, toxicologists, engineers and public health educators.