The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses the National Poison Data System (NPDS) to conduct surveillance of calls to United States poison centers (PCs) to identify clusters of reports of hazardous exposures and illnesses. NPDS stores basic information from PC calls including call type (information request only or call reporting a possible chemical exposure), exposure agent, demographics, clinical, and other variables.

Synthetic cannabinoids include various psychoactive chemicals that are sprayed onto plant material, which is then smoked or ingested to achieve a “high.” These products are sold under a variety of names (e.g., synthetic marijuana, spice, K2, black mamba, and crazy clown) and are sold in retail outlets as herbal products and are often labeled not for human consumption. Law enforcement agencies regulate many of these substances; however, manufacturers may frequently change the formulation and mask their intended purpose to avoid detection and regulation.

For radiological incidents, collecting surveillance data can identify radiation-related public health significant incidents quickly and enable public health officials to describe the characteristics of the affected population and the magnitude of the health impact which in turn can inform public health decision-making.