§ 2475. Special policies with respect to dioxin exposure. 1. For the
purpose of identifying persons who were exposed to an herbicide
containing dioxin and for the purpose of compiling data on the health
effects of this exposure, the commissioner of health shall:

(a) establish, promote and maintain a public information program on
dioxin. Such program shall include, but may not be limited to, an effort
to contact Vietnam era veterans and employees of the public and private
sectors within the state who were exposed to an herbicide containing
dioxin;

(b) initiate an epidemiological study of the health effects of
exposure to herbicides containing dioxin;

(c) maintain a central data bank within the department for information
collected on the health effects of exposure to dioxin and for the
cataloguing of existing scientific and medical literature on the health
effects of this exposure; and

(d) initiate education for health professionals to assist them in
understanding the potential risks and state-of-the-art knowledge with
regard to detection, diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic
symptoms associated with dioxin exposure.

2. The commissioner may request and shall receive from any department,
division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any
political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as will enable
him to properly carry out his activities hereunder and effectuate the
purposes herein set forth. The commissioner may also enter into any
contract for services as he deems necessary with a private agency or
concern upon said terms and conditions as he deems appropriate.
Information concerning patient and medical data provided to the
commissioner pursuant to this subdivision shall be kept confidential
according to the provisions of paragraph (j) of subdivision one of
section two hundred six of this chapter.