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.