Environmental Health: The EIS expands work in the realm of environmental health, investigating a major heat wave sweeping the Midwest. High-risk groups, such as the elderly, chronically ill, infants, and urban dwellers, are identified. Surveillance provides evidence for preventive measures and policy changes, including providing transportation to air-conditioned shelters.

Toxic Shock Syndrome: EIS investigations quickly find an association between toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and menstruating women. In less than a year, tampons are revealed as a major cause, leading to one brand's removal from the market.

HIV/AIDS: An EIS officer and a Los Angeles physician publish an MMWR article describing the occurrence of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia among homosexual males. This was the first major article on what later became the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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Food Poisoning: The EIS investigates outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning in a small Oregon town caused by intentional contamination of restaurant salad bars by members of a religious commune, the first and only known bioterrorist event in the United States. Two commune members served time in prison for their role in the event.

HIV Seroprevalence Surveys: All EIS officers assist state and local health departments in conducting HIV seroprevalence surveys. This comprehensive surveillance approach helps public health organizations monitor the levels of HIV infection in high-risk populations and prioritize, target, and evaluate HIV prevention activities.

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Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome: CDC contacts state health departments to inform them of a newly recognized syndrome, Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). EMS, initially found in New Mexico, was found to be related to use of L-tryptophan (LT), a common dietary supplement used for insomnia, depression, and PMS. EMS spurs one of the first nationwide non-infectious epidemic surveillance projects.

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