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IRIS Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) (External Review Draft)
Federal Register Notices
Contacts
- Jamie B. Strong
- by phone at: 703-347-8638
- by email at: strong.jamie@epa.gov
- by email at: strong.jamie@epa.gov
Notice
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the August 20, 2007 Federal Register Notice. This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period (next 60 days) will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration. Any comments not received within the requested time period will be considered by EPA in their revisions.
THF is used as a solvent for polyvinyl chlorides, vinylidene chloride polymers, natural and synthetic resins (particularly vinyls), in topcoating solutions, polymer coatings, cellaphane, protective coatins, adhesives, magnetic strips and printing inks. It is also used for Grignard and metal hydride reactions. THF is used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis. For example, it is used in the preparation of chemicals including adipic acid, butadiene, acrylic acid, butylrolactone, succinic acid, 1,4-butanediol diacetate, motor fuels, vitamins, hormones, pharmaceuticals, synthetic perfumes, organometallic compounds, and insecticides. It is also used in the manufacture of polytetramethylene ether glycol, polyurethane elastomers, and elastic polymers. THF can be used in the fabrication of materials for food packaging, transport, and storage. This is EPA's first assessment of noncancer health effects and carcinogenic potential of tetrahydrofuran. The IRIS program is preparing an assessment that will incorporate updated health effects information available for tetrahydrofuran and current risk assessment methods. The IRIS assessment of tetrahydrofuran will consist of a Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary. The Toxicological Review is a critical review of the physiochemical and toxicokinetic properties of chemical, and its toxicity in humans and experimental systems. The assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of tetrahydrofuran (RfD and RfC), and a cancer assessment. The Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary will undergo Agency review, Interagency review, and external scientific peer review. The final product will reflect the Agency opinion on the overall toxicity of tetrahydrofuran.Background
The draft Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to tetrahydrofuran. THF is used as a solvent for polyvinyl chlorides, vinylidene chloride polymers, natural and synthetic resins (particularly vinyls), in topcoating solutions, polymer coatings, cellophane, protective coatings, adhesives, magnetic strips and printing inks. THF is primarily used in solvent cementing of PVC piping and fittings in the construction industry. THF is also used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis.
This assessment contains the derivation of a chronic oral reference dose and inhalation reference concentration. EPA is also putting forth for external review the statement that the data provide suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential to humans by all routes of exposure under the Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (U.S. EPA, 2005) along with a quantitative cancer assessment.
This assessment contains the derivation of a chronic oral reference dose and inhalation reference concentration. EPA is also putting forth for external review the statement that the data provide suggestive evidence of carcinogenic potential to humans by all routes of exposure under the Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (U.S. EPA, 2005) along with a quantitative cancer assessment.
History/Chronology
| Aug 2007 | EPA releases the first External Review Draft for public review and comment. |
Next Steps
Following External Peer Review, the final assessment is scheduled to be posted to the IRIS database in 2008.
Downloads/Related Links
- Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran (External Review Draft) (PDF) (159 pp, 1 MB, about PDF)
- Draft Charge to External Reviewers for the Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) (PDF) (4 pp, 24 KB, about PDF)
- Consolidated Comments from the External Peer Review (Final) (PDF) (58 pp, 323 KB, about PDF)
Additional Information
Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov website. From the site, select Environmental Protection Agency and the key word EPA- HQ-ORD-2007-0599 (for the docket ID).
Citation
U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) (External Review Draft). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
