US EPA

The U. S. EPA has conducted a peer review of the scientific basis supporting the health hazard and dose response assessment for Boron that will appear on the Agency's online data base, the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Peer Review is meant to ensure that science is used credibly and appropriately in derivation of these dose-response assessments. The primary function of the peer reviewer should be to judge whether the choice, use and interpretation of the data employed in the derivation of the assessment is appropriate and scientifically sound.

The IRIS Toxicological Review for Boron and IRIS Summary Sheets have previously gone through an internal and external review. However certain sections of the Toxicological Review have been revised since these peer reviews took place. Revisions were made to include new pharmacokinetic data received from U. S. Borax after the internal and external reviews took place. The revised sections of the Toxicological Review and RfD Summary sheet were changed to include new data and have now gone through an Internal EPA Review. Internal reviewer comments have been addressed and these sections now need External Peer Review. This review would include an analysis of Section 3.4, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.5 and Section 5.1.3. of the Toxicological Review and the RfD Summary Sheet which include use of new toxicokinetic data to derive a data derived uncertainty factor. This review is needed before the Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary sheets for Boron are forwarded to the EPA's Consensus Review Process for final approval and adoption by the EPA. These hazard and dose-response assessments will then appear on IRIS and become available as agency consensus health effect information.

EPA is hereby providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of [Boron]. These documents are provided for public viewing during an external scientific peer review period. While EPA is not soliciting public comments by this action, any scientific views received on the content of the Toxicological Review or IRIS Summary prior to [April 5, 2001] will be considered in subsequent drafts. Please direct any correspondence to: [Carolyn Smallwood c/o US EPA/NCEA (MS 117) 26 W Martin Luther King Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 smallwood.carolyn@epa.gov]

Please also send a recordkeeping copy to:
IRIS Submission Desk
c/o Courtney R. Johnson
US EPA / NCEA [8601D]
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
or email to IRIS.desk@epa.gov