Recent Additions for 2013

EPA is announcing the availability of the first external review draft of the Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria for public comment and independent peer review. This draft document provides EPA's evaluation and synthesis of the most policy-relevant science related to the health effects of oxides of nitrogen. When finalized, it will provide a critical part of the scientific foundation for EPA's decision regarding the adequacy of the current primary (health-based) national ambient air quality standards for nitrogen dioxide. [Federal Register Notice Nov 22, 2013]

EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Improving the Risk Assessment of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Chemicals in Breast Milk: Workshop Summary Report . This report provides a summary of discussions held at an EPA-sponsored workshop in Research Triangle Park, NC in October, 2012. Highlights of the report include suggestions to improve PBT chemical risk assessment to better protect children's health through addressing a variety of issues. The report also emphasizes the importance of preserving the message that breastfeeding remains the healthiest option for infants despite the presence of environmental chemicals in breast milk.

At the request of the American Chemistry Council, EPA has extended the public comment period 60 more days on review of the draft document, Next Generation Risk Assessment: Incorporation of Recent Advances in Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology. The new deadline for comments is January 13, 2014. [Federal Register Notice Nov 13, 2013]

EPA has announced the availability of a new online toolbox for exposure and risk assessors. EPA-Expo-box is a web-based compendium of 800+ exposure assessment tools that provides links to exposure assessment databases, models, and references - all in a user friendly format organized by the components of the exposure assessment process. It provides one-stop shopping for the latest exposure assessment tools and techniques that can be used by EPA and others to support scientifically defensible exposure and risk assessments.

EPA receives the National Research Council (NRC) Interim Report that describes recommendations to the IRIS Program for developing an updated assessment of inorganic arsenic. [NRC Press Release Nov 7, 2013]

EPA announces the release of the draft report, Best Practices for Continuous Monitoring of Temperature and Flow in Wadeable Streams (External Review Draft) for a 30-day public review and comment period. This report is a technical "best practices" document describing sensor deployment for and data collection of continuous temperature and flow at ungaged sites in wadeable streams. [Federal Register Notice Oct 31, 2013]

EPA is planning a public workshop to discuss several scientific issues related to its draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of formaldehyde (inhalation exposure). EPA is seeking suggestions from the public on topics and speakers/panelists related to three themes: (1) Epidemiological research examining the potential association between formaldehyde exposure and lymphohematopoietic cancers (leukemia and lymphomas); (2) Mechanistic evidence relevant to formaldehyde inhalation exposure and these types of cancers; and (3) Evidence pertaining to the influence of formaldehyde that is produced endogenously (by the body during normal biological processes) on the toxicity of inhaled formaldehyde, and implications for the health assessment. The deadline for submissions is November 22nd.

EPA announces an extension of the public comment period for the draft document, IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Public Comment Draft), originally announced in an August 21, 2013 Federal Register Notice. The deadline for submitting comments is November 21, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Oct 24, 2013]

EPA is announcing the release of the final IRIS Summary for Methanol and a new accompanying Toxicological Review for Methanol (noncancer) that have been added to the IRIS website. The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Methanol (Noncancer) IRIS assessment has also been released.

EPA is releasing the final report, Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Applied to Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Flame-Retardant Coatings in Upholstery Textiles: A Case Study Presenting Priority Research Gaps for Future Risk Assessments. This final report presents a case study of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs); it focuses on the specific example of MWCNTs as used in flame-retardant coatings applied to upholstery textiles. This case study is organized around the comprehensive environmental assessment (CEA) framework, which structures available information pertaining to the product life cycle, environmental transport and fate, exposure-dose in receptors (i.e., humans, ecological populations, and the environment), and potential impacts in these receptors.

EPA announces the release of the draft report, Next Generation Risk Assessment: Incorporation of Recent Advances in Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology (External Review Draft) for a 45-day public viewing and comment period. The deadline for comments is November 14, 2013. [Federal Register Notice Sep 30, 2013]

EPA has released the report, Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds. This final report shares the results from a watershed modeling effort conducted in 20 large U.S. watersheds to assess the sensitivity of streamflow, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus), and sediment loading.

EPA is announcing the release of the final IRIS Summary for 1,4-dioxane and a new accompanying Toxicological Review for 1,4-dioxane (PDF) (419 pp, 3.8M) that have been added to the IRIS website. The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the 1,4-Dioxane (with inhalation update) IRIS assessment has also been released.

EPA is announcing the release of the report, Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (External Review Draft), for public review and comment. The deadline for comments is November 6, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Sep 24, 2013]

EPA announces a call for scientific studies to assist EPA in developing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and oxides of sulfur (SOx). The EPA is also announcing a workshop entitled ''Workshop to Discuss Policy-Relevant Science to Inform EPA's Review of the Secondary NOx and SOx NAAQS'' that is being organized by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment and the Office of Air and Radiation's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. The workshop will be held October 1-3, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Aug 29, 2013]

EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) announces a request for nominations of experts to augment the SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC) for the review of the draft IRIS Toxicological Reviews of Ammonia and Trimethylbenzenes (Revised External Review Drafts), and the draft Evaluation of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide (Revised External Review Draft). Nominations should be submitted in accordance with the Federal Register Notice by September 18, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Aug 28,2013]

EPA announces an extension of the public comment period for the draft document, Evaluation of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide (Revised External Review Draft), originally announced in a July 23, 2013 Federal Register Notice. The deadline for submitting comments is October 11, 2013. [Federal Register Aug 28, 2013]

EPA is announcing the release of the final IRIS Summary for Biphenyl and a new accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (225pp, 1.7M) that have been added to the IRIS website. The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Biphenyl IRIS assessment has also been released.

EPA announces the availability of preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). A public meeting to obtain input from stakeholders and the public on these preliminary materials is scheduled for October 23-24, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Aug 9, 2013]

EPA is announcing the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (Public Comment Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. The deadline for comments is October 21, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Aug 21, 2013]

EPA has released the final report, National Dioxin Air Monitoring Network (NDAMN) Report of the Results of Atmospheric Measurements of Polychlorinated Dibenzo P-Dioxins (PCDDs), Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and Dioxin Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Rural and Remote Areas of the United States from June 1998 Through November 2004. In 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) established the National Dioxin Air Monitoring Network (NDAMN) to help characterize the ubiquitous presence of dioxins in the environment. This final report and spreadsheet represents a 2013 update.

EPA is announcing the release of the final report,Fish Consumption in Connecticut, Florida, Minnesota, and North Dakota. This report contains the findings from four state surveys that monitored and evaluated contaminant levels in local fish and studied local populations for fish consumption behavior. The states surveyed included Connecticut, Florida, and a combined survey of Minnesota and North Dakota.

EPA announces a series of public meetings for the remainder of 2013 and throughout 2014 to increase stakeholder engangement on the development of IRIS Assessments. The first meeting, scheduled for October 23-24th, includes preliminary meeting materials and a draft agenda. [Federal Register Notice: Aug 9, 2013]

EPA announces the availability of preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for ETBE and tert-butanol for public review and comment. This announcement comes with a new series of bimonthly public meetings that will allow stakeholders the opportunity to engage earlier on in the development of these IRIS Assessments. The first meeting is scheduled for October 23-24th and will highlight ETBE, tert-Butanol and also hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). [Federal Register Notice: Aug 9, 2013]

EPA is announcing the availability of the draft report, Update to An Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the United States for the Years 1987, 1995, and 2000 for a 30-day public comment period. EPA also announced that an independent contractor will select and set up a group of experts to conduct a letter peer-review of the draft document. The deadline for comments is September 6, 2013. [Federal Register Notice Aug 7, 2013]

EPA announced enhancements to the IRIS Program and assessment development process, which include expanded details to the process descriptions, a timelines for assessment development, and new stopping rules. There is also a related fact sheet about these enhancements (PDF) (2pp, 200 Kb). [Press Release Jul 31, 2013]

EPA announced a revised draft document, entitled the Evaluation of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide, for public viewing and comments. The interagency science discussion draft document and related comments are also available. The deadline for comments is September 5, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: Jul 23, 2013]

EPA announced the dates have been set for the Hexavalent Chromium Workshop, which will be held on 2 non-consecutive days, September 19 & 25th, 2013. This event will only be held by webinar/teleconference. Registration is OPEN now and the deadline is September 5, 2013.

EPA announces registration is now open for the systematic review workshop. The workshop will be held August 26, 2013 at the EPA Facility in Arlington, VA and by webinar/teleconference. The deadline for registering is August 21, 2013.

EPA announces registration is now open for the mouse lung tumors workshop. The workshop will be held October 24-25, 2013 at the EPA Facility in Research Triangle Park, NC and by webinar/teleconference. The deadline for registering is October 10, 2013.

EPA announced the agenda for the August 26, 2013 Systematic Review Workshop is posted. The goal for this workshop is to receive scientific input regarding approaches for different steps within a systematic review, such as evaluating individual studies, synthesizing evidence within a particular discipline, and integrating evidence across different disciplines to draw scientific conclusions and causality determinations.

EPA is announcing the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) of Lead (Pb) Final Report. This is EPA's latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to lead. The development of this document is part of the Agency's periodic review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and will provide the scientific basis to inform EPA decisions related to the review of the current lead standards. [Federal Register Jun 26, 2013]

EPA announced the peer review meeting for the review of the methanol noncancer IRIS assessment. Additional details and history for the methanol draft document are also available.

EPA announces a public Mouse Lung Tumor workshop to take place on October 24-25, 2013. This event on "Chemically-induced Mouse Lung Tumors: Application to Human Health Risk Assessment" is a two-day, state-of-the-science workshop that will cover a broad range of evidence from human, animal, and in vitro (test tube) studies with a focus on specific chemicals (ethylbenzene, naphthalene, and styrene) causing tumors in mice and implicated in a proposed species-specific mode of action based on metabolic and physiological susceptibility.

EPA has extended the deadline to submit public comments on the revised draft Bristol Bay Assessment by 30 days, until June 30, 2013. [Federal Register Notice Jun 6, 2013]

EPA announced a workshop and requests information for an update on the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for oxides of sulfur (SOx) (for which the indicator is sulfur dioxide [SO₂]). This ISA will update the scientific assessment presented in the Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides-Health Criteria (EPA 600/R-08/047F), published in September 2008. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for the review of the NAAQS for SOx by submitting recent research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. The workshop will be held June 12-13, 2013, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The workshop is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis. [Federal Register Notice May 10, 2013]

On June 11,2013, EPA will host a workshop to review a draft development plan for the next Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for the health effects of nitrogen oxides (NOX) which will serve as the scientific basis for review of the primary (health-based) National Ambient Air Quality Standard for nitrogen dioxide. [Federal Register Notice May 10, 2013]

EPA announced a revised external draft of the IRIS Toxicological Review for Methanol (noncancer) for public viewing and comments. Comments must be received on or before June 17, 2013. [Federal Register Notice: May 03, 2013]

EPA released the Draft Plan for Development of the Integrated Science Assessment for Nitrogen Oxides - Health Criteria. Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2013. [Federal Register Notice May 3, 2013]

EPA is seeking public input on specific topics related to systematic review of scientific studies and suggested speakers on this topic. This is part of EPA's plan to develop and implement approaches to improve the fundamental science of its assessments and to increase transparency and clarity in evaluating evidence and drawing conclusions. EPA will use this input to inform the development of one or more public workshops that will take place in the summer or fall of 2013 and will focus on issues related to the use of a systematic review process for evaluating potential health hazards of chemical exposures. Suggestions must be received on or before May 31, 2013.

EPA is announcing the release of the revised draft report, An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska, for public review and comment soon to be announced in the Federal Register. This draft report provides a summary of the Bristol Bay watershed's ecological resources and contains an evaluation of the impacts of large-scale mining on these resources. Comments must be received on or before May 31, 2013. [Federal Register Notice Apr 30, 2013]

EPA is announcing the release of the Wildlife Scenario Builder and User's Guide (Version 1.0, Beta Test). The Wildlife Scenario Builder, or WSB, was developed to improve the quality of wildlife risk assessments. It is a Windows based application that helps risk assessors estimate air, water, and dietary intake rates for a variety of North American Wildlife species.

EPA is announcing the availability of the draft report, Watershed Modeling to Assess the Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change and Urban Development in 20 U.S. Watersheds, for an independent external peer review and public comment period. This draft report characterizes the sensitivity of streamflow, nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus), and sediment loading in different regions of the nation to a range of plausible mid-21st Century climate change and urban development scenarios. [Federal Register Mar 1, 2013]

EPA is announcing the release of several final reports for the BTEX chemicals (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) and Manganese. These final reports are a summary of reference value arrays with critical supporting documentation for the chemicals manganese, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene.

EPA is announcing the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) of Ozone (O3) and Related Photochemical Oxidants Final Report. This is EPA's latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to O₃. The development of this document is part of the Agency's periodic review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) and will provide the scientific basis to inform EPA decisions related to the review of the current O₃ standards. [Federal Register Feb 15, 2013]

EPA's IRIS Program have posted updated schedules for several chemicals in the assessment development process. The chemical assessments with new schedules represent a subset of the entire IRIS agenda. These schedules incorporate additional stakeholder engagement early in the assessment development process. For several assessments that have already undergone public comment and external peer review, the schedules reflect EPA's decision to obtain further public comment and external peer review of the revisions due to the nature of the peer review comments. The release of these schedules represents the IRIS Program's continuing efforts to improve the assessment development process, meet the needs of the American public, and meet our goal to complete the IRIS assessments in a timely manner.

EPA's Integrated Risk Information (IRIS) Program submits new materials to the National Research Council (NRC)committee reviewing their assessment development process.

EPA's Science Advisory Board has released the final report of the "Review of EPA's Draft Assessment Entitled Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (August 2011)."

EPA's Science Advisory Board announces the establishment of the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC) for review of IRIS Assessments. The charter of the new CAAC committee is to provide advice regarding Toxicological Reviews of environmental chemicals available on EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). EPA will also consult with the committee on questions regarding the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program. This action continues the agency's efforts to further strengthen the IRIS program. [Outlined originally in a Nov 18, 2011 Press Release.]

EPA is announcing the availability of the independent workshop proceedings, Report of the State-of-the-Science Workshop: Evaluation of Epidemiological Data Consistency for Application in Regulatory Risk Assessment. This report provides a summary of selected epidemiology methodological issues for assessing consistency in epidemiological study results.

EPA has released the response to comments document on the draft exposure factors handbook from the external peer review meeting that was held on March 3-4, 2010 in Arlington, VA.