Recent Additions on Risk Assessment Research
Find current and past announcements about human health and ecological risk assessments, public meetings, workshops, and other related products.
February 07, 2024
ERG, a contractor for EPA, announced the external peer review meetings associated with the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS) and Related Salts (External Review Draft). The peer review meeting organized by ERG will take place virtually via Zoom. Members of the public are invited to attend as observers. A limited amount of time is set aside for oral public comment near the beginning of the peer review meeting on the first day.
December 29, 2023
The IRIS Program announced a 15-day public comment period on the inorganic arsenic BMD model code and BMD modeling output files for the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic. [Federal Register Notice December 29, 2023]
December 12, 2023
EPA announced the release of the final report, Advances in Dose Addition for Chemical Mixtures: A White Paper, which describes current EPA practices associated with dose additive methods for human health risk assessments of chemical mixtures. It discusses challenges associated with the use of toxicological information and individual chemical dose response information when applying dose additive methods and considers the potential for future applications of dose addition that take advantage of kinetic and dynamic data generated from new approach methodologies.
August 09, 2023
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced the release their final report, Review of EPA's 2022 Draft Formaldehyde Assessment, which provides recommendations for improving its draft IRIS assessment. [NASEM Press Release Notice: Aug 9, 2023]
July 09, 2023
This report includes developing tools, methods, and frameworks to support healthy and resilient ecological and human communities. USEPA scientists collaborate closely with partners and stakeholders as they use the best available science to develop effective plans to increase communities' resilience to climate change, land use activities, and other rapidly changing environmental conditions.
June 29, 2023
EPA announced the release of the final report, Sustainable and Resilient Solid Waste Infrastructure: Davenport, Iowa Case Study. The report examines current municipal solid waste (MSW) management infrastructure of Davenport, Iowa and provide scenarios with resilience, sustainability, and equity considerations in mind. The City of Davenport, Iowa was selected as the project site through discussions among the project team based on its proximity to a major river, availability of data, and a varied set of waste facilities. The City of Davenport is part of the Quad Cities Region in Iowa and Illinois.
June 12, 2023
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
April 25, 2023
Publication: Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States (Final Report)
EPA announced the release of the report, Climate Change and Children's Health and Well-Being in the United States. The report is a national-scale, multi-sector report that quantifies projected health effects associated with extreme heat, air quality, changing seasons, flooding, and infectious diseases. Where possible, the analyses consider the extent to which these risks disproportionately fall on children from overburdened populations.
April 14, 2023
EPA announced the release of the report, A Systematic Evidence Map of Noncancer Health Endpoints and Exposures to Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Mixtures.
April 10, 2023
EPA announced the release of the draft document, IRIS Toxicological Review of Perfluorodecanoic Acid (PFDA), for a 60-day public comment period, which will close on June 9, 2023. The interagency comments on the Interagency Science Consultation Draft were also released.[Federal Register Notice Apr 10, 2023]
April 10, 2023
Publication: Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHXA) and Related Salts (Final Report)
EPA announced the release of the Toxicological Review of Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHXA) and Related Salts. EPA has updated the IRIS Database to reflect the release of the finalized assessment. The interagency comments on the Interagency Science Discussion Draft were also released.
March 31, 2023
EPA announced the availability of the Lead (Pb) Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) External Review Draft for public comment in a March 31, 2023, Federal Register Notice. The extended deadline for comments is June 13,2023.
March 17, 2023
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Protocol for the Naphthalene IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials), for a 30-day public comment period, which will close on April 17, 2023.[Federal Register Notice Mar 17, 2023]
February 27, 2023
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
February 17, 2023
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Protocol for the Ethylbenzene IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials), for a 30-day public comment period, which will close on March 20, 2023.[Federal Register Notice Feb 17, 2023]
December 22, 2022
EPA released the report, "ORD Staff Handbook for Developing IRIS Assessments," or "IRIS Handbook," which provides the operating procedures for developing assessments to the scientists in the IRIS Program. [Press Release, Dec 22, 2022]
December 09, 2022
EPA announced a call for scientific and policy-relevant information for the development of an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen (Health Criteria). The deadline for submitting a response to this call was February 7, 2023. [Federal Register Notice Dec 9, 2022]
October 28, 2022
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
July 12, 2022
EPA released the final report, Derivation of an Acute Reference Concentration for Inhalation Exposure to Naphthalene, which contains scientific evaluations provided in response to a request for site technical support from ORD's Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center (STSC).
June 24, 2022
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
April 14, 2022
EPA released the final report of the "Supplement to the 2019 Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (EPA/600/R-22/028)". [Federal Register Notice Apr 14, 2022]This is the companion to the 2019 PM ISA.
February 28, 2022
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
February 17, 2022
EPA announces the availability of the final report, Action Plan for Restoration of Coral Reef Coastal Protection Services: Case Study Example and Workbook, Supplement to a Manager's Guide to Coral Reef Restoration Planning & Design. The action plan, case study, and workbook found in this report demonstrate a structured process for integrating climate-smart design considerations into restoration planning using A Manager's Guide to Coral Reef Restoration Planning and Design, focusing on an example goal of recovering nature-based coastal protection services.
February 14, 2022
EPA announced the release of the final report, Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States: A Focus on Six Impacts. This report investigates the projected risks of climate change to socially vulnerable populations in the U.S. across six impact sectors: air quality, heat stress, labor, roads, coastal flooding, and inland flooding.
October 28, 2021
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
July 30, 2021
EPA announced the release of the final report, Enhanced Aquifer Recharge of Stormwater in the United States: State of the Science Review. This report is a summary and synthesis of scientific and technical literature on enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) using stormwater. It is based on a search and screening of published literature conducted during summer and fall of 2020.
June 28, 2021
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
June 15, 2021
EPA announced the release of the final report, Advancing Pb Exposure and Biokinetic Modeling for U.S. EPA Regulatory Decisions and Site Assessments Using Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site Data. This report documents the performance evaluation of the Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) Model for Lead in Children (version v2.0) as it would be typically applied at Superfund sites to predict blood lead levels (BLLs) in populations of children.
May 28, 2021
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Systematic Review Protocol for the Methylmercury (MeHg) IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials), for a 45-day public review and comment period. The public comment period for the protocol closed on July 13, 2020. [Federal Register Notice May 28, 2020]
April 26, 2021
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Systematic Review Protocol for the Vanadium and Compounds (Oral Exposure) IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials), for a 30-day public review and comment period. The public comment period for the protocol closed on May 26, 2021. [Federal Register Notice April 26, 2020]
March 26, 2021
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development. The IRIS assessment of formaldehyde (inhalation) suspended in April 2019 has recently been unsuspended. The IRIS Program is evaluating the assessment milestones and will post an updated timeline in the June 2021 IRIS Program Outlook update. The IRIS Program also updated activities completed since the February 2021 Outlook with this interim update.
March 11, 2021
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Systematic Review Protocol for the Inorganic Mercury Salts IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials), for a public comment review. [Federal Register Notice Mar 11, 2021]
February 25, 2021
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
November 09, 2020
EPA announced the release of the draft document, ORD Staff Handbook for Developing Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessments, or IRIS Handbook.
October 30, 2020
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
July 24, 2020
EPA announced the release of the draft document, IRIS Assessment Plan (IAP) for Oral Exposure to Vanadium and Compounds (Scoping and Problem Formulation Materials), for a 30-day public comment review. The deadline for comments was August 24, 2020. [Federal Register Notice Jul 24, 2020]
July 24, 2020
EPA is announcing an independent peer review on the draft documents, Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling for Chloroprene (Ramboll, 2020) and Supplement: Uncertainty Analysis of In Vitro Metabolic Parameters and of In Vivo Extrapolation (IVIVE) Used in a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Model for Chloroprene (U.S. EPA, 2020). It will be conducted by Versar, an EPA contractor for the external scientific peer review. EPA will also convene a public meeting as a part of this peer review to allow the public an opportunity to provide oral comments to the peer reviewers. Written comments will be solicited and will be provided to the external peer reviewers. Written comments can be provided in the docket (Id Number EPA-HQ-ORD-2020-0181). [ Federal Register Notice Jul 24, 2020]
June 30, 2020
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
May 28, 2020
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Systematic Review Protocol for the Methylmercury IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials) for a 45-day public comment period as announced in the Federal Register. The deadline for comments was July 13, 2020. [Federal Register Notice May 28, 2020]
March 13, 2020
In March 2020, EPA announced a new website for finding key EPA resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus. Additional information can be found on CDC's Coronavirus (COVID-19) website, a list of Disinfectants EPA's Pesticide Program recommend (today) to ward off spreading the virus, and CDC's list of symptoms to watch for.
February 26, 2020
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
January 21, 2020
EPA announced the availability of the Guidelines for Human Exposure Assessment (hereafter "Guidelines"). The Guidelines present the current policies and practices of exposure assessors across the Agency and supersede the 1992 Guidelines for Exposure Assessment Edition.
December 31, 2019
EPA announced the release of the final report, Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter. The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter(PM) review includes information spanning scientific disciplines including atmospheric science, exposure, dosimetry, to assess the health and welfare effects related to particulate matter. [Federal Register Notice Jan 27, 2020]
December 19, 2019
EPA announces the availability of the Systematic Review Protocol for the Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Noncancer IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials) for public review comments. [Federal Register Notice Dec 19, 2019]
December 19, 2019
EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announces the release of the final report, Summary Report. Separating Anthropogenic Metals Contamination from Background: A Critical Review of Geochemical Evaluations and Proposal of Alternative Methodology. This technical paper relates to the issue of background soil chemical demarcation at metals contaminated sites.
December 18, 2019
EPA announced the release of the final report, Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value (PPRTV) Assessment for p -α,α,α-Tetrachlorotoluene on the PPRTV website.
December 18, 2019
EPA announced the release of the final report, Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value (PPRTV) Assessment for 2-Nitropropane on the PPRTV website.
December 18, 2019
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update (December 2019) on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
November 18, 2019
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
November 08, 2019
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Systematic Review Protocol for the PFBA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFNA, and PFDA IRIS Assessments (Preliminary Assessment Materials), for a 45-day public review and comment period. The protocol presents the methods for conducting the systematic reviews and dose-response analyses for development of a draft IRIS assessment for five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) assessments including: perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA; CASRN 335-76-2), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA; CASRN 375-95-1), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA, CASRN 307-24-4), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS, CASRN 355-46-4), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA, CASRN 375-22-4), and their related salts which are all members of the group per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
October 08, 2019
EPA announced the release of the draft document, IRIS Assessment Plan (IAP) for Inorganic Mercury Salts (Scoping and Problem Formulation Materials), for a 30-day public review and comment period. The IAP will be discussed with the public on December 5, 2019 at an IRIS Public Science Meeting (Webinar). More information on this event can be found by visiting the public meeting website. The public comment period for the IAP closes on November 7, 2019. [Federal Register Notice Oct 8, 2019]
October 08, 2019
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update (October 2019) on the IRIS website which includes updates to the list of IRIS Assessments that are currently in development.
September 26, 2019
EPA is announcing the availability of the document, Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (First External Review Draft) for public review and comments.The deadline for comments is December 2, 2019. [Federal Register Notice Sep 26, 2019]
September 23, 2019
EPA announces the availability of the All-Ages Lead Model (AALM), Version 2 software with updated supporting documentation (External Review Draft). The AALM Model is scheduled to undergo an independent peer review by EPA's Science Advisory Board in October 2019. For more information related to scheduling and peer reviewers for this new tool, please visit the SAB AALM Project website. [Federal Register Notice Sep 24, 2019]
May 28, 2019
EPA announced the release of the draft document, Updated Problem Formulation and Systematic Review Protocol for the Inorganic Arsenic IRIS Assessment, for a 30-day public review and comment period. The deadline for comments is June 27, 2019. [Federal Register Notice May 28, 2019]
May 16, 2019
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
April 30, 2019
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Application of the Sea-Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to the Lower Delaware Bay, with a Focus on Salt Marsh Habitat. This report presents future projections of change for seven salt marsh areas of the Delaware Bay, using the SLAMM model.
April 23, 2019
EPA announced the availability of a Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value (PPRTV) Assessment for 2-Ethylhexanol (CASRN 104-76-7). Subchronic and chronic provisional RfDs, subchronic and chronic provisional RfCs, and a provisional oral slope factor were derived in this assessment.
April 04, 2019
EPA announces the availability of the IRIS Assessment Plan for Methylmercury (Scoping and Problem Formulation Materials) for a 30-day public comment period. EPA also announces a public science meeting (via webinar) scheduled for May 15, 2019. Deadline for comments is May 6, 2019. [FR Notice Apr 4, 2019]
April 02, 2019
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook Update (April 2019) on the IRIS website. The April 2019 update lists IRIS Assessments that are currently in development, assessments that have been discontinued or suspended, and projected public milestone(s). This update comes after the release of the first Program Outlook notice announced in December 2018.
March 15, 2019
EPA announces the availability of the Systematic Review Protocol for the Hexavalent Chromium IRIS Assessment (Preliminary Assessment Materials) for a 45-day public comment period. EPA also announces at this time, a public science meeting (via webinar) scheduled for April 24, 2019 to discuss this draft report. [Federal Register Notice Mar 15, 2019]
February 06, 2019
EPA announced an update to Chapter 3 (Water and Other Select Liquids) of the Exposure Factors Handbook (2011 Edition). This update includes new information and factors on non-chemical-specific information used to assess human exposure to environmental contaminants that has become available since the 2011 Edition was released.
December 19, 2018
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Program Outlook (December 2018) timeline for chemicals under development. The document gives details about assessments that are currently in development and their projected public milestones in a timely manner. These assessments have been identified as high priority needs of the Agency for fiscal year 2019.
December 10, 2018
EPA staff from the IRIS Program participated in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 2-day workshop held December 10-11, 2018, to discuss strategies and tools for searching, screening, evaluating, and integrating mechanistic data in IRIS chemical assessments.
November 19, 2018
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
October 23, 2018
EPA announced the availability of the Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public comment period. The deadline for comments is December 11, 2018. [Federal Register Notice Oct 23, 2018]
October 15, 2018
EPA announced the release of a Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value assessment for Stable (Nonradioactive) Soluble Lanthanum (CASRN 7439-91-0) that was finalized and posted to the PPRTV website. Subchronic and chronic provisional reference dose (RfD) values were derived.
September 26, 2018
EPA announced the release of the Superfund Health Risk Technical Support Center (STSC) Annual Report for FY2017. This report provides an overview of the functions of the STSC, including the preparation and distribution of Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Values (PPRTV) Assessments, and a selection of technical responses provided in FY2017.
August 30, 2018
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) IRIS Assessment and accompanying comments were also released.
August 30, 2018
EPA announced the availability of the final report, Mapping the Vulnerability of Human Health to Extreme Heat in the United States. This report is based on an expert elicitation of governmental and academic scientists where they completed one-on-one interviews regarding the methodology and data requirements for assessing vulnerability of certain population to the health impacts associated with extreme heat in the U.S. and for developing vulnerability maps that characterize and locate vulnerable populations. The results of these interviews is the basis of this report.
August 16, 2018
EPA announced the release of a Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value assessment for Stable (Nonradioactive) Soluble Lutetium (CASRN 7439-94-3) that was finalized and posted to the PPRTV website. A subchronic provisional reference dose (RfD) value was derived.
August 15, 2018
EPA announced an update to Chapter 9 (Intake of Fruits and Vegetables) of the Exposure Factors Handbook (2011 Edition). This update includes new information and factors on the intake of fruits and vegetables that has become available since the 2011 Edition was released.
July 31, 2018
EPA announced the release of a Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value assessment for Technical Toxaphene, Weathered Toxaphene, and Toxaphene Congeners (CASRN 8001-35-2) that was finalized and posted to the PPRTV website. Subchronic and chronic provisional reference dose (RfD) values were derived for technical toxaphene and Appendix A of the assessment contains screening subchronic chronic provisional RfDs for weathered toxaphene.
July 30, 2018
EPA announced an update to Chapter 12 (Intake of Grain Products) of the Exposure Factors Handbook (2011 Edition). This update includes new information and factors on the intake of grain products that has become available since the 2011 Edition was released. This update also provides, for the first time, grain intake data for pregnant and lactating women based on NHANES 2005−2010 data.
July 17, 2018
EPA announced an update to Chapter 19 (Building Characteristics) of the Exposure Factors Handbook (2011 Edition). This update includes new information and factors on building characteristics that affect exposure in an indoor environment that has become available since the 2011 Edition was released.
July 05, 2018
EPA announced the release of the draft IRIS Assessment Plan (IAP) for Naphthalene. The IAP will be discussed with the public on August 23, 2018 at an IRIS Public Science Meeting (Webinar).
June 28, 2018
EPA announced an update to Chapter 11 (Intake of Meats, Dairy Products, and Fats) of the Exposure Factors Handbook (2011 Edition). This update includes new information and factors needed to assess exposure to environmental agents that occur from ingestion of meats, dairy products, and fats since the 2011 Edition was released.
June 26, 2018
EPA has issued a call for scientific and policy-relevant information for the preparation of an Integrated Review Plan (IRP) and an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the air quality criteria and the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone (O3) and related photochemical oxidants. The IRP will summarize the plan for the review, including the initial identification of policy-relevant issues and questions to frame the review. The ISA will build on the scientific assessment conducted for the last O3 review, focusing on assessing newly available information since the last assessment. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA by submitting information regarding significant new O3 research and policy-relevant issues for consideration in this review of the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) O3 standards.
June 26, 2018
EPA announced the availability of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen, Oxides of Sulfur and Particulate Matter Ecological Criteria (Second External Review Draft) for a 60-day public comment period. The deadline for comments is September 4, 2018. [Federal Register Notice Jun 26, 2018]
May 25, 2018
EPA announces the availability of the final report, Improving the Resilience of Best Management Practices in a Changing Environment: Urban Stormwater Modeling Studies. This report responds to the need for an improved understanding of the potential impacts of changes in long term weather conditions on the occurrence and management of urban stormwater runoff. The stormwater management scenarios covered five types of developed land use in five geographic locations representing different hydroclimatic regimes throughout the United States. This report presents the results of these modeling studies, which are applicable to both new development, redevelopment, and stormwater retrofits.
May 23, 2018
On May 23, 2018, EPA will be hosting an IRIS public science meeting to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and participate in an open discussion regarding the IRIS Assessment Plan (IAP) that was prepared for this IRIS chemical prior to the development of the draft assessment. See May 2018 IRIS Public Science Meeting for details on the IAP and meeting agenda.
May 15, 2018
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
April 23, 2018
EPA announced the release of a Provisional Peer-Reviewed Toxicity Value assessment for Stable (Nonradioactive) Gadolinium (CASRN 7440-54-2) and Soluble Salts that was finalized and posted to the PPRTV website. Appendix A of the assessment contains a screening subchronic reference dose (RfD) value.
April 16, 2018
EPA announced the release of the draft IRIS Assessment Plan for Ammonia and Ammonium Salts Noncancer Oral. The IAP will be discussed with the public on May 23, 2018 at an IRIS Public Science Meeting (Webinar). More information on this event can be found by visiting on the public meeting web site. The public comment period for the IAP closes on May 16, 2018. [Federal Register Notice Apr 16, 2018]
April 12, 2018
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) released their review of recent advancements made in the IRIS Program. The NAS report recognized the substantial progress made in implementing recommendations outlined in past NAS reports, and noted the improvement in the IRIS Program's application of systematic review methods. The committee offer recommendations which build on the progress that EPA has already made.
March 22, 2018
On March 22, 2018, EPA hosted an IRIS public science meeting to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and participate in an open discussion regarding the IRIS Assessment Plan (IAP) that was prepared for this IRIS chemical prior to the development of the draft assessment. See March 2018 IRIS Public Science Meeting for details on the IAP and meeting presentation materials.
February 01, 2018
EPA released the most recent IRIS Program Report to Congress. The report is responsive to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017, and provides Congress and the public with an update on an interagency working group's evaluation of the IRIS Program's implementation of NAS recommendations.
January 30, 2018
EPA posted a response to Request for Correction (RFC) 17002: Integrated Risk Information System; Toxicological Review of Chloroprene. The EPA document contains two attachments, including EPA's Response (Attachment 1) and a Systematic Review of Chloroprene [CASRN 126-99-8] Studies Published Since 2010 IRIS Assessment to Support Consideration of the Denka Request for Correction (RFC) (Attachment 2).
January 29, 2018
January 25, 2018
EPA announced the release of the IRIS Assessment Plan for Uranium and the Systematic Review Protocol for the IRIS Chloroform Assessment. Information regarding the implementation of systematic review in the IRIS Program is described in a January 2018 Memo.
November 30, 2017
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
June 01, 2017
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
January 18, 2017
January 17, 2017
December 13, 2016
December 09, 2016
EPA is announcing the availability of the Second External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides- Health Criteria for public comment and independent peer review in a December 9, 2016 Federal Register Notice. The deadline for comments is March 20, 2017.
September 29, 2016
EPA is announcing the availability a new model called "ExpoFIRST", or Exposure Factors Interactive Resource for Scenarios Tool. ExpoFIRST brings EPA's Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition (EFH) data to an interactive tool that maximizes flexibility and transparency for exposure assessors and is available as a comprehensive downloadable MS Access file.
September 23, 2016
EPA is announcing the release of the draft IRIS assessment of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) for external review by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC). Additional information regarding the peer review can be found on the SAB website. In addition, EPA has announced a public teleconference that will be held on November 17, 2016 to learn about the development of the draft assessment and discuss the draft charge questions. A public face-to-face meeting to conduct a peer review of the report will be done December 12-14, 2016 in Washington, DC. [SAB Federal Register Notice Sep 29, 2016]
September 20, 2016
EPA is announcing the release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Ammonia - Noncancer Inhalation (Final Report). The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Ammonia IRIS Assessment and accompanying comments were also released.
September 09, 2016
EPA is announcing the release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes (Final Report). This assessment includes an evaluation of three isomers: 1,2,3-TMB, 1,2,4-TMB and 1,3,5-TMB. The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Trimethylbenzenes IRIS Assessment and accompanying comments were also released.
September 01, 2016
EPA is announcing the availability of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE) (Public Comment Draft) for a 60-day review period and that it will be discussed at the upcoming October 26, 2016 IRIS Public Science Meeting. EPA also released the interagency science consultation documents, comments from reviewers, and EPA's response to major comments. [Federal Register Notice: Sep 1, 2016]
August 23, 2016
EPA announces the availability of the final report, Ecosystem Services Ecological Risk Assessment Endpoints Guidelines. The purpose of this report is to assist EPA risk assessors conducting ecological risk assessments in considering ecosystem services when selecting assessment endpoints. The accompanying Technical Background Paper on Ecosystem Services as Assessment Endpoints for Ecological Risk Assessment describes the science linking the use of ecosystem services to the structure and function of ecosystems and traditional ecological endpoints.
June 30, 2016
EPA is announcing the availability of the summary report, Estimating Greenspace Exposure and Benefits for Cumulative Risk Assessment Applications, from an EPA hosted science meeting held on May 4-5, 2015 to discuss greenspace and its relationship to cumulative risk assessment.
June 21, 2016
EPA will be releasing the external peer review draft report, Evaluating Urban Resilience to Climate Change: A Multi-Sector Approach, on or about June 21, 2016. This report describes an assessment tool that uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators to help cities identify areas of resilience and vulnerability to climate change impacts across different sectors. The report has been released for 30-day public comment and peer review period as announced in a June 21, 2016 Federal Register Notice
May 19, 2016
May 16, 2016
EPA is announcing the release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of tert-butyl Alcohol (tert-Butanol) (Public Comment Draft) for a 60-day public comment and review period. tert-Butanol will be one of the chemicals for discussion at the upcoming June 29-30, 2016 IRIS Public Science Meeting. [Federal Register Notice May 16, 2016]
May 01, 2016
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
April 29, 2016
EPA is announcing the availability of the draft report, "Updates to the Demographic and Spatial Allocation Models to Produce Integrated Climate and Land Use Scenarios (ICLUS) Version 2" for a 30-day public comment period as announced in an April 29, 2016 Federal Register Notice.
April 04, 2016
USGCRP announced the availability of the final report, The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. This assessment's findings represent an improvement in scientific confidence in the link between climate change and a broad range of threats to public health, while recognizing populations of concern and identifying emerging issues. These considerations provide the context for understanding Americans' changing health risks and allow us to identify, project, and respond to future climate change health threats. The overall findings underscore the significance of the growing risk climate change poses to human health in the United StatesMarch 10, 2016
EPA is announcing the release of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) public comment draft for a 60-day review period and that it will be the chemical for discussion at the upcoming May 10, 2016 IRIS Public Science Meeting. [Federal Register Notice: Mar 10, 2016]
February 29, 2016
January 28, 2016
January 07, 2016
EPA is announcing the availability of the "Guidelines for Human Exposure Assessment (External Review Draft)" for a 45-day public comment period. EPA is seeking public comment prior to external peer review. This draft guideline extends topics covered from the previous 1992 guidelines including planning and scoping for an assessment, data acquisition and use, modeling and consideration of uncertainty, and new materials on conducting an observational human exposure measurement study and considerations of lifestages and sensitive populations in exposure assessments. [Federal Register Notice Jan 7, 2016]
December 24, 2015
EPA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the draft document titled, "External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides-Health Criteria." The original FR notice, published on Nov. 24, 2015, provided a 60-day public comment period. During the comment period EPA received a request to extend this comment period for an additional 30-days, extending the comment period until Feb. 24, 2016. [Federal Register Notice: Dec 24, 2015]
December 16, 2015
December 07, 2015
EPA is announcing a workshop on temporal exposure issues to be held in Research Triangle Park, NC on January 27-29, 2016. Meeting registration and expert nominations are now open. Nominations for experts to participate in the workshop and additional comments will be accepted until December 21, 2015.
December 04, 2015
EPA has posted a final agenda for its upcoming Advancing Systematic Review Workshop, to be held in Arlington, VA, on December 16-17, 2015. In-person registration closes December 11, 2015.
November 24, 2015
EPA is announcing the availability of the External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides- Health Criteria for public comment and independent peer review. [Federal Register Notice Nov 24, 2015]
November 20, 2015
EPA will be making a presentation about the IRIS Assessment of Inorganic Arsenic during the public session of the NRC meeting on December 2, 2015. In preparation of this event, EPA has posted the background materials it submitted to the National Research Council for the December 2-3, 2015 meeting of the committee formed to peer review the draft IRIS assessment of inorganic arsenic.
November 13, 2015
EPA's Office of Land Management and Emergency Management (OLEM) announced the availability of updated Regional Screening Level (RSL) tables. The New Tables were generated to reflect changes in the toxicity and chemical-specific parameters as per the RSL hierarchies.
October 16, 2015
EPA announced a workshop on Advancing Systematic Review for Chemical Risk Assessment in Arlington, VA on December 16-17, 2015. Meeting registration and expert nominations are now open. Nominations for experts to participate in the workshop and additional topics will be accepted until November 5, 2015.
October 07, 2015
EPA announces the availability of the draft document, "Stormwater Management in Response to Climate Change Impacts: Lessons from the Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes Regions", for a 30-day public review and comment period. This report supports the goal to provide insights gleaned from workshops and assessments that EPA and National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) held with local planners on ways to further the adoption of climate change adaptation practices in stormwater management. Documentation from the workshops formed the basis for assessing common challenges and opportunities across the Chesapeake Bay and Great Lakes regions.
[Federal Register Notice October 7, 2015]
August 21, 2015
The agenda for the September 2-3, 2015 workshop on Epigenetics and Cumulative Risk Assessment has been posted. Registration for in-person attendance remains open until August 26. In preparation for the workshop, an introductory webinar on epigenetics, "Epigenetics 101", will be held on August 24 from 3:00pm - 4:30pm. Registration for the workshop and the introductory webinar are available under the registration button.
EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is hosting a workshop on Epigenetics and Cumulative Risk Assessment in Arlington, VA on September 2-3, 2015. The purpose of the workshop is to examine the state-of-the-science with respect to the role of the environment in inducing epigenetic changes in the regulation of gene expression. The workshop will emphasize exposure to both chemical and non-chemical stressors and differential susceptibility to the development of common non-communicable diseases.
EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is hosting a workshop on Epigenetics and Cumulative Risk Assessment in Arlington, VA on September 2-3, 2015. The purpose of the workshop is to examine the state-of-the-science with respect to the role of the environment in inducing epigenetic changes in the regulation of gene expression. The workshop will emphasize exposure to both chemical and non-chemical stressors and differential susceptibility to the development of common non-communicable diseases.
August 12, 2015
EPA announced a teleconference workshop to evaluate preliminary draft materials that will inform the development of the NOx and SOx Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for ecological effects. The workshop was held by teleconference from August 25-27, 2015. The workshop was open to attendance by interested public observers on a first-come, first-served basis and participation was by teleconference only. [Federal Register Notice Aug 12, 2015]
July 24, 2015
EPA announced a workshop on Epigenetics and Cumulative Risk Assessment to be held in Arlington, VA on September 2-3, 2015. The purpose of the workshop was to examine the state-of-the-science with respect to the role of the environment in inducing epigenetic changes in the regulation of gene expression. The workshop will emphasize exposure to both chemical and non-chemical stressors and differential susceptibility to the development of common non-communicable diseases.
June 04, 2015
EPA is announcing the availability of the draft report, Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources (External Review Draft) for public review and comment. This draft assessment provides a review and synthesis of available information concerning the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on drinking water resources in the U.S. [Press Release Jun 4, 2015] [SAB Federal Register Notice Jun 4, 2015]May 01, 2015
EPA announces the availability of the document, IRIS Progress Report and Report to Congress. This report, responsive to language in the 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act and submitted to Congress on February 6, 2015, provides Congress, stakeholders, and the public with an update on the implementation of recommendations from the National Research Council (NRC) on the IRIS process.
April 21, 2015
EPA is announcing upcoming science workshops to discuss and evaluate topics in risk assessment that are designed to engage the broader scientific community, interested stakeholders, and the public. These workshops will not only inform ongoing work within NCEA, but also enhance our understanding of current scientific challenges that may be addressed through new research. Four workshops are currently planned in 2015-2016.
April 17, 2015
EPA has posted scoping and problem formulation materials and key scientific topics specific to the IRIS assessment for PCBs (effects other than cancer), for the June 17-18 IRIS public science meeting. Meeting registration is now open.
March 20, 2015
EPA announced an extension of the public comment period until April 30, 2015 as announced in a March 20, 2015 Federal Register Notice.
March 18, 2015
EPA has announced the availability of preliminary discussion topics specific to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) for the upcoming June IRIS public science meeting that will be hosted in Arlington, Virginia on June 17-18, 2015.
March 11, 2015
EPA has announced two schedule adjustments for the remaining 2015 IRIS bimonthly meetings first the April 29-30, 2015 meeting is cancelled; and secondly, the bimonthly meeting originally scheduled for September 2-3, 2015 will be moved to August 26-27, 2015. The next bimonthly meeting is scheduled for June 17-18,2015 and materials to be posted in the near future.
February 06, 2015
EPA posted the agenda for the February 2015 IRIS Bimonthly Public Meeting on BBP, DIBP, and DBP. The deadlines for registration and comments are posted on the February 25-26, 2015 IRIS Bimonthly Public Meeting.
January 30, 2015
EPA is announcing the availability of the Second External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria for public comment and independent peer review as announced in a January 30, 2015 Federal Register Notice.
January 15, 2015
EPA announces the availability of the final report "Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence" in a January 15, 2015 Federal Register Notice.
January 15, 2015
EPA announces the availability of the final report "Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence" in a January 15, 2015 Federal Register Notice. The purpose of this report is to summarize the current understanding about the connectivity and mechanisms by which streams and wetlands affect the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of downstream waters. In addition, EPA's Response to Peer Review Comments document was also posted.
December 23, 2014
EPA announces the availability of the final report, SUMMARY REPORT: State-of-the-Science Workshop on Chemically-Induced Mouse Lung Tumors: Applications to Human Health Assessments. EPA hosted a two-day, state-of-the-science workshop in January 2014, which covered a broad range of evidence from human, animal, and in vitro studies with a focus on specific chemicals (ethylbenzene, naphthalene, and styrene) that cause lung tumors in mice and are implicated in a proposed species-specific mode of action (MOA) based on metabolic and physiological susceptibility. The report is a brief summary of the proceedings of the workshop.
December 08, 2014
EPA announced that dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been added to the agenda for the February 2015 IRIS Public Science Meeting. The preliminary materials for DBP will be released in mid-January. There are specific deadlines for DBP discussant registration and comments which are posted on the February 2015 IRIS Bimonthly Public Meeting web site.
December 08, 2014
EPA is announcing the availability of the final IRIS Summary for Libby Amphibole asbestos and an accompanying toxicological review, fact sheet, and frequently asked questions have been posted to the IRIS website. The Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Libby Amphibole Asbestos IRIS Assessment was also released. [Press Release December 8, 2014]
November 28, 2014
EPA announced the availability of the draft report, Regional Monitoring Networks to Detect Climate Change Effects in Stream Ecosystems (External Review Draft) for a 30-day public review and comment period. Any comments received on the draft report within the next 60-days will be considered by EPA in their revisions. Comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by December 29, 2014. [Federal Register Notice November 28, 2014]
November 21, 2014
EPA announced that they have canceled the December IRIS Bimonthly Public Science Meeting on BBP and DIBP and will instead discuss these chemicals at the February 25-26, 2015 meeting. EPA previously announced on October 15, 2014, an agreement with the National Academies' National Research Council (NRC) to arrange for independent experts input on the science underlying the development of IRIS assessments through participation in IRIS Bimonthly Public Science Meetings. These independent experts, speaking on their own behalf, will contribute to the scientific discussions of issues amongst EPA, stakeholders, and the public. The February meeting will be the first event where NRC identified experts will join the public discussion on preliminary assessment materials.
November 17, 2014
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) office announced the dates for two meetings of the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC), augmented for the review of the draft IRIS assessment of ammonia; the first scheduled for (12/17/2014) and the second for (12/19/2014). A revised draft of the assessment was posted on the IRIS web site in August 2013, when it is transmitted to the SAB for review. Please visit the SAB website for additional information. Any related questions should be directed to the SAB. [SAB FR Notice November 17, 2014]
November 06, 2014
The IRIS Program announced that they have posted the schedule and dates for the 2015 IRIS Bimonthly Public Science Meetings. The specific dates are listed on the IRIS calendar and will include meeting materials before each meeting is announced on the IRIS recent additions.
October 15, 2014
In October, the IRIS Program announced that the bimonthly public science meetings will now be supplemented by scientific experts identified by the National Academies: National Research Council (NRC). These independent experts will provide valuable scientific input and broaden the range of perspectives represented at our public meetings.
October 08, 2014
EPA posted the agenda and key science issues for the upcoming the IRIS Public Science Meeting (scheduled for October 29-30, 2014 in Arlington, VA) to discuss preliminary materials for the draft development of the IRIS assessments of Diisononyl Phthalate (DINP) and Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)).
September 29, 2014
EPA announces the availability of preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) for public review and comment. These materials will be discussed at the upcoming December IRIS public science meeting scheduled for December 15-16, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia.
September 26, 2014
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Next Generation Risk Assessment: Incorporation of Recent Advances in Molecular, Computational, and Systems Biology. This report describes new approaches that are faster, less resource intensive, and more robust that can help address the challenges of assessing potential health hazards for large number of chemicals introduced into the environment and to evaluate their safety from the perspective of human health. This report describes how new molecular, computational and systems biology data and approaches (together called "NexGen") could better inform risk assessment. Learn more about the NexGen Program at http://epa.gov/risk/nexgen.September 25, 2014
EPA is announcing the availability of the draft report, IRIS Toxicological Review of Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) (External Review Draft), as it was submitted to the Science Advisory Board (SAB) Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC), augmented for the review of the draft IRIS assessment. Details about the CAAC-benzo[a]pyrene panel, meeting dates and times will be announced in a Federal Register Notice by the SAB. The SAB will provide information on how the public can participate in the external peer review meetings, as well as instructions about how to provide comments to the SAB in the notice. Additional information on the SAB CAAC review of benzo[a]pyrene is on the SAB website.
September 22, 2014
EPA announces the final report, Child-Specific Exposure Scenarios Examples. This report is intended to be a companion document to the Exposure Factors Handbook (U.S. EPA 2011). The example scenarios were compiled from questions and inquiries received from users of the Exposure Factors Handbook (EFH) on how to select data from the EFH to assess childhood exposures. September 16, 2014
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report,Best Practices for Continuous Monitoring of Temperature and Flow in Wadeable Streams. This best practices final report describes sensor deployment for and collection of continuous temperature and flow data at ungaged sites in wadeable streams. It was written to address questions related to equipment needs; configuration, placement, and installation of equipment; and data retrieval and processing.September 02, 2014
EPA's SAB Advisory Panel announced a public teleconference to be held on October 3, 2013 for a discussion on EPA's draft Report on the Environment 2014. This follows after a face-to-face meeting that was held on July 30-31, 2014 to respond to charge questions on the web site. Specifically, the Agency requested the SAB to comment on the clarity of the ROE objectives for various audiences, the overarching conceptual framework based on a sustainability theme, the addition of statistical information for individual indicators, and the presentation of the ROE 2014 features in the online format. The purpose of the upcoming teleconference is for the SAB Panel to discuss its draft advisory report. [SAB Federal Register Notice Aug 30, 2014]
August 29, 2014
EPA announced the upcoming October IRIS public science meeting scheduled for October 29-30, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. In addition, EPA posted preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and hexavalent chromium - Part 2 (Cr(VI)) for public review and comment.
August 29, 2014
EPA hosted a Bimonthly IRIS public meeting on September 3, 2014, to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and participate in an open discussion regarding scoping and problem formulation materials for new IRIS assessments (ethylbenzene and naphthalene) prior to the development of the draft assessments. The EPA presentations are now availble from the IRIS meeting web site.
August 27, 2014
On September 26, 2014, EPA's SAB will conduct a quality review of the draft report entitled SAB Review of the Draft EPA Report Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters (August 11, 2014, Draft). This draft SAB panel report peer reviews the EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) draft report Connectivity of Streams and Wetlands to Downstream Waters: A Review and Synthesis of the Scientific Evidence (September, 2013 External Review Draft, EPA/600/R-11/098B). The ORD draft report was written to inform development of a rule proposed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clarify the definition of waters of the United States under the Clean Water Act. The SAB panel was charged with reviewing the overall clarity and technical accuracy of the ORD draft report, whether it included and correctly summarized the most relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature, and whether the findings and conclusions were supported by the available science. [SAB Federal Register Notice Aug 27, 2014]
August 27, 2014
EPA hosted a Bimonthly IRIS public meeting on June 25-27, 2014, to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and participate in an open discussion regarding preliminary materials that were prepared for the IRIS chemicals (hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI) and inorganic arsenic (iAs)) prior to the development of the draft assessments. The EPA presentations and material presented by the public are now availble from the IRIS meeting web site.
August 15, 2014
EPA transmitted the revised external review draft of the ethylene oxide assessment to the SAB for peer review by the SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC), augmented for the review of the draft IRIS assessment of ethylene oxide (CAAC-Ethylene oxide panel). Additionally, the draft assessment and charge to the peer reviewers were made available on the IRIS website. Any questions about this activity should be directed to the SAB. [SAB FR Notice August 11, 2014]
August 11, 2014
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) office announced the dates for two meetings of the Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC), augmented for the review of the draft IRIS assessment of ethylene oxide; a public teleconference (09/30/2014) and a face-to-face meeting (11/18 through 11/20/2014). A draft of the assessment will be posted on the IRIS web site on or about August 15th, when it is transmitted to the SAB for review. Once the draft is posted, please visit the SAB website for additional information. Any related questions should be directed to the SAB. [SAB FR Notice August 11, 2014]
July 25, 2014
EPA announced the September 2014 IRIS Public Science Meeting. In addition, EPA released scoping and problem formulation materials for new IRIS assessments of ethylbenzene and naphthalene for public comment and discussion. The scoping information was based on input from EPA's program and regional offices and was provided for informational purposes. The problem formulation materials are the first to be developed since the National Research Council released its Review of EPA's IRIS Process in May 2014. EPA followed these recommendations in developing the ethylbenzene and naphthalene problem formulations materials. Background information on the chemicals was also provided.
July 24, 2014
EPA hosted a Bimonthly IRIS public meeting on April 23, 2014, to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and participate in an open discussion regarding preliminary materials that were prepared for the IRIS chemicals (diethyl phthalate (DEP) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)) prior to the development of the draft assessments. The EPA presentations and material presented by the public are now availble from the IRIS meeting web site.
June 20, 2014
The Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announces the release of the final report, Evaluating Potential Exposures to Ecological Receptors Due to Transport of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants (HOCs) in Subsurface Systems. This technical paper recommends several types of screening assessments to evaluate site conditions for the potential to enhance transport of HOCs, as well as site artifacts that result from inadequate well installation and sampling procedures within a ground-water monitoring network. You can also download other ERASC Reports at http://www.epa.gov/erasc.
June 12, 2014
EPA is announcing a 2-day science workshop to obtain input on draft materials for the update to the Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxide (Health Criteria). The public is invited to attend this event which will be held on June 23-24, 2014 in Research Triangle Park, NC. [Federal Register Notice June 12, 2014]
June 02, 2014
EPA is announcing that Benchmark Dose Modeling (BMDS) training with an on-line demonstration/tutorial will be hosted via CLU-IN on June 3-5, 2014 by webinar. This 6-module training event covering many aspects of this modeling tool is intended for risk assessors, however the first session includes an "Introduction to BMDS." Participants attending the more advanced modules (2-6), will need to have the newest version of BMDS 2.5 installed (with necessary administrative rights). The latest version of the software program can be found at: http://epa.gov/ncea/bmds/. Additionally, in order to use the BMDS Wizard templates, Microsoft Excel must be installed on the participant's computers. For attendees of the Modeling Time webinar, the R statistical package (preferably version 3.1.0) must also be installed on your computers. May 29, 2014
EPA is announcing a public workshop for October 15-16, 2014 to discuss some of the recommendations from the National Academies' National Research Council's May 2014 report on the IRIS assessment process. In their report, the NRC provided several recommendations which they said should be seen as building on the progress that EPA has already made. This workshop will allow EPA to get input from the public and scientific community in an open forum. The workshop will take place in the Washington, DC area, and will be available by webinar. More details, including the location, agenda, and registration links, will be available at a later date.
May 06, 2014
The National Academies' National Research Council (NRC) released their review of the IRIS assessment development process. The NRC report applauds EPA's efforts to improve IRIS and finds that the Program has moved forward steadily in planning for and implementing changes in each element of the assessment process. Their report notes that the IRIS Program has made substantial progress in a short time, and the committee offers recommendations which build on the progress that EPA has already made. [EPA Press Release May 6, 2014] [NAS Press Release May 6, 2014]
May 01, 2014
EPA's SAB CAAC posted the agenda for the upcoming public teleconference meeting to dicuss the review of the draft IRIS trimethylbenzene assessment, the meeting will take place on May 22, 2014. See the SAB site for specific details.
April 30, 2014
EPA announced the availability of key science issues specific to inorganic arsenic and hexavalent chromium for the upcoming June IRIS Public Science Meeting scheduled for June 25-27, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia. Registration is now open.
April 25, 2014
EPA announced the availability of preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for inorganic arsenic for public review and comment. These materials, and key science issues related to the assessment, will be discussed at the upcoming June IRIS public science meeting scheduled for June 25-27, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia.
April 17, 2014
EPA announced the availability of preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) for public review and comment. These materials, and key science issues related to the assessment, will be discussed at the upcoming June IRIS public science meeting scheduled for June 25-27, 2014 in Arlington, Virginia.
April 16, 2014
EPA announces the availability of the final agenda for the April IRIS Bimonthly Public Meeting. The meeting will be held on April 23, 2014 (the second day, April 24, is no longer needed).
April 09, 2014
The EPA SAB staff office previously announced in the Federal Register (March 25, 2014) an incorrect date for the teleconference of the SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee Augmented for the Review of the Draft Ammonia Assessment (CAAC-Ammonia Panel), the correct date is June 2, 2014 from 1 - 5pm. [SAB Federal Register Notice April 9, 2014]
April 04, 2014
A draft agenda is now available for the April IRIS Bimonthly Public Meeting. The meeting will be held on April 23, 2014 (the second day, April 24, is no longer needed).
An updated preliminary Agenda is now available for the Formaldehyde Workshop, which will be held on April 30 and May 1, 2014, in the Washington D.C. metro area. A final agenda, additional workshop details, and a specific location will be announced in the near future.
An updated preliminary Agenda is now available for the Formaldehyde Workshop, which will be held on April 30 and May 1, 2014, in the Washington D.C. metro area. A final agenda, additional workshop details, and a specific location will be announced in the near future.
March 27, 2014
EPA is announcing a redesigned and updated Report on the Environment (ROE 2014) website created as a new fully integrated online experience. The ROE is a comprehensive source of scientific indicators that describe the trends in the nation's environmental and human health condition. The deadline for comments is April 27, 2014. [Federal Register Notice March 27, 2014].
March 26, 2014
EPA is confirming the dates for the Formaldehyde Workshop to be held April 30 - May 1, 2014. The workshop is part of EPA's efforts in revising its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) toxicological assessment of formaldehyde. This assessment addresses both noncancer and cancer human health effects that may result from chronic inhalation exposure to formaldehyde. To facilitate discussion of several scientific issues pertinent to the assessment, EPA will convene a public state-of-the-science workshop and webinar to discuss these issues.
March 25, 2014
EPA's SAB staff office has announced two meetings of the SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC), augmented for the review of the draft IRIS assessment of ammonia; a public teleconference on June 2, 2014 and face-to-face meeting July 14-16, 2014. See the SAB website for additional information regarding these meetings. [Federal Register Notice March 25, 2014]
March 25, 2014
EPA's SAB staff office has announced two meetings of the SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC), augmented for the review of the draft IRIS assessment of trimethylbenzenes; a public teleconference on May 22, 2014 and face-to-face meeting June 17-19, 2014. See the SAB website for additional information regarding these meetings. [Federal Register Notice March 25, 2014]
March 21, 2014
EPA is announcing the availability of two new documents related to comments received from the public on the review of the Bristol Bay Assessment (BBA). The first document, EPA's Response to Public Comments document (Apr 2013 BBA Draft), presents EPA's response to the public comments from the April 2013 draft, the second document contains the comments received from the May 2012 revised draft of the assessment.
March 13, 2014
EPA announced the availablity of a "General Comments" docket for the IRIS Program. This docket will be used to accept public comments that have broad applicability to the IRIS Program, which may include comments on general scientific issues that apply to all assessments and/or other non-chemical-specific comments about the IRIS Program. This docket does not replace the IRIS Hotline, but rather provides another avenue to submit feedback to the IRIS Program. This docket will remain open indefinitely (or until otherwise annouced that it will be closing) and is accessible from the IRIS home page.
March 06, 2014
EPA announced the availability of preliminary materials (literature search and search strategy, evidence tables, and exposure-response figures) for development of the draft Toxicological Review of Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) and Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) for public review and comment. This announcement comes with a special message from the IRIS Program. These materials will be discussed at the IRIS bimonthly public meeting scheduled for April 23-24th in Arlington, Virginia, and the public is invited to register to attend or to speak on the key issues outlined under each chemical.
February 26, 2014
At this upcoming meeting, the IRIS Program will explore a new format intended to promote public discussion of key issues for several assessments under development. The Program is being responsive to public comments heard at the December 2013 bimonthly public meeting and reflects continuing evolution in response to public comments and peer review advice.
February 20, 2014
EPA is planning to host a workshop from April 29-30, 2014, to discuss several scientific issues related to its draft Integrated Risk Information System assessment of formaldehyde (inhalation exposure). The workshop will focus on three areas: (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. We will confirm the workshop dates in the very near future.
February 13, 2014
EPA is announcing a workshop to discuss policy-relevant science to Inform EPA's "Review of the Secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur" report. The workshop is being organized by EPA's Office of Research and Development's, National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) in conjunction with the Office of Air and Radiation's, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS). The workshop will be held March 4-6, 2014, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and it will be open to attendance by interested public observers on a first-come, first-served basis up to the limits of available space.
February 12, 2014
To provide the public with additional time to prepare, EPA is rescheduling the February 18-20, 2014, meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC). The purpose of this public meeting is for the SAB CAAC to peer review the draft IRIS assessments of ammonia and trimethylbenzenes (1,2,3-, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) to provide advice to the Agency through the chartered SAB. Rescheduling the meeting is responsive to stakeholder requests, will provide the public with additional time to prepare for the meeting, and is consistent with the IRIS Program's practice of providing approximately two months advance notice of its public meetings and the SAB's commitment to provide at least 45 days advanced notice of meetings. The EPA SAB staff office will reschedule the peer reviews of these draft assessments. Additional information will be provided in the near future.
January 30, 2014
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces three public meetings. The SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee (CAAC) and additional experts will meet in a plenary session to learn about new enhancements to the EPA's process for IRIS health assessments for chemicals.
[Federal Register Notice Jan 31, 2014]
January 29, 2014
EPA announced a request for nominations for experts to augment the SAB CAAC committee to forma panel for the review of the EPA's draft IRIS Assessment of Benzo[a]pyrene. [Federal Register Notice Jan 28, 2014].
January 15, 2014
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska. This report assesses potential impacts of large-scale mining development on fish habitat and populations and resulting effects on wildlife and indigenous cultures within the Nushagak and Kvichak River watersheds of Bristol Bay, Alaska. Its purpose is to provide a characterization of the biological and mineral resources of the Bristol Bay watershed, increase understanding of the potential impacts of large-scale mining on the region's fish resources, and inform future government decisions related to protecting and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the watershed. It will also serve as a technical resource for the public, tribes, and governments who must consider how best to address the challenges of mining and ecological protection in the Bristol Bay watershed. [Federal Register Notice Jan 21, 2014]January 07, 2014
EPA hosted a Bimonthly IRIS public meeting on December 12-13, 2013 to provide an opportunity for the public to give input and participate in an open discussion regarding preliminary materials that were prepared for IRIS chemicals prior to the development of the draft assessment. This included the following chemicals: ethyl tert-butyl ether (ETBE), tert-butyl alcohol (tert-butanol), and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). This meeting was also an opportunity for the public to provide input and discussion on draft assessments and draft charges to the peer review panel prior to external peer review for the following chemicals: ethylene oxide (EtO) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Shortly after the meeting, EPA posted the presentations that were given during the meeting and general session.
November 22, 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]
November 15, 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.
November 13, 2013
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]
November 07, 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.November 07, 2013
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]
October 31, 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]
October 30, 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.
October 24, 2013
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]
September 30, 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.
September 30, 2013
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.September 30, 2013
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]
September 26, 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. September 20, 2013
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.
September 17, 2013
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]
August 29, 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]
August 28, 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]
August 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]
August 27, 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.
August 23, 2013
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]
August 21, 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]
August 20, 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.
August 15, 2013
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.August 12, 2013
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]
August 12, 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]
August 07, 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]
July 31, 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]
July 23, 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]
July 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.
July 22, 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.
July 17, 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.
July 02, 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.
June 26, 2013
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]June 25, 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.
June 18, 2013
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.
June 06, 2013
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]
May 10, 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]
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]
May 03, 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]
May 02, 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]
May 01, 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.
April 26, 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]March 29, 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.March 04, 2013
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]
February 28, 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.
February 15, 2013
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]February 05, 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.
January 30, 2013
EPA's Integrated Risk Information (IRIS) Program submits new materials to the National Research Council (NRC)committee reviewing their assessment development process.
January 30, 2013
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)."
January 25, 2013
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.]
January 22, 2013
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.
January 11, 2013
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.
December 20, 2012
EPA announced an update on the schedule of the draft assessment in response to over 230,000 public comments and the comments received from expert peer reviewers. EPA plans to have a group of qualified experts review the revised assessment prior to completion of the final assessment. The Agency is working to determine the schedule, scope, and methodology of this additional review. No deadline for completing the assessment has been set.
December 20, 2012
EPA's IRIS Program is developing updated schedules for many chemicals in the assessment development process. The new schedules will be announced on the IRIS website and available in IRISTrack in the near future. While the new schedules are being developed, the IRIS Program is continuing to improve the development process to meet our goal to complete IRIS assessments in a timely manner.
December 14, 2012
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Provisional Assessment of Recent Studies on Health Effects of Particulate Matter Exposure. This report presents the findings of EPA's survey and provisional assessment of studies published since the completion of the 2009 PM ISA. EPA has screened and surveyed the recent literature and developed a provisional assessment that places those studies of potentially greatest relevance to the current PM NAAQS review in the context of the findings of the 2009 PM ISA.
December 06, 2012
Notice: Public Stakeholders Workshop for the IRIS assessment of Inorganic Arsenic: January 8-9, 2013
EPA is announcing a Public Stakeholders Workshop for the IRIS assessment of Inorganic Arsenic on January 8-9, 2013, in Research Triangle Park, NC. Participants will be asked to highlight significant new and emerging research, discuss methods for evaluating literature, identify critical research issues that may impact the toxicological review, and discuss approaches for dose-response. The deadline for registration is January 2, 2013. [Federal Register Notice Dec 6, 2012]
November 27, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Lead - Third External Review Draft for public review and comment. This draft document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding the adequacy of the current national ambient air quality standards for lead to protect human health, public welfare, and the environment.
[Federal Register Nov 27, 2012]
November 20, 2012
EPA announced that the public workshop to discuss the IRIS assessment for inorganic arsenic is being rescheduled for early next year. More information will be forthcoming.
November 14, 2012
EPA announced a public stakeholders workshop for the IRIS assessment of inorganic arsenic to be held November 29-30, 2012, in Research Triangle Park, NC. Participants will be asked to highlight significant new and emerging research, discuss methods for evaluating literature, identify critical research issues (including mode of action) that may impact the risk assessment, and discuss approaches for dose-response.
November 09, 2012
EPA has posted the final peer review report of the draft Bristol Bay Assessment from the August 7-9, 2012 independent expert external peer review meeting that was held in Anchorage, Alaska. This report contains the recommendations, comments, and suggestions provided by 12 independent peer reviewers and their response to specific charge questions developed by the Agency with public input. The document that was under review was the draft report entitled, An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska (EPA/910/R-12/004/a-d).
November 07, 2012
EPA announces a public meeting to be held on November 13, 2012 in Arlington, VA for an open discussion about the IRIS Program. The public is invited to share their comments and listen to a panel discussion about IRIS and changes that are underway to improve the IRIS Program.
September 28, 2012
EPA has released the final report, Implications of Climate Change for State Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (Final Report). The report uses biological data collected by four states to examine the components of state and tribal bioassessment and biomonitoring programs that may be vulnerable to climate change. The study investigates the potential to identify biological response signals to climate change within existing bioassessment data sets; analyzes how biological responses can be categorized and interpreted; and assesses how they may influence the decision-making processes. September 28, 2012
EPA announces the release of the final report, Climate and Land-Use Change Effects on Ecological Resources in Three Watersheds: A Synthesis Report (EPA/600/R-07/086F). This report provides a summary of climate change impacts to selected watersheds and recommendations for how to improve the process of conducting watershed assessments in the future.September 28, 2012
EPA is announing a web summary that highlights 8 recently published papers that provide background information on cumulative risk assessment and approaches to characterize and quantify combined exposures and risks due to multiple agents or stressors, with an emphasis on chemical mixtures exposures, toxicity and risk.
September 28, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the web summary, Application of Computational Toxicological Approaches in Supporting Human Health Risk Assessment. This summary describes some of the recent progress in computational toxicology that has been conducted by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) and Human Health Risk Assessment research program. This research provides alternative approaches to the risk assessment community in their efforts to conduct hazard identification and dose-response assessment, which are used in combination with site-specific exposure information to inform the characterization of risk to support regulatory and clean-up decisions.
September 27, 2012
EPA announces the release of the final report, Advances in Inhalation Gas Dosimetry for Derivation of a Reference Concentration (RfC) and Use in Risk Assessment. This report provides the scientific foundation necessary for ensuring that methods and guidance used and implemented by EPA in inhalation risk assessment of gases reflects the state of the science.
September 20, 2012
EPA annouces that NCEA's BMDS Web site has been updated with BMDS version 2.3. This update (Build 68) fixes several interface problems with Windows 7, in which clipboard errors would occasionally crash both BMDS and Microsoft Office. In addition, BMDS 2.3 now includes more flexible data input error-trapping functionality, enabling users to store comments, documentation, notations, etc. on dataset spreadsheets without triggering data validation errors. This change in functionality enables researchers to document their datasets as necessary within the BMDS environment. Find out more about the improvements to BMDS under the "what's new" section.
August 30, 2012
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, BASINS and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools (CAT): Case Study Guide to Potential Applications, which supports the application of two recently developed water modeling tools, the Better Assessment Science Integrating point & Non-point Sources (BASINS) and the Water Erosion Prediction Project Climate Assessment Tool (WEPPCAT). This report presents a series of short case studies designed to illustrate the capabilities of these tools for conducting scenario based assessments of the potential effects of climate change on streamflow and water quality.August 16, 2012
EPA is announcing an update to CatReg. The new CatReg version 2.3 is not only compatible with Microsoft Windows, but will also run in Mac OS X systems, with R-2.15.1 for Mac OS X installed. Functionality and plot display on both Windows and OS X platforms should be the same. In the upcoming months, EPA will also be releasing a new Windows-based beta version (version 3.0 beta) of CatReg. Stay tuned for announcements of upcoming training opportunities.
August 13, 2012
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Freshwater Biological Traits Databaseand on-line searchable traits database. The report discusses the development of a database of freshwater biological traits for this project. The database combines several existing traits databases into an on-line format. The database is also augmented with additional traits that are relevant to detecting climate change-related effects, especially traits related to temperature tolerance and flow. For more details visit the site Freshwater Biological Traits Database at http://www.epa.gov/ncea/global/traits/
August 08, 2012
EPA has revised its schedule to develop the IRIS Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic (Cancer and Non-Cancer Effects of Oral Exposures). Information on the new schedule will be available on IRIS Track in the near future.
August 01, 2012
EPA is announcing the availability of this final report, Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray. This report presents a case study of engineered nanoscale silver (nano-Ag), focusing on the specific example of nano-Ag as possibly used in disinfectant sprays. To learn more about the research done on nanomaterials, visit http://www.epa.gov/ncea/nano.July 25, 2012
On March 3-4, 2010, an external peer review panel meeting was hosted by an independent contractor on the draft Exposure Factors Handbook: 2009 Update (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
July 16, 2012
IRIS is announcing the availability of the literature search for benzo[a]pyrene (50-32-8) and asking the public for any additional scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to this chemical substance. EPA will also accept information related to any other compound being assessed by the IRIS Program. [Federal Register Notice Jul 16, 2012]
July 09, 2012
EPA is announcing an update to CatReg. The new CatReg version 2.2 will make it more compatible with the latest versions of the R program it is based on. In the upcoming months, EPA will also be releasing a new Windows-based beta version (version 3.0 beta) of CatReg. So stay tuned for important CatReg information such as software updates and details regarding upcoming training opportunities.
July 09, 2012
EPA announces the availability of the final report, Lymphohematopoietic Cancers Induced By Chemicals and Other Agents: Overview and Implications for Risk Assessment. This report provides an overview of the types of mechanisms underlying the lymphohematopoietic cancers induced by chemical agents and radiation in humans, with a primary emphasis on leukemia and leukemia-inducing agents. It focuses on how mechanistic information on human leukemia-inducing agents can inform risk assessment.July 06, 2012
EPA has convened a panel of experts and will organize and conduct an independent expert external peer review meeting on August 7-9, 2012 in Anchorage, Alaska, to review the draft report entitled An Assessment of Potential Mining Impacts on Salmon Ecosystems of Bristol Bay, Alaska (EPA/910/R-12/004/a-d). [Federal Register Notice Jul 6, 2012]
July 02, 2012
EPA has released the draft report, Nanomaterial Case Study: A Comparison of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube and Decabromodiphenyl Ether Flame-Retardant Coatings Applied to Upholstery Textiles (External Review Draft), for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, the EPA will hold a public meeting on October 29, 2012 to receive comments and questions on the draft document and related material. The deadline for comments is August 31, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Jul 2, 2012 ]
June 29, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Trimethylbenzenes (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. An upcoming Federal Register Notice will announced a public listening session to be held on August 1, 2012, and the close of the comment period as August 28, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Jun 29, 2012]
June 28, 2012
IRIS announces the availability of the literature search for acrylonitrile (107-13-1) and is asking the public for any additional scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to this chemical substance.
June 19, 2012
EPA is announcing availability of Benchmark Dose Technical Guidance (BMD) Final Report. This document was developed as part of an agency-wide guidance development program by a technical panel of the EPA's Risk Assessment Forum. [Federal Register Notice, Jun 19, 2012]
June 15, 2012
EPA is announcing the availability of the report, Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Third External Review Draft) for public review and comment. The deadline for comments is August 20, 2012. [Federal Register Jun 19, 2012]
June 15, 2012
On April 3, 2012, an external peer review panel meeting was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Biphenyl: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
June 05, 2012
On June 5, EPA announced an independent scientific peer review panel that will review the draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment. In addition, EPA announced the draft charge questions, which will help guide the panel's consideration of EPA's assessment. The public has an opportunity to comment on these draft charge questions during a public comment period, which begins on June 5 and ends on June 26, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Jun 5, 2012]
June 01, 2012
EPA has released the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Ammonia (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. This draft ammonia assessment represents major progress for EPA in implementing the April 2011 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recommendations for improving IRIS assessments. The draft assessment uses a new streamlined document structure that is more transparent and clear; includes a template for describing the literature search approach; identifies the strengths and weaknesses of analyzed studies; and describes how EPA applied their guidance, methods, and criteria in developing the assessment. [ Read more in the June 1, 2012 Press Release] The listening session is scheduled for July 12, 2012, and the deadline for comments is August 7,2012 . [Federal Register Notice Jun 8, 2012]
May 24, 2012
On March 19, 2012, an external peer review panel meeting was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (Inhalation): In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
May 24, 2012
On March 7, 2012, an external peer review panel meeting was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
May 18, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the 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 report assesses potential impacts of large-scale mining development on fish populations, wildlife, and indigenous cultures within the Nushagak and Kvichak River watersheds of Bristol Bay, Alaska. The comment period opened on May 18, 2012 and closes on July 23, 2012. [Press Release May 18, 2012] [Federal Register Notice May 25, 2012]May 16, 2012
EPA announced that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will conduct a comprehensive review of the agency’s IRIS program’s assessment development process. This is a follow-up to when in April 2011, NAS recommended several ways to improve the development of IRIS assessments. EPA has embraced these recommendations and is implementing them using a phased approach. Future draft IRIS assessments released for public comment and peer review will demonstrate the progress EPA has made in implementing the NAS recommendations. [ Press Release May 16, 2012]
May 14, 2012
EPA has developed a new schedule for completing the IRIS Acrylonitrile assessment, which can be found in IRIS Track (IRISTrack - Acrylonitrile). EPA has decided to make further revisions to the acrylonitrile assessment to more fully address scientific issues in the assessment. The revised draft acrylonitrile assessment will be released for public comment and rigorous, independent expert peer review. EPA will seek to have the peer review performed by the new Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee that is being formed under the auspices of the Science Advisory Board.
May 07, 2012
IRIS announces the IRIS 2012 agenda and is requesting scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to the chemical substances on this agenda, including assessments that EPA is starting this year. [Federal Register Notice May 7, 2012]
May 04, 2012
EPA is announcing a workshop, organized by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the Office of Research and Development, to explore the possible ways by which mode-of-action and toxicity pathways approaches may contribute to interpretation of cumulative human health risks of the criteria air pollutants. The workshop will be held on May 31, 2012, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. [Federal Register Notice May 4, 2012]
April 06, 2012
IRIS announces the availability of literature searches for acetaldehyde (75-07-0) and 1,2,3-trimethlybenzene (526-73-8) and ask the public for any additional scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to these chemical substances. [Federal Register Notice April 6, 2012]
March 13, 2012
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced a follow-up teleconference of the CASAC Lead Review Panel to review EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (2nd External Review Draft) on April 10-11, 2012 in Durham, NC. See notice for additional details and meeting information. [Federal Register Notice Mar 13, 2012]
March 08, 2012
EPA is extending the deadline to submit nominations for an independent external peer review panel. EPA anticipates releasing a draft report for public comment and external peer review describing impacts associated with potential large-scale mining development in the Nushagak and Kvichak watersheds of Bristol Bay, Alaska. EPA invites the public to nominate qualified experts to be considered for this external peer review panel. See FRN for details on submitting nominations. The updated deadline for submissions is March 16, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Mar 8, 2012]
March 08, 2012
EPA announces an update on the use of data from an Italy-based lab, known as the Ramazzini Institute or "RI". This decision will impact IRIS assessments under development for methanol, MTBE and ETBE. The draft assessment for acrylonitrile is not affected, as EPA relied on data from sources other than the Ramazzini Institute to complete this draft assessment.
March 02, 2012
EPA has announced that an independent public peer review meeting for the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Biphenyl has been scheduled for April 3, 2012 in Arlington, Virgina. [Federal Register Notice Mar 2, 2012]
February 29, 2012
EPA has released the final report, Vulnerability Assessments in Support of the Climate Ready Estuaries Program: A Novel Approach Using Expert Judgement, Volume I: Results for the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (Final Report). This report is part of a pilot ecological vulnerability assessment using a novel methodology, based on expert judgment, to inform adaptation planning under EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries Program. February 29, 2012
EPA has released the final report, Vulnerability Assessments in Support of the Climate Ready Estuaries Program: A Novel Approach Using Expert Judgement, Volume II: Results for the Massachusetts Bays Program (Final Report). This report is part of a pilot ecological vulnerability assessment using a novel methodology, based on expert judgment, to inform adaptation planning under EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries Program. February 28, 2012
EPA has developed a new schedule for completing the IRIS hexavalent chromium assessment, which can be found in IRIS Track (IRISTrack - hexavalent chromium). Based on the recommendations of the external peer review panel, which met in May 2011 to review the draft IRIS assessment for hexavalent chromium (oral exposure only), EPA will consider the results of recently and soon to be completed peer-reviewed primary research on the chemical before finalizing the IRIS assessment. The oral assessment will be revised to address the peer review comments and combined with the inhalation assessment, which is currently in draft development. EPA anticipates that the draft assessment for hexavalent chromium (oral and inhalation) will be released for public comment and external peer review in 2013.
February 24, 2012
EPA is seeking expert nominations for an independent external peer review panel. EPA anticipates releasing a draft report for public comment and external peer review describing impacts associated with potential large-scale mining development in the Nushagak and Kvichak watersheds of Bristol Bay, Alaska. An external, independent panel of experts will be formed to review and provide comments on EPA's draft report. EPA invites the public to nominate qualified experts to be considered for this external peer review panel. See FRN for details on submitting nominations. Deadline for submissions is March 9, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Feb 24, 2012]
February 21, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran (THF): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for THF and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Tetrahydrofuran IRIS assessment have also been released [Updated 2/23/12].
February 17, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS Comments, Volume 1. This includes an updated Summary for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and supporting documents. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Dioxin Reanalysis, volume 1 have also been released. [More information on Dioxin can be found on the EPA consumer fact sheet on the Dioxin Science Assessment.]
February 13, 2012
EPA announces an external peer review meeting for the review of the draft report, IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (Inhalation) (External Review Draft) to be held on March 19, 2012 in Morrisville, NC. [Federal Register Notice Feb 13, 2012]
February 10, 2012
EPA is preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the primary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for oxides of nitrogen (NOx). This ISA is intended to update the scientific assessment presented in the Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen--Health Criteria (EPA 600/R-08/071), published in July 2008. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for the review of the NO2 NAAQS by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. In addition, EPA is also announcing that a workshop entitled ''Kickoff Workshop to Inform EPA's Review of the Primary NO2 NAAQS," will be held February 29 to March 1, 2012, in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. [Federal Register Notice Feb 10, 2012]
February 10, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Tetrachloroethylene, or Perc and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Tetrachloroethylene IRIS assessment have also been released. [More information on Perc can be found on the EPA fact sheet on Tetrachloroethylene/Perchloroethylene]
February 09, 2012
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced a follow-up teleconference of the CASAC Ozone Review Panel to review EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (2nd External Review Draft) on March 9, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Feb 9, 2012]
February 09, 2012
EPA held a workshop in Research Triangle Park, NC on January 4-7, 2011 to identify and prioritize research questions related to nanoscale silver based on the external review draft of the Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray document. A summary report (PDF), "Nanomaterial Case Studies Workshop: Developing a Comprehensive Environmental Assessment Research Strategy for Nanoscale Silver," is now available that describes the workshop and its outcomes.
February 07, 2012
EPA's announcing the release of the final report, "Biofuels and the Environment: The First Triennial Report to Congress" (EPA/600/R-10/183F) in February 2012. This is the first triennial Report to Congress required under Section 204 of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA). EISA increases the renewable fuel standards (RFS) to 36 billion gallons per year by 2022. Section 204 requires an assessment of environmental and resource conservation impacts of the RFS program. Air and water quality, soil quality and conservation, water availability, ecosystem health and biodiversity, invasive species, and international impacts are assessed, as well as opportunities to mitigate these impacts. February 06, 2012
EPA announces an external peer review meeting for the review of the draft report, IRIS Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide (External Review Draft) to be held on March 7, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. [Federal Register Feb 6, 2012]
February 02, 2012
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Lead - Second External Review Draft for public review and comment. This draft document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding the adequacy of the current national ambient air quality standards for lead to protect human health, public welfare, and the environment.
[Federal Register Feb 2, 2012]
January 03, 2012
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced a public meeting of the SAB Libby Asbestos Panel to conduct a review of EPA's draft Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (released in August 2011). [Federal Register Notice Dec 23, 2011]
December 08, 2011
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced a public meeting of the CASAC Ozone Review Panel to conduct a peer review of EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Second External Review Draft--September 2011). [Federal Register Notice Dec 8, 2011]
November 28, 2011
EPA is announcing an extension of the public comment period for the document, Second
External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (EPA/600/R-10/076B). The new deadline for submitting comments is December 30, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Nov 28, 2011]
November 18, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (DCM): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for DCM and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Dichloromethane IRIS assessment have also been released. (Updated: 11/23/11)
November 18, 2011
The SAB Staff Office is seeking nominations of experts to serve on the SAB Chemical Assessment Advisory Committee to provide advice regarding Toxicological Reviews of environmental chemicals available on EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Candidates should have knowledge in human health risk assessment and expertise in a range of disciplines including, but not limited to: public health; epidemiology; toxicology; modeling; biostatistics; and risk assessment. Members of the SAB and its subcommittees constitute a distinguished body of non-EPA scientists, engineers, economists, and social scientists that are nationally and internationally-recognized experts in their respective fields from academia, industry, state, and Tribal governments, research institutes, and non-governmental organizations. Members of SAB committees are appointed by the EPA Administrator for a period of three years. The deadline for nominations closes Jan 6, 2012. [Federal Register Notice Nov 18, 2011]
November 17, 2011
EPA has released the draft report, BASINS and WEPP Climate Assessment Tools: Case Study Guide to Potential Applications, for a 30-day public review and comment period. This report supports application of two recently developed water modeling tools, the BASINS and WEPP climate assessment tools. The report presents a series of short case studies designed to illustrate the capabilities of these tools for conducting scenario based assessments of the potential future effects of climate change on water resources. The deadline for submitting comments is December 19, 2011. [Federal Register November 17, 2011]
November 16, 2011
EPA has announced that they have reopened the public comment period for the review of the IRIS Toxicological Review of n-Butanol (External Review Draft) (originally announced in an August 31, 2011 Federal Register Notice) until December 7, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Nov 16, 2011]
November 09, 2011
EPA has announced an extension of the public comment period for the review of the IRIS Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide (External Review Draft) (originally announced in an September 30, 2011 Federal Register Notice) to December 29, 2011. In addition, the listening session has also been rescheduled for December 8, 2011.
[Federal Register Notice Nov 9, 2011]
[Federal Register Notice Nov 9, 2011]
November 03, 2011
EPA is announcing the report Highlights of the Exposure Factors Handbook is availble on-line. This final report provides a summary of the recommended exposure factors extracted from the more comprehensive, Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition posted on-line on September 30, 2011. Excerpts of each chapter of the Handbook and summaries of key recommendations for each of the exposure factors are provided. [Federal Register Notice Nov 3, 2011]
October 26, 2011
On July 22, 2011, an external peer review panel meeting was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Methanol (Non-Cancer): In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
October 13, 2011
September 30, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final document, Exposure Factors Handbook: 2011 Edition, a report that provides the most up-to-date data on the various human factors used in assessing exposure. These factors include: drinking water consumption, soil ingestion, inhalation rates, dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, dairy products, homegrown foods, human milk intake, human activity factors, consumer product use, and building characteristics. [Federal Register Notice Oct 3, 2011]September 30, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for TCA and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Trichloroacetic Acid IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 30, 2011
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Vanadium Pentoxide for a 60-day public review and comment period. In addition, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on November 17, 2011. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the Vanadium Pentoxide IRIS assessment has also been released. The deadline for comments is November 29, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Sep 30, 2011]
September 30, 2011
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Biphenyl for a 60-day public review and comment period. In addition, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on November 16, 2011. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the Biphenyl IRIS assessment has also been released. The deadline for comments is November 29, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Sep 30, 2011]
September 30, 2011
EPA is announcing the availability of A Summary of Publications on the Development of Mode-of-Action Information and Statistical Tools for Evaluating Health Outcomes from Drinking Water Disinfection By-Product (DBP) Exposures. This set of publications develops mode-of-action data and statistical methods for expanding beyond single chemical human health risk assessments of exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water to the evaluation of complex mixtures of DBPs. Five publications are publically available. The publications are related to the EPA's "Four Lab Study" experiments, which have been conducted to provide toxicology and chemistry data on environmentally-relevant mixtures of DBPs and to improve estimation of the potential human health risks associated with exposure to DBP mixtures.
September 30, 2011
EPA is announcing the availability of the report, Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Second External Review Draft) for public review and comment. The deadline for comments is November 29, 2011. [Federal Register Sep 30, 2011]
September 29, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Development of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Models to Predict the Carcinogenic Potency of Chemicals . This research provides an alternate approach to the risk assessment community in their efforts to prioritize and screen potential carcinogenic chemicals at hazardous sites for clean-up considerations.
September 29, 2011
EPA announces the release of the final report, Status Report: Advances in Inhalation Dosimetry for Gases with Lower Respiratory Tract and Systemic Effects (EPA/600/R-11/067). This status report provides a review of advances in the state-of-the-science for interspecies inhalation gas dosimetry related to the lower respiratory tract and the body.
September 28, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Trichloroethylene (TCE): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for TCE and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Trichloroethylene IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 23, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane (HCE): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for HCE and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Hexachloroethane IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 22, 2011
EPA announces the availability of the final report,An Assessment of Decision-Making Processes: Evaluation of Where Land Protection Planning Can Incorporate Climate Change Information. The goal of this report is to assess the feasibility of incorporating climate change impacts into the evaluation of these land protection programs. As part of a portfolio of adaptation strategies, land protection may become more important for jurisdictions, particularly to ameliorate climate change impacts on watersheds and wildlife. [Federal Register Notice Sep 22, 2011]September 16, 2011
EPA has announced an extension of the public comment period for the review of the IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (Inhalation) (External Review Draft) (originally announced in an August 31, 2011 Federal Register Notice) to November 15, 2011. In addition, the Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the 1,4-Dioxane (Inhalation) IRIS assessment has also been released. [Federal Register Notice Sep 15, 2011]
September 15, 2011
EPA has announced an extension of the public comment period for the review of the IRIS Toxicological Review of n-Butanol (External Review Draft) (originally announced in an August 31, 2011 Federal Register Notice) to November 7, 2011. In addition, EPA has rescheduled the listening session to October 26, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Sep 15, 2011]
September 09, 2011
EPA has released the IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (Inhalation) (External Review Draft) for public review and comment. EPA is extending the close of the public comment period, announced in the August 31, 2011, Federal Register Notice to November 15, 2011. These changes will be announced in a Federal Register Notice shortly. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the 1,4-Dioxane IRIS assessment is temporarily unavailable.
September 08, 2011
EPA has released the IRIS Toxicological Review of n-Butanol (External Review Draft) for public review and comment. EPA is extending the close of the public comment period, announced in the August 31, 2011, Federal Register Notice to November 14, 2011. The listening session, also announced in the August 31, 2011, Federal Register Notice, has been rescheduled to October 26, 2011. These changes will be announced in a Federal Register Notice shortly. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the n-butanol IRIS assessment has also been released.
September 08, 2011
EPA has released the draft documents, Vulnerability Assessments in Support of the Climate Ready Estuaries Program: A Novel Approach Using Expert Judgment, Volume I: Results for the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (External Review Draft) and the Vulnerability Assessments in Support of the Climate Ready Estuaries Program: A Novel Approach Using Expert Judgment, Volume II: Results for the Massachusetts Bays Program (External Review Draft), for a 30-day public review and comment period. The reports are pilot ecological vulnerability assessments using a novel methodology, based on expert judgment, to inform adaptation planning under EPA's Climate Ready Estuaries Program. The deadline for comments is October 11, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Sep 8, 2011]
September 06, 2011
EPA annouces that NCEA's BMDS Web site has been updated with BMDS version 2.2. This update includes key enhancements to the multiple tumor analysis, trend test for dichotomous data, modifications to the dichotomous hill model, the option for variable name changes in sessions, and default headers to save time starting out. Find out more about the improvements to BMDS under the "what's new" section.
August 31, 2011
EPA announces that the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane (Inhalation) for a 60-day public review and comment period is temporarily unavailable. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the 1,4-dioxane (Inhalation) IRIS assessment will also be released shortly. EPA has also announced in the federal register notice that a public listening session will be held on October 18, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Aug 31, 2011]
August 31, 2011
EPA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the document, IRIS Toxicological Review of Acrylonitrile (External Review Draft) (EPA/635/R-08/013A). The new deadline for submitting comments is September 28, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Aug 31, 2011]
August 29, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the SAB final report of EPA's draft, "Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity & Response to NAS Comments" which states that the criteria for study selection were applied in a scientifically sound manner and were well described. Concurrently, EPA announced its decision to split the dioxin assessment into 2 portions: 1) Non-cancer assessment, which EPA will complete by the end of Jan 2012. When finalized, the non-cancer assessment will mark a significant milestone for EPA because it is the first time the Agency has set an oral reference dose for dioxin; and a 2) Cancer assessment, which EPA will address as expeditiously as possible after the non-cancer assessment is posted to the IRIS database. [Press Release Aug 29, 2011]
August 26, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Change: The Challenges of conducting Multi-Stressor Global Change Vulnerability Assessments. This report investigates the issues and challenges associated with identifying, calculating, and mapping indicators of the relative vulnerability of water quality and aquatic ecosystems, across the United States, to the potential impacts of global change. [Federal Register Notice Sep 6, 2011]August 25, 2011
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Libby Amphibole Asbestos for a 60-day public review and comment period. In addition, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on October 6, 2011. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the Libby Amphibole Asbestos IRIS assessment has also been released. [Federal Register Notice Aug 25, 2011]
July 21, 2011
On May 12, 2011, an external peer review panel meeting was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
July 13, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Urea: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Urea and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the 2009 IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the Interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Urea IRIS assessment have also been released.
July 12, 2011
EPA announces a plan to further strengthen and streamline its IRIS assessment development process based on recommendations made by the National Academy of Sciences in an April 2011 evaluation. [Press Release Jul 12, 2011]
July 01, 2011
EPA is announcing a two week extension of the public comment period for the document, First External Review Draft Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (EPA/600/R-10/075A). The new deadline for submitting comments is July 19, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Jul 1, 2011]
June 30, 2011
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Acrylonitrile for a 60-day public review and comment period. In addition, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on August 10, 2011 in Arlington, VA.
The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the Acrylonitrile IRIS assessment has also been released. [Federal Register Notice Jun 30, 2011]
June 22, 2011
EPA is announcing an addendum to the IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (Non-Cancer) (External Review Draft) document. Included with this announcement is a 14-day public comment period for review of the addendum (only), and the details for an upcoming public workshop to be held on July 22, 2011 in Durham, NC. The deadline for comments is July 6, 2011. [Federal Register Notice Jun 22, 2011]
June 21, 2011
The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Lead Review Panel to to conduct a peer review of EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (First External Review Draft) and a consultation on EPA's Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Lead: Risk and Exposure Assessment Planning Document. [Federal Register Notice Jun 21, 2011]
June 03, 2011
The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Ozone Review Panel to conduct a consultation on its draft review of EPA's Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (March 2011 Draft). [Federal Register Notice Jun 3, 2011]
May 27, 2011
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, A Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams. [Federal Register Notice May 27, 2011]
May 27, 2011
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report,The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields. [Federal Register Notice May 27, 2011]
May 26, 2011
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Problem Formulation for Human Health Risk Assessments of Pathogens in Land-Applied Biosolids. [Federal Register May 26, 2011]
May 06, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Lead (Pb) for public review and comment. This draft document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding the adequacy of the current national ambient air quality standards for lead to protect human health, public welfare, and the environment. [Federal Register May 6, 2011]
April 18, 2011
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol (non-cancer) for a 60-day public review and comment period. In addition, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on May 26, 2011 in Arlington, VA. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the Methanol (Non-Cancer) IRIS assessment has also been released. [Federal Register Apr 18, 2011]
April 14, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of two draft reports, Implications of Climate Change for Bioassessment Programs and Approaches to Account for Effects (EPA/600/R-11/036A) and its supporting document, Freshwater Biological Traits Database (EPA/600/R-11/038) for a 30-day public review and comment period. The EPA also is announcing an independent peer review workshop that will be held on May 11, 2011. [Federal Register Apr 4, 2011]
April 13, 2011
EPA announces the release of the final report, A Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams. This report describes a method to characterize the relationship between the extirpation (the effective extinction) of invertebrate genera and salinity (measured as conductivity) and from that relationship derives a freshwater aquatic life benchmark.
April 13, 2011
EPA announces the release of the final report, The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields . This report assesses the state of the science on the environmental impacts of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills (MTM-VF) on streams in the Central Appalachian Coalfields.
April 12, 2011
EPA is announcing an independent external scientific peer workshop to review the draft human health assessment titled,
Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (EPA/635/R-10/004C). The workshop will be held in Arlington, VA on May 12, 2011. [Federal Register Apr 12, 2011]
April 11, 2011
EPA announced its plan to address the four draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments that were placed on hold in June 2010, pending a review of some of the underlying studies relied on in the assessments, per a report written by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), a program administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The four assessments are methanol, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), and acrylonitrile. EPA and NIEHS decided to jointly sponsor an independent Pathology Working Group (PWG) review, in cooperation with the Ramazzini Institute, of selected studies. The review has begun and will continue over the next several months. [Press Release Apr 11, 2011]
April 10, 2011
EPA has released the final report from the external peer workshop which convened to evaulate methods of determining cumulative risk associated with exposure to mulitple phthalates for inclusion in the EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Human Health Risk Assessment for Selected Phthalates.
March 28, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Problem Formulation for Human Health Risk Assessments of Pathogens in Land-Applied Biosolids. Biosolids are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as "the primarily organic solid product yielded by municipal wastewater treatment processes that can be beneficially recycled." Concerns about the potential human health effects from land applied biosolids can be addressed through a risk assessment. This report is intended to assist anyone involved in risk assessments or the management of pathogens in biosolids and researchers advancing the science in this topic area.March 28, 2011
EPA has extended the public comment period for the first external review draft of the document, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants' (EPA/600/R-10/076A). This assessment document is part of the review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone. The public comment period began on February 28, 2011, and now ends May 5, 2011. Comments must be received in writing by EPA by May 5, 2011. [Federal Register Mar 28, 2011]
March 17, 2011
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Four Case Studies of Water Utility Practices. This report represents a series of case studies describing the approaches taken by U.S. water utility practices to assess their vulnerability to climate change. March 11, 2011
EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) announces the final report, Assessment of Methods for Estimating Risk to Birds from Ingestion of Contaminated Grit Particles. This report evaluates approaches for estimating the probability of ingestion by birds of contaminated particles such as pesticide granules or lead particles.
March 11, 2011
EPA released four new IRIS assessments and is requesting scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to these chemical substances. [Federal Register Mar 11, 2011]
March 07, 2011
EPA announces that the meeting for the external peer review workshop scheduled for March 11, 2011, has been cancelled as the comments from the peer reviewers and the public are not controversial nor conflicting and can be readily accommodated in the final report. [Federal Register, Mar 7, 2011]
February 28, 2011
EPA announces the draft report, Integrated Science Assessment for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants for public review and comment. This draft document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding the adequacy of the current national ambient air quality standards for ozone to protect human health, public welfare, and the environment. [Federal Register Feb 28, 2011]
February 28, 2011
EPA annnounces the draft report, Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Change: The Challenges of conducting Multi-Stressor Global Change Vulnerability Assessments, for a 45-day public review and comment period. This draft report investigates the issues and challenges associated with identifying, calculating, and mapping indicators of the relative vulnerability of water quality and aquatic ecosystems to long-term forcings like land-use and climate change. [Federal Register Feb 28, 2011]
February 15, 2011
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, A Framework Incorporating Community Preferences in Use Attainment and Related Water Quality Decision-Making . This report enables local, state, and tribal managers to better understand the benefits, as well as the costs, of attaining high water quality, and to incorporate community preferences in decision-making.
February 07, 2011
EPA has released an update (version 2.1) to the Categorical Regression Analysis (CatReg) application utilizing some of the new features of the R program it is based on. CatReg is a computer program, written in the R programming language, to support the conduct of exposure-response analyses by toxicologists and health scientists. CatReg can be used to perform categorical regression analyses on toxicity data after effects have been assigned to ordinal severity categories and associated with up to two independent variables corresponding to the exposure conditions under which the effects occurred.
February 07, 2011
EPA has released the final report, Stressor Identification (SI) at Contaminated Sites: Upper Arkansas River, Colorado. This report is a case study using the SI methodology and CADDIS to diagnose the causal assessment for impairments of plant growth and plant species richness at a terrestrial contaminated site in a highly mineralized area of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. To learn more about CADDIS, visit http://epa.gov/caddis.January 28, 2011
EPA is annnouncing the release of the draft report, Biofuels and the Environment: The First Triennial Report to Congress (EPA/600/R-10/183A), which reviews impacts across the entire biofuel supply chain, including feedstock production and logistics, and biofuel production, distribution, and use. EPA also announces the details and location of the independent peer review meeting to be held on March 14, 2011 in Arlington, VA. [Federal Register Jan 28, 2011]
January 27, 2011
EPA is announcing a public workshop to discuss issues related to the evaluation of health risks associated with exposures to air pollutant mixtures, focusing on the criteria air pollutants. The workshop will be held February 22-24, 2011, at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, NC. Full details and registration can be found at http://epamulti.icfi.com/Home.aspx.
[Federal Register Jan 27, 2011]
[Federal Register Jan 27, 2011]
January 25, 2011
EPA announces the details for the external peer review workshop for the draft report, A Method to Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the Chesapeake Bay, to be held March 11, 2011 in Arlington, VA. [Federal Register Jan 25, 2011]
January 20, 2011
On December 13, 2010, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Urea: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk nformation System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
December 30, 2010
EPA is announcing a 2-day public dialogue conference to engage, inform, and encourage feedback as part of the "Advancing the Next Generation of Risk Assessment" (NexGen) program. The conference will take place in Washington, DC and is open to all on a first-come, first-serve basis up to the limits of available space. [Federal Register Dec 30, 2010]
December 13, 2010
EPA Announces the availability of three new post-doctoral position descriptions, see downloads for details and duty station information. Application period closes on or about January 7, 2011.
December 13, 2010
EPA is announcing a public meeting to review and discuss the EPA Nanomaterial Case Studies (Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray (External Review Draft) and Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and in Topical Sunscreen (Final 2010)). The Jan 4th meeting will also afford EPA an opportunity to highlight the Nanomaterial Case Studies and how they are being used as part of an ongoing process to refine a long-term research strategy to support the comprehensive environmental assessment of nanomaterials. [Federal Register Dec 13, 2010]
December 13, 2010
EPA is announcing the availability of literature searches for four IRIS assessments and is requesting scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to these chemical substances. [Federal Register Dec 10, 2010]
December 09, 2010
On September 21, 2010, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane (HCE): In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
December 08, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the draft report, Lymphohematopoietic Cancers Induced by Chemicals and Other Agents: Overview and Implications for Risk Assessment, for a 45-day public comment period. Public comments received after the release of the FRN will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. The deadline for comments is January 24, 2011. [Federal Register Dec 8, 2010]
November 19, 2010
November 15, 2010
EPA is announcing an independent external scientific peer workshop to: (1) Review the recommendations for evaluation of the cumulative mixtures risk of phthalates as set forth in the National Academies of Science (NAS) report "Phthalates and Cumulative Risk Assessment: The Tasks Ahead" (2008); and (2) propose additional methods and approaches, not already captured in the 2008 NAS report, that may facilitate the assessment of risk(s) associated with exposure to cumulative mixtures of the six selected phthalates. [ Federal Register Nov 15, 2010]
November 10, 2010
EPA is announcing an extension of the public comment period for the IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (External Review Draft) for an additional 30 days. The new deadline for comments is December 29, 2010. [Federal Register Nov 10, 2010]
November 10, 2010
EPA announces an external peer review meeting for the review of the draft report, IRIS Toxicological Review of Urea (External Review Draft) to be hosted on December 13, 2010 via teleconference. [Federal Register Nov 10, 2010]
November 10, 2010
EPA is announcing a workshop to evaluate initial draft materials for the Lead (Pb) Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the air quality criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb). The workshop will be held December 2-3, 2010 in Research Triangle Park, NC. [Federal Register Nov 10, 2010]
November 03, 2010
On September 23, 2010, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride): In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
October 25, 2010
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced a public teleconference to conduct a quality review of the draft Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (External Review Draft, February 2010). The meeting will be held on November 22, 2010. [Federal Register Oct 25, 2010]
October 18, 2010
EPA is soliciting public nominations for chemical substances for its 2011 agenda for the IRIS Program. EPA invites the public to submit nominations for substances to be considered for an assessment or reassessment in its IRIS Program, the deadline is December 17, 2010. Details are provided in the federal register notice. [Federal Register Oct 18, 2010]
September 30, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Chloroprene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Chloroprene and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Chloroprene IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 30, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Pentachlorophenol and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency Science Discussion Draft of the Pentachlorophenol IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 30, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency science discussion draft of the 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 30, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Cis-1,2- & Trans-1,2- dichloroethylene : In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Cis-1,2-dichloroethylene and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency science discussion draft of the Cis-1,2- & Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 30, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Cis-1,2- & Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene : In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency science discussion draft of the Cis-1,2- & Trans-1,2-dichloroethylene IRIS assessment have also been released.
September 30, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexavalent Chromium (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, the interagency draft of the Hexavalent Chromium IRIS assessment and interagency comments have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has announced that a public listening session for this draft report will be held on Nov 18, 2010. [Federal Register Sep 30, 2010]
September 29, 2010
EPA is releasing the draft report, Lymphohematopoietic Cancers Induced by Chemicals and Other Agents: Overview and Implications for Risk Assessment for an upcoming public review and comment period. This draft report provides an overview of the types of mechanisms underlying the lymphohematopoietic cancers induced by chemical agents and radiation in humans, with a primary emphasis on leukemia and leukemia-inducing agents. It focuses on how mechanistic information on human leukemia-inducing agents can inform risk assessment.
September 29, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of a project summary called, Perspectives on the Application of Mechanistic Information in Chemical Hazard and Dose-Response Assessments. This summary lists several EPA articles reviewing approaches for applying mechanistic information in human health risk assessment and exploring opportunities for progress in this area.
September 29, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of a project summary called, Potential for Incorporation of Genetic Polymorphism Data in Human Health Risk Assessment. This summary lists several EPA articles that evaluated the potential impact of genetic polymorphisms in ten metabolizing enzymes on the variability in enzyme function across ethnically diverse populations.
September 28, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency discussion draft of the Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts documents have also been released.
September 28, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Urea (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, the interagency draft of the Urea IRIS assessment and interagency comments have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has announced that a public listening session for this draft report will be held on Nov 16, 2010. [Federal Register September 28, 2010]
September 24, 2010
EPA is announcing the refresh of the new and improved Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) Web site. CADDIS helps scientists find, develop, organize, and use environmental information to improve causal assessments of biological impairments. This latest release contains new content in each part of the site, and has been reorganized into five volumes for easier access. [Federal Register Sep 24, 2010]
September 22, 2010
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced a public meeting of the SAB Dioxin Review Panel to continue its review of EPA's Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS Comments, External Review Draft. The meeting will be held in Washington, DC from October 27 - 29, 2010. [Federal Register Sep 22, 2010]
September 15, 2010
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announced two public teleconferences of the SAB Mountaintop Mining Panel to discuss the Panel's draft reports: EPA's The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields and Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams draft reports. The teleconference call dates are October 20 and 26th, 2010. [Federal Register Sep 15, 2010]
September 08, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the ICLUS v1.3 User's Manual and the ICLUS Geographic Information System (GIS) tool.
The ICLUS GIS tool can be used to generate scenarios of housing-density changes and calculate impervious surface cover for the conterminous United States. This product distributes the population projections and creates land use data described in the 2009 EPA report "Land-Use Scenarios: National-Scale Housing-Density Scenarios Consistent with Climate Change Storylines". [Federal Register Sep 8, 2010]
August 31, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft report, A Method to Assess Climate-Relevant Decisions: Application in the Chesapeake Bay (External Review Draft) for public review and comment. Comments received within the next 60 days will be considered by EPA in their revisions. [Federal Register Aug 31, 2010 ]
August 23, 2010
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft report, Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments: Four Case Studies of Water Utility Practices (External Review Draft) . This report presents a series of case studies describing the approaches currently being taken by four water utilities in the U.S. to assess their vulnerability to climate change. [Federal Register Aug 23, 2010]
August 18, 2010
EPA is announcing an extension of the public comment period for two related draft documents: (1) "The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields" and (2) "A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams." We are specifically extending the comment period on these two documents to give the public additional time to evaluate the data used to derive a benchmark for conductivity. The new deadline is Sep 3, 2010 [Federal Register Aug 18, 2010]
August 17, 2010
EPA announces an external peer review meeting for the review of the draft report, IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane (Methylene Chloride) (External Review Draft) to be hosted on September 23, 2010 in Bethesda, MD. [Federal Register Aug 17, 2010]
August 13, 2010
Publication: Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray (External Review Draft)
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document, Nanomaterial Case Study: Nanoscale Silver in Disinfectant Spray (External Review Draft), as announced in the August 13, 2010 Federal Register Notice. The deadline for comments is September 27, 2010.
August 11, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for 1,4-Dioxane and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency discussion draft of the draft 1,4-dioxane assessment have also been released.
August 02, 2010
EPA announces an external peer review meeting for the review of the draft report, IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane (External Review Draft) to be hosted on September 21, 2010 in Arlington, VA. [Federal Register Aug 2, 2010]
July 20, 2010
EPA is announcing that a workshop to evaluate initial draft materials for the health effects sections of the Ozone Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the air quality criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The workshop will be held in Research Triangle Park, NC on August 6, 2010. [Federal Register Jul 20, 2010]
July 13, 2010
EPA is extending the public comment period until Aug 13, 2010 for the report, "Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams" (EPA/600/R-10/023A). The document will be reviewed by an independent review panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by August 13, 2010. [Federal Register Jul 13, 2010]
July 13, 2010
EPA is extending the public comment period until Aug 13, 2010 for the report,"The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields" (EPA/600/R-09/138A). The document will be reviewed by an independent review panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by Aug 13, 2010. [Federal Register Jul 13, 2010]
June 28, 2010
EPA has released 5 new case studies utilizing the steps provided in the EPA Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) on-line Web site (epa.gov/caddis). These reports provide examples of how some assessors have developed, organized, and interpreted data to determine the causes of biological impairments and in some cases have improved the quality of these rivers. Additionally, the rivers studied came from five different states across the U.S. to give a more general spectrum of examples.June 23, 2010
Since the release of this draft report, EPA has received several requests for additional time to submit comments. In response to these requests, EPA is extending the public comment period until September 20, 2010 ( making this a 120-day public comment period). This draft report responds to the key recommendations and comments included in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 2006 report. In addition, it includes new analyses on potential human effects that may result from exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). [ Federal Register Jun 23, 2010]
June 22, 2010
EPA has announced a 30-day public review and comment period for the 2010 Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) Web site redesign and update. These latest improvements are available on a development site at http://caddis-review.tetratech-ffx.com/index.html. Please submit all comments to the Regulations.gov Web site, under EPA-HQ-ORD-2010-0534 by the deadline date of July 22, 2010. [Federal Register Jun 22, 2010]
June 14, 2010
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on July 9, 2010. This draft assessment, EPA's Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS Comments in Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register Jun 14, 2010]
June 02, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft Toxicological Review of Formaldehyde-Inhalation Assessment for a 90-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, the interagency draft of the Formaldehyde IRIS assessment and interagency comments have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has announced that a public listening session for this draft report will be held on July 27, 2010. [Federal Register Jun 2, 2010]
June 01, 2010
EPA is extending the public comment period until July 13, 2010 for the report," Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams" (EPA/600/R-10/023A). The document will be reviewed by an independent review panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB's peer review
meeting, will be scheduled at a later date, and announced in the Federal Register. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by July 13, 2010. [Federal Register Jun 1, 2010]
June 01, 2010
EPA is extending the public comment period until July 13, 2010 for the report,"The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields" (EPA/600/R-09/138A). The document will be reviewed by an independent review panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB's peer review
meeting, will be scheduled at a later date, and announced in the Federal Register. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by July 13, 2010. [Federal Register Jun 1, 2010]
May 26, 2010
On April 1, 2003, the Toxicological Review of Mirex and supporting documents were released for external review. Comments from the public review and external peer review meeting of this report were consolidated and the report is now available.
May 25, 2010
EPA's SAB announces a public meeting to review the draft document, A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams from July 20-22, 2010 in Washington, DC. [Federal Register May 25, 2010]
May 25, 2010
EPA's SAB announces a public meeting to review the draft document, The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields from July 20-22, 2010 in Washington, DC. [Federal Register May 25, 2010]
May 24, 2010
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff is announcing a teleconference (6/24) and a face-to-face meeting (7/13-15) of the SAB Dioxin Review Panel to review the draft report, EPA's Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS Comments, released late last week. [Federal Register May 24, 2010]
May 24, 2010
EPA announces the release of the final report, An Exposure Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs). The report provides a comprehensive assessment of exposure to this class of persistent organic pollutants for people living in the United States. Individual chapters address: the production, use, and lifecycle of PBDEs; environmental fate; environmental levels; and human exposure. [Federal Register May 24, 2010]May 21, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft EPA's Reanalysis of Key Issues Related to Dioxin Toxicity and Response to NAS Comments (EPA/600/R-10/038A) for a 90-day public review and comment period. This draft report responds to the key recommendations and comments included in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) 2006 report. In addition, it includes new analyses on potential human effects that may result from exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). These analyses have not been in previous versions of draft reports related to EPA's dioxin reassessment activity. This draft report is now considered to be under EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, and thus, the new IRIS process announced in May 2009 (http://www.epa.gov/iris/process.htm) is being followed. As such, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the dioxin reanalysis have also been released. [Federal Register Mar 31, 2010]
May 13, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Hexachloroethane for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Hexachloroethane IRIS assessment have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on June 16, 2010. [Federal Register May 13, 2010]
May 07, 2010
EPA is announcing the availability of literature searches for four IRIS assessments and is requesting scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to these chemical substances. [Federal Register May 7, 2010]
April 12, 2010
EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the report,"A Field-based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams" (EPA/600/R-10/023A). The document will be reviewed by an independent review panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB).The SAB's peer review meeting, which the public will be able to attend as observers, will be scheduled at a later date, and announced in the Federal Register. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by June 11, 2010. [Federal Register Apr 12, 2010]
April 12, 2010
EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the report,"The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and
Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields" (EPA/600/R-09/138A). The document will be reviewed by an independent review panel convened by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB's peer review
meeting, which the public will be able to attend as observers, will be scheduled at a later date, and announced in the Federal Register. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by June 11, 2010. [Federal Register Apr 12, 2010]
April 01, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the report,The Effects of Mountaintop Mines and Valley Fills on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Appalachian Coalfields (External Review Draft), for public review and comment. [Press Release Apr 1, 2010]
April 01, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the report,A Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams (External Review Draft), for public review and comment. [Press Release Apr 1, 2010]
March 31, 2010
EPA's SAB announces two public meetings of the SAB Trichloroethylene (TCE) Review Panel: a teleconference (4/20/10) and a face-to-face meeting (5/10-12) to review EPA's Toxicological Review of Trichloroethylene (External Review Draft). [March 31, 2010 Federal Register Notice]
March 31, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Dichloromethane for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Methanol IRIS assessment have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on May 11, 2010. [Federal Register Mar 31, 2010]
March 31, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Carbon Tetrachloride and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency discussion draft of the draft carbon tetrachloride assessment have also been released.
March 31, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for EGBE and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency discussion draft of the draft EGBE assessment have also been released.
March 24, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO) database of scientific studies and references that were used to develop EPA's Integrated Science Assessments (ISA) and IRIS assessment (epa.gov/iris) reports. HERO was recently cited in the ISA for Carbon Monoxide (2010), the ISA for Particulate Matter (2009), the ISA for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Ecological Criteria (2008), as well as in several recent IRIS assessments. [Press Release: Mar 24, 2010]
March 22, 2010
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Acrylamide: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes an updated Summary for Acrylamide and an accompanying toxicological review. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency discussion draft of the draft acrylamide assessment have also been released.
March 19, 2010
On January 26, 2010, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
March 15, 2010
The 2010 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference will be a 4-day meeting focusing on the applications of computational toxicology (COMPTOX) for improving risk assessment practice (including QSAR, PBPK, Molecular Docking, High Throughput Screening, Metabolomics, Data Mining, Bioinformatics, Dermal Toxicology and the toxicology/risk assessment of biofuels. The conference should provide attendees with a solid overview of how COMPTOX techniques may be used to help address common risk assessment problems encountered by various Federal agencies.
If you are interested in attending register at 2010 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference.
If you are interested in attending register at 2010 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference.
February 26, 2010
On January 27, 2010, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
February 26, 2010
EPA is preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Lead (Pb). This is intended to update and revise, where appropriate, the scientific assessment presented in the Air Quality Criteria for Lead (EPA/600/R-05/144aF-bF), published in October 2006. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for the review of the Pb NAAQS by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. [Federal Register Feb 26, 2010].
February 26, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft Development of a Relative Potency Factor (RPF) Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Mixtures (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the PAH draft report have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on April 7, 2010. [Federal Register Feb 26, 2010]
February 23, 2010
EPA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the A Framework for Categorizing the Relative Vulnerability of Threatened and Endangered Species to Climate Change(EPA/600/R-09/011) - originally cited in a November 25, 2009 Federal Register Notice. Comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by March 25, 2010. [Federal Register Feb 23, 2010]
February 22, 2010
Publication: IRIS Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic (Interagency Science Consultation Draft)
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic. As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Inorganic Arsenic IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
February 19, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft document,Toxicological Review of Inorganic Arsenic (Cancer): In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for a 60 day public review and comment period. The Interagency Science Consultation Draft of the arsenic IRIS assessment has also been released. [Federal Register Feb 19, 2010]
February 09, 2010
EPA links the IRIS Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene to the recently released National Research Council's Review of the Environmental Protection Agency's Draft IRIS Assessment of Tetrachloroethylene. [Press Release Feb 9, 2010]
February 04, 2010
On January 6, 2010, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Chloroprene (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
February 02, 2010
EPA is requesting that any speaker or observer who registered by e-mail before January 25, 2010, for the February 23, 2010, listening session on methanol, to please send in another registration request to IRISListeningSession, IRISListeningSession@epa.gov to ensure you are on the list.
February 02, 2010
EPA announces the details of an external peer review meeting to be held on March 3-4, 2010. This draft document, Exposure Factors Handbook 2009 Update (External Review Draft) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register Feb 2, 2010 ]
January 29, 2010
The IRIS Program is looking for post-doctoral candidate(s) to support their program's mission. A more detailed postion discription and the steps for applying can be found on the NCEA post-doc website.
January 29, 2010
EPA is announcing the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (CO) 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 CO. 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 CO standards. [Federal Register Jan 29, 2010]January 25, 2010
On December 17, 2009, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of cis- and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
January 21, 2010
On December 14, 2009, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
January 19, 2010
On December 10, 2009, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
January 13, 2010
EPA is announcing the availability of a final report titled, An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in U.S. EPA Human Health Risk Assessments: A Dibutyl Phthalate Case Study'' (EPA/600/R-09/028F). This report is about the application of genomic technologies (e.g., transcriptomics, genome sequence analysis) to study effects of environmental chemicals on human health and the environment. Currently, EPA provides no guidance for evaluating and incorporating genomic data into risk assessment. This report describes an approach to evaluate toxicogenomic data for use in risk assessment and a case study for dibutyl phthalate (DBP). [Federal Register Jan 13, 2010]January 12, 2010
EPA announces the release of the draft IRIS Toxicological Review of Methanol for a 60-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Methanol IRIS assessment have also been released. Following the review period, EPA has also announced that a public listening session will be held on February 23, 2010. [Federal Register Jan 12, 2010]
January 05, 2010
NCEA announces three new science vacancy positions open to the public or career employees for merit promotion. Find out more at http://epa.gov/ncea/jobs.
December 31, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the final report entitled Review of State Soil Cleanup Levels for Dioxin, as described in the May 2009 EPA's Science Plan for Activities Related to Dioxins in the Environment. This final report was announced with the release of the draft report, Guidance on Recommended Interim Preliminary Remediation Goals for Dioxin in Soil at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Sites" (December 2009), while it undergoes public review and comment. [Federal Register Jan 7, 2010]
December 31, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the draft report entitled,"An Assessment of Decision-Making Processes: the Feasibility of Incorporating Climate Change Information Into Land Protection Planning" for a 30-day public review and comment period. [Federal Register Dec 31, 2009]
December 22, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on January 26, 2010. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register December 22, 2009]
December 21, 2009
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on January 26, 2010. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of Trichloroethylene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register Dec 21, 2009]
December 17, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on January 27, 2010. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register December 17, 2009]
December 15, 2009
EPA is announcing the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (PM) 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 PM. 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 PM standards. [Federal Register Dec 15, 2009]December 08, 2009
EPA is announcing a 30-day public comment period for the external review draft report titled, ICLUS v1.2 GIS Tools and User's Manual: ArcGIS Tools and Datasets for Modeling US Housing Density (External Review Draft). [Federal Register December 8, 2009]
December 01, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on January 6, 2010. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of Chloroprene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register December 1, 2009]
November 25, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft report, A Framework for Categorizing the Relative Vulnerability of Threatened and Endangered Species to Climate Change (External Review Draft) in a November 25, 2009 Federal Register Notice. This draft report is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the draft report within 30 days after the release of the FRN will be considered by EPA in their revisions. [Federal Register November 25, 2009]November 20, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the Report on the Environmental Indicators: An Uncertainty and Scaling Pilot Study. This final report provides an analysis of uncertainty and scaling for seven of the Report on the Environment (ROE) indicators. The purpose of the ROE is to provide a reliable set of indicators for year-to-year comparisons and to inform Agency planning and decision-making, making the treatment of uncertainty critical.
November 19, 2009
On June 9, 2009, the Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane was released for external review. Comments from the public review and external peer review meeting of this report were consolidated and the report is now available.
November 10, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on December 17, 2009. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of Cis-and Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register November 10, 2009]
November 10, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on December 10, 2009. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register November 10, 2009]
November 10, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on December 14, 2009. This draft assessment, Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) was previously provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register November 10, 2009]
November 05, 2009
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on November 23, 2009, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Chloroprene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register November 5, 2009]
November 03, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft Toxicological Review of Trichloroethylene (TCE) for a 90-day public review and comment period. Additionally, as per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the trichloroethylene IRIS assessment have also been released. [Federal Register November 3, 2009]
November 02, 2009
EPA is announcing the availability of literature searches for three IRIS assessments that were or may be started in 2009 and requesting scientific information on health effects that may result from exposure to these chemical substances. [Federal Register Nov. 2, 2009]
October 27, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Highlights of the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook. This highlights document provides some introductory information about the handbook and presents a summary of the recommendations presented in the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (CSEFH). [Press Release October 27, 2009]
October 22, 2009
The Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is requesting
public nominations of experts to form an SAB Ad Hoc Panel to review
EPA's health effects assessment for Trichloroethylene (TCE).
October 22, 2009
The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a public teleconference of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee Ozone Review Panel to conduct a consultation on EPA's draft Integrated Review Plan for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone (External Review Draft,
September 2009).
October 21, 2009
On April 25, 2008, the Toxicological Review of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (EGBE) was released for external review. Comments from the first and second rounds of this review were consolidated and reports are now available.
October 21, 2009
On August 4, 2009, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
October 21, 2009
The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office announces a meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) Carbon Monoxide Review Panel to peer review NCEA's Integrated Science Assessment for Carbon Monoxide:Second External Review Draft (September 2009).
October 21, 2009
The Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is requesting
public nominations of experts to form an SAB Ad Hoc Panel to review
EPA's draft technical document entitled Development of a Relative Potency
Factor (RPF) Approach for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Mixtures. The deadline for nominations is November 12, 2009.
October 21, 2009
EPA is announcing the IRIS Update Project’s 2009 agenda and requests submission of new and relevant scientific information on health effects for the identified assessments listed in the IRIS Project’s 2009 agenda. Information must be submitted within 60 days of the publication of this notice. [Federal Register October 21, 2009]
October 20, 2009
The Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is requesting public nominations of experts to form an SAB Ad Hoc Panel to review EPA’s health
effects assessment for Methanol. The deadline for nominations is November 10, 2009.
October 19, 2009
EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) is announcing the release of the final report entitled, Evaluating Ecological Risk to Invertebrate Receptors from PAHs in Sediments at Hazardous Waste Sites. The report provides an approach for assessing risk to invertebrate receptors resulting from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (PAHs) in contaminated sediments.
October 14, 2009
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of Cerium Oxide and Cerium Compounds. As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Cerium Oxide IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
October 14, 2009
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid. As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Trichloroacetic Acid IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
October 14, 2009
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of Chlordecone. As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the Chlordecone IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
October 14, 2009
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of 2-Hexanone. As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the 2-Hexanone IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
October 14, 2009
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of 1,2,3-Trichloropropane. As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the 1,2,3-Trichloropropane IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
October 13, 2009
EPA has released the draft documents and comments from the Interagency Science Discussion of the Toxicological Review of Cis- and Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene . As per the new IRIS process, all comments received from federal agencies and White House offices on draft IRIS assessments will be made publicly available. Accordingly, interagency comments and the interagency draft of the 1,2-Dichloroethylene IRIS assessment have now been posted on this site.
October 09, 2009
EPA seeks to recruit exceptional men and women who will work in new creative ways that are cleaner for the environment, cheaper for business and taxpayers, and smarter for America's future. These two positions (a biologist and a mathematician) are located in the Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), Washington Division's Quantitative and Risk Methods Group (QRMG) Branch located in Arlington, VA.
October 07, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Exposure Factors Handbook 2009 Update (External Review Draft) for a 60-day public review and comment period. The deadline for comments is November 24, 2009. [Federal Register October 7, 2009]
October 05, 2009
EPA published a notice in the Federal Register of Monday, August 31, 2009, announcing the extension of the
public comment period for the "Integrated Science Assessment for
Particulate Matter--Second External Review Draft"' (EPA/600/R-08/139B
and EPA/600/R-08/139BA). The closing date of the extended comment
period is a Federal holiday, October 12, 2009. Thus, the comment period
is being extended to October 13, 2009. [ Federal Register October 5, 2009]
September 30, 2009
EPA announces a new summary for Thallium (I), soluble salts , an updated summary for Thallium oxide, an updated summary for Thallium selenite, and an accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (136 pp, 964K) for all three, which has been added to the IRIS Web site and database. This assessment replaces the assessments for the following related substances: Thallium acetate, Thallium carbonate, Thallium chloride, Thallium nitrate, and Thallium (I) sulfate. In addition, Thallic oxide was renamed and replaced by Thallium oxide.September 30, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the report, Review of the University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study (September 2009). This report represents EPA’s evaluation and review of the University of Michigan Dioxin Exposure Study (UMDES). The UMDES was a field study of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in the blood serum of populations living in and around Midland, Michigan, and was designed to understand the pattern of serum dioxin, furan and PCB levels among adults in the area and the factors that explain variation in these levels.
September 30, 2009
EPA announces a new Summary for 1,2,3-Trichloropropane and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (247 pp, 1.9M) have been added to the IRIS Web site. September 30, 2009
EPA announces a new Summary for Bromobenzene and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (123 pp, 764K) have been added to the IRIS Web site. September 30, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in U.S. EPA Human Health Risk Assessments: A Dibutyl Phthalate Case Study. This final report is a description of an approach to evaluate genomic data for use in risk assessment and a case study to illustrate the approach.September 30, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the Physiological Information Database for Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling. The database contains physiological parameter values for humans (all ages) as well as similar data for laboratory animal species (primarily rodents).
September 29, 2009
EPA announces a new Summary for Cerium oxide and cerium compounds and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (118 pp, 703K) have been added to the IRIS Web site.September 29, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Chloroprene: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for a 60 day public review and comment period. [Federal Register September 29, 2009]
September 29, 2009
EPA is releasing the final status report entitled, Advances in Inhalation Dosimetry of Gases and Vapors with Portal of Entry Effects in the Upper Respiratory Tract. This report provides a review of the advances in the state of the science for interspecies inhalation gas dosimetry related to the upper respiratory tract or nasal tract region.
September 28, 2009
EPA's Science Advisory Board is requesting nominations to form an ad hoc panel to provide expert advice to the EPA on a draft assessment of the ecological impacts associated with a surface coal mining technique known as mountaintop mining and valley-fill where mining overburden is placed in adjacent valleys. This assessment is being prepared by NCEA at the request of EPA's Regional Office in Philadelphia, PA.
September 25, 2009
EPA announces a new Summary for 2-Hexanone and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF) (136 pp, 964K) have been added to the IRIS Web site.September 24, 2009
EPA annouces the release of the final report entitled, Graphical Arrays of Chemical-Specific Health Effect Reference Values for Inhalation Exposures. This document provides graphical arrays and tables of key information on the derivation of human inhalation health effect reference values for specific chemicals (about 24), allowing comparisons across durations, populations, and intended use.
September 24, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for a 60 day public review and comment period. Following the review period, EPA is announcing a public listening session to be held on October 14, 2009. [Federal Register September 24, 2009]
September 24, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Cis- and Trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene : In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for a 60 day public review and comment period. Following the review period, EPA is announcing a public listening session to be held on October 19, 2009. [Federal Register September 24, 2009]
September 24, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Trichloroacetic Acid: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for public review and comment. EPA is also announcing a public listening session to be held on November 4, 2009.
[Federal Register September 24, 2009]
September 23, 2009
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on October 7, 2009, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (ETBE): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register September 23, 2009]
September 23, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Hydrogen Cyanide and Cyanide Salts: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for a 60 day public review and comment period. Following the review period, EPA is announcing a public listening session to be held on October 27, 2009. [Federal Register September 23, 2009]
September 23, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (Second External Review Draft) for public review and comment. [Federal Register September 23, 2009]
September 22, 2009
EPA announces a new Summary for Chlordecone (Kepone) and an accompanying toxicological review (PDF) (183 pp, 1.1M) have been added to the IRIS Database.August 20, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether: In Support of the Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), for a 60 day public review and comment period. [Federal Register August 20, 2009]
August 19, 2009
EPA is releasing this final report as supporting material for the Reevaluation of the Chemical Perchlorate as announced in an Aug 5, 2009 EPA Press Release. With this announcement comes a request for additional comments on alternative ways to analyze data related to the regulatory determination of perchlorate. A key focus of this re-evaluation is perchlorate exposure to sensitive life stages including infants and developing children, in addition to pregnant women and their developing fetuses. [Federal Register Aug 19, 2008]
August 14, 2009
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, Analysis of the Causes of a Decline in the San Joaquin Kit Fox Population on the Elk Hills, Naval Petroleum Reserve #1, California. This report describes a causal assessment of the decline in the abundance of San Joaquin kit foxes on an oil field. The EPA CADDIS system was used to perform the causal inference, therefore this final report will also be referenced on the CADDIS site as a case study. July 31, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter (Second External Review Draft) and annexes. This draft ISA document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding whether the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM sufficiently protects public health and the environment. [Federal Register July 31, 2009]
July 31, 2009
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document, Nanomaterial Case Studies: Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide in Water Treatment and Topical Sunscreen (External Review Draft). This draft document presents two case studies of nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) used (1) to remove arsenic from drinking water and (2) as an active ingredient in topical sunscreen. This draft document is part of a process that will inform the development of EPA’s research strategy to support nanomaterial risk assessments. [Federal Register July 31, 2009 ]
July 06, 2009
On May 21, 2009, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Halogenated Platinum Salts and Platinum Compounds (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
June 29, 2009
EPA announces the details of an external peer review workshop to be held on August 4, 2009. This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment [Federal Register May 7, 2009 ] The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration. [Federal Register June 29, 2009]
June 29, 2009
EPA announces the release of the final report, Metabolically Derived Human Ventilation Rates: A Revised Approach Based Upon Oxygen Consumption Rates .
June 19, 2009
EPA announces the availability of the final report, Land-Use Scenarios: National-Scale Housing-Density Scenarios Consistent with Climate Change Storylines. This report describes the scenarios and models used to generate national-scale housing density scenarios for the conterminous U.S. to the year 2100. The report was prepared by the Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessment's Global Change Research Program.June 09, 2009
EPA announces a public meeting to be held on June 30, 2009 to July 1, 2009 in Washington D.C. for the Science Advisory Board (SAB)
Advisory Committee's discussion of the EPA's Report on the Environment. [Jun 9, 2009 Federal Register Notice]
June 09, 2009
EPA is announcing a public listening session to be held on July 6, 2009 and an external peer review workshop to be held on August 17, 2009, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register Jun 9, 2009]
June 09, 2009
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on June 24, 2009, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register Jun 9, 2009]
June 08, 2009
EPA announces the release of the summary report cumulating the discussion and conclusions from the Feb 18-20, 2009 dioxin draft reassessment workshop held in Cincinnati, OH. EPA and Argonne National Laboratories, through an inter-Agency agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy, convened a workshop that identified and addressed issues related to the dose-response assessment of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).
May 28, 2009
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) to review and approve the draft report of the CASAC Carbon Monoxide Review Panel regarding the review of the CO ISA (First External Review Draft). [Federal Register May 28, 2009]
May 26, 2009
EPA announces the release of the 2009 Science Plan for activities related to Dioxins in the environment. [Press Release May 26, 2009]
May 21, 2009
EPA announces reforms to the agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) that will revitalize the program and ensure its scientific quality, integrity, transparency and timeliness. [Press Release May 21, 2009]
May 20, 2009
EPA is announcing a 30-day public comment period for the draft document, "An Approach to Using Toxicogenomic Data in U.S. EPA Human Health Risk Assessments: A Dibutyl Phthalate Case Study (External Review Draft)", as announced in the May 20, 2009 Federal Register Notice. In addition EPA will convene an independent panel of experts to conduct an external peer-review workshop to review the external review draft report. [Federal Register May 20, 2009]
May 20, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the final report titled, "BASINS 4.0 Climate Assessment Tool (CAT): Supporting Documentation and User's Manual". The purpose of this report is to provide in a single document a variety of documentation and user support materials supporting the use of BASINS CAT.May 07, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol, for public review and comment. [Federal Register May 7, 2009]
May 07, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of 1,4-Dioxane, for public review and comment. [Federal Register May 7, 2009]
May 05, 2009
NCEA is announcing an opportunity for a Deputy Division Director of our Cincinnati Ohio Office and an epidemiologist (specifically in the evaluation of evidence from epidemiologic studies on effects of ambient air pollutants)
to join the staff of our Research Triangle Park Division. For more information about these 2 vacancies vist USAjobs.com.
April 27, 2009
EPA announces the details of the External Peer Review Panel Workshop being held on May 21, 2009. This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment [Federal Register Feb 5, 2009 ] The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration. [Federal Register April 27, 2009]
April 24, 2009
NCEA is announcing an opportunity for an internationally recognized risk assessment scientist to fill the position of Deputy Director, in their Cincinnati, OH Division. NCEA-Cincinnati conducts assessments to characterize the toxicity and related human health effects of high priority chemicals, develops methodologies and provides guidance on the assessment of the cumulative impact of chemical mixtures, and provides tools for ecological risk and causal assessment. The Deputy Division Director is a senior advisor on matters of science and science policy, provides recommendations, advice, and direction on risk assessment issues, and is responsible for the planning, organization, and coordination of activities within the division.
April 17, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality: A Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone An Interim Report of the U.S. EPA Global Change Research Program, prepared by the NCEA Global Change Research Program Staff. This report is intended for managers and scientists working on air quality to provide them with information on the potential effects of climate change on regional air quality in the United States.[Press Release Apr 17, 2009]April 17, 2009
EPA is announcing the availability of 6 recent publications referred to as, an Overview Summary of Toxicological, Chemical, and Statistical Criteria for Defining Sufficient Similarity for Use in the Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures . Through this summary they offer approaches for using existing toxicity data on a known mixture to assess potential health risks from exposure to another related mixture (e.g., from a similar type of treatment process or emissions source) for which adequate toxicity data are unavailable and may be difficult or expensive to generate.
April 16, 2009
EPA is announcing a 30 day public comment period for the review of an ACCESS database file containing physiological parameter data intended to be suitable for application with PBPK modeling. EPA requests that interested users comment on the functionality or usability of this resource and provide comments that may be considered for improving the final product. [Federal Register Apr 16, 2009]
April 14, 2009
EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) has released the final report entitled, Estimation of Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) from Paired Observations of Chemical Concentrations in Biota and Sediment. BSAF is a parameter describing bioaccumulation of sediment-associated organic compounds or metals into tissues of ecological receptors. The report provides information on methodologies to estimate BSAF for nonionic organic chemicals.
April 03, 2009
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) announced a public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory (CASAC) CO Review Panel to discuss the CO ISA (First External Review Draft). [Federal Register Apr 3, 2009]
April 03, 2009
EPA is annoucing the availability of the final report, Considerations for Developing a Dosimetry-Based Cumulative Risk Assessment Approach for Mixtures of Environmental Contaminants. This report describes a process that can be used to determine the potential value of developing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to support a cumulative risk assessment. March 24, 2009
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will be hosting an external review meeting to discuss the IRIS Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) (External Review Draft) report to be held Apr 2-3, 2009 in Irvine, CA.
March 12, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (First External Review Draft) for public review and comment. [Federal Register March 12, 2009]
March 09, 2009
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on March 25, 2009, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Halogenated Platinum Salts and Platinum Compounds (Platinum): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register Mar 9, 2009]
February 19, 2009
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) announced a public meeting of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory (CASAC) PM Review Panel to discuss
the PM ISA (First External Review Draft). [Federal Register Feb 19, 2009]
February 06, 2009
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Nitrobenzene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes a new Summary for Nitrobenzene and an accompanying toxicological review.February 05, 2009
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Halogenated Platinum Salts and Platinum Compounds (Platinum), for public review and comment. [Federal Register Feb 5, 2009]
February 01, 2009
EPA is hosting the 2009 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference in West Chester, OH, April 27 - 30, 2009 with the theme "Toxicology and Risk Assessment from the Trenches." Registration (for the conference and hotel), directions and a draft agenda are now available.January 05, 2009
EPA has released a final report entitled, "Predicting Future Introductions of Nonindigenous Species to the Great Lakes." This report predicts the spread of aquatic nonindigenous species into the Great Lakes to help resource managers focus monitoring activities on particular species at the most vulnerable U.S. Great Lakes ports. The report also demonstrates the use of a habitat suitability model and ballast water discharge data to predict invasion potential. [Federal Register Jan 5, 2009]
January 01, 2009
The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will be hosting an external review meeting to discuss the IRIS Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) (External Review Draft) report to be held Jan 29-30, 2009 in Washington DC.
December 29, 2008
EPA is announcing a 3-day public, scientific workshop, including a public review of the recent scientific literature on 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) dose-response, to assist EPA in responding to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report, Health Risks from Dioxin and Related Compounds: Evaluation of the EPA Reassessment (NAS, 2006). [Federal Register Dec 29, 2008]
December 23, 2008
EPA is announcing a 30-day extension of the public review and comment
period changing the deadline now to February 2, 2009. [Federal Register Dec 23, 2009]
December 19, 2008
On December 18, 2008, the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council released a final report, requested and sponsored by the EPA, entitled Phthalates and Cumulative Risk Assessment: The Task Ahead.
December 19, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter and the Annexes (First External Review Draft) for public review and comment. [Federal Register Dec 19, 2008]
December 12, 2008
EPA is releasing the final report of the Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Ecological Criteria. This final ISA document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision on retaining or revising the current secondary standards for NOx and SOx. [Federal Register Dec 12, 2008] December 05, 2008
EPA is releasing a revised database, developed under contractual agreement, containing values of human physiological parameters specific to older adults obtained from published scientific literature. The information assembled in this database should provide a scientific basis for selection of several key physiological parameters for dosimetry modeling in older adults.
December 04, 2008
On December 4, 2008, the National Academy of Sciences' National Research Council released a final report, requested and sponsored by the EPA, entitled Science and Decisions: Advancing Risk Assessment.
December 04, 2008
EPA is releasing of the draft report, An Exposure Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, for a 30-day public review and comment perios. The deadline for comments is January 5, 2009. [Federal Register Dec 4, 2008]
December 02, 2008
EPA is releasing the external peer review comments for the draft document, Inhibition of the Sodium-Iodide Symporter (NIS) by Perchlorate: an Evaluation of Lifestage Sensitivity Using Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Modeling (External Review Draft). The draft report was used as supporting material for the Preliminary Regulatory Determination on Perchlorate in October 2008.
November 25, 2008
EPA is announcing the availability of the final report, An Exploratory Study: Assessment of Modeled Dioxin Exposure in Ceramic Art Studios (2008). The purpose of this report is to investigate the potential dioxin exposure to artists/hobbyists who use ball clay to make pottery and related products. November 24, 2008
EPA invites the public to comment on the preliminary list of "in vivo mammalian dose-response citations for 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)". This list was compiled as a first step in the development of EPA's response to the National Academy of Sciences comments (NAS, 2006) on the dose-response assessment presented in the Exposure and Human Health Reassessment of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds (Dioxin Reassessment, EPA, 2003). The comment period will be open until January 9, 2009. [Federal Register Nov 24, 2008]
November 17, 2008
On October 14, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and is now available.
October 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the availability of the electronic Report on
the Environment (eROE or ROE), an online site that provides access to
the environmental and human health information contained in the EPA's
2008 Report on the Environment (EPA/600/R-07/045F), released May 20,
2008, and in the EPA's 2008 Report on the Environment: Highlights of
National Trends, released September 24, 2008. The ROE provides answers to important questions EPA has asked about the condition of our nation's environment and human health over time. The site also includes the methodology, references, and sources of additional information behind the questions that form the foundation of the reports. [Federal Register Oct 30, 2008]
October 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (Final Report). The National Center for Environmental Assessment Staff have prepared this handbook to provide information on various physiological and behavioral factors commonly used in assessing children's exposure to environmental chemicals. Children have different exposure circumstances than do adults. Understanding these differences is key for evaluating potential for environmental hazards from pollutants. [ Federal Register Oct 30, 2008]October 29, 2008
EPA is announcing an independent external peer review to be hosted by the National Academy of Sciences on November 13, 2008, for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register Oct 16, 2008] [Federal Register Oct 29, 2008 - correction notice]
October 15, 2008
EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office is soliciting nominations of nationally recognized scientists for consideration of membership on an SAB Panel to provide advice on EPA's reassessment of the health risks from dioxin and related compounds. [Federal Register Oct 15, 2008]
The deadline for nominations is Nov. 5, 2008.
The deadline for nominations is Nov. 5, 2008.
October 10, 2008
EPA released this draft report as supporting material for the Preliminary Regulatory Determination on Perchlorate on October 10, 2008. [Federal Register Oct 10, 2008]
October 02, 2008
EPA is releasing the external review draft report titled, BASINS 4.0 Climate Assessment Tool (CAT): Supporting Documentation and Users Manual for a 30-day public review and comment period. The deadline for comments is November 3, 2008. [Federal Register Oct 2, 2008]
October 01, 2008
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on October 10, 2008, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Mono-Butyl Ether (EGBE): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register Oct 1, 2008]
September 30, 2008
EPA is making version 2.1 of BMDS available at this time for public beta testing. Version 2.1 includes a beta (external peer review) version of a new time-dependent toxicodiffusion model for continuous outcomes (Zhu et al., 2005), incorporates graphical plots for the continuous exponential models and allows for the use of individual animal continuous response data.
September 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). This includes a new Summary for Propionaldehyde and an accompanying toxicological review.September 30, 2008
EPA is announcing an extension to the public review and comment period on the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides - Health Criteria and the Annexes (Second External Review Draft). [Federal Register Sep 29, 2008]
September 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a project summary called, Measurement Error Estimation and Correction Methods to Minimize Exposure Misclassification in Epidemiological Studies: Project Summary.
September 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a project summary called, The Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling to Determine Route-Specific Contributions to Tissue Dosimetry of Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water.
September 29, 2008
EPA is preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Ozone (O3. This is intended to update the scientific assessment presented in the Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (EPA 600/P-05/004aF-cF), published in February 2006. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for the review of the O3 NAAQS by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or
presented at a public scientific meeting. [Federal Register Sep 29, 2008 ]
September 29, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, State-of-the-Science Workshop Report: Issues and Approaches in Low Dose-response Extrapolation for Environmental Health Risk Assessment, originally posted in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal.
September 26, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of an update on the questions and answers that provide general information about dioxins, a complex subject. The materials presented here provide information about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2003 draft risk assessment on dioxins (also called the dioxin reassessment) and the 2006 recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences. In addition to background information, these materials discuss possible effects of dioxin exposure in humans, include advice about consumption of food that might contain dioxins, and explain the review process for the dioxin reassessment before it is finalized.
September 26, 2008
EPA is announcing the availability of a new tool called "WEPPCAT" developed through an Interagency Agreement with the ORD/NCEA Global Change Research Program.
WEPPCAT is an online tool that provides a flexible capability for creating user-determined climate change scenarios for assessing the potential impacts of climate change on sediment loading to streams using the USDA's Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) Model. In combination with the existing capabilities of WEPP for assessing the effectiveness of management practices, WEPPCAT also can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for managing the impacts of climate change.
WEPPCAT is an online tool that provides a flexible capability for creating user-determined climate change scenarios for assessing the potential impacts of climate change on sediment loading to streams using the USDA's Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) Model. In combination with the existing capabilities of WEPP for assessing the effectiveness of management practices, WEPPCAT also can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for managing the impacts of climate change.
September 25, 2008
EPA announces the details of the External Peer Review Panel Workshop being held on October 16, 2008. This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment [Federal Register Apr 25, 2008 ] The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration. [Federal Register Sep 25, 2008]
September 25, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Analysis of the Sensitivity and Uncertainty in 2-Stage Clonal Growth Models for Formaldehyde with Relevance to Other Biologically-Based Dose Response (BBDR) Models.
September 24, 2008
What are the trends in the condition of the nation's air, water, and land? What are the related trends in human health and ecosystem quality? EPA's 2008 Report on the Environment (ROE) presents a set of scientifically sound indicators to help answer 23 such questions that are important to the Agency's mission to protect the environment and human health.
"EPA's 2008 Report on the Environment is part of an important dialogue on how to improve our ability to assess the nation's environmental quality and human health, and how we can use that information for better management in achieving measurable environmental results," said Dr. George Gray, EPA's assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development. Learn more about the ROE at epa.gov/roe
"EPA's 2008 Report on the Environment is part of an important dialogue on how to improve our ability to assess the nation's environmental quality and human health, and how we can use that information for better management in achieving measurable environmental results," said Dr. George Gray, EPA's assistant administrator for the Office of Research and Development. Learn more about the ROE at epa.gov/roe
September 19, 2008
EPA is releasing the draft document, Problem Formulation for Human Health Risk Assessments of Pathogens in Land-applied Biosolids (External Review Draft), for public review and comment. [Federal Register Sep 19, 2008]
September 17, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a final report titled, "Uncertainty and Variability in Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Models: Key Issues and Case Studies (Final Report) ." This report summarizes some of the recent progress in characterizing uncertainty and variability in physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models and their predictions for use in risk assessment.
September 12, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final report entitled,Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Sulfur Oxides - Health Criteria and the Annexes. This ISA represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding whether the current standard for SO2 sufficiently protects the public's health. [Federal Register Sep 12, 2008]September 12, 2008
EPA is announcing that the article, Summary of the Workshop on "The Power of Aggregated Toxicity Data", has been published in the journal, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology.
September 10, 2008
EPA is hosting an external peer review panel meeting on October 14, 2008 to review the draft document titled, "Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)". Following the External Peer Review, the final assessment will be posted in the IRIS database.[Federal Register Sep 9, 2008]
September 02, 2008
On May 29, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
August 21, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a final report titled, "A Review of the Impact of Climate Variability and Change on Aeroallergens and their Associated Effects." This report was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment's Global Climate Research Staff. August 14, 2008
On July 16, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Beryllium (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
August 13, 2008
On April 10, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Chlordecone (Kepone) (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
August 12, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Environmental Criteria and the Annexes (Second External Review Draft) for public review and comment. The deadline for submitting comments is October 1, 2008. [Federal Register Aug 12, 2008]
August 12, 2008
On July 8, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Cerium Oxide and Cerium Compounds (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
August 05, 2008
EPA announces the external peer review meeting for the draft document, Interim Report of the U.S. EPA Global Change Research Program Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality: A Preliminary Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone. [Federal Register Aug 5, 2008]
July 29, 2008
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on August 18, 2008, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). [Federal Register Jul 29, 2008]
July 25, 2008
NCEA is announcing a Title 42, Division Director position in Research Triangle Park, NC and has 2 Post-Doctoral positions descriptions now listed on their Web site. For more information visit [NCEA PostDocs] See individual postings for closing dates.
July 25, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the draft report entitled,"Preliminary Steps Towards Integrating Climate and Land Use: The Development of Land-Use Scenarios Consistent with Climate Change Emissions Storyline." This draft document is provided for public viewing and comment. [Federal Register Jul 25, 2008]
July 24, 2008
EPA is announcing an extension to the public review and comment period on the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides - Health Criteria and the Annexes (Second External Review Draft) . [Federal Register Jul 24, 2008]
July 24, 2008
On May 22, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of 2-Hexanone (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
July 17, 2008
EPA, working with the CCSP, have released the final report, Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems. This Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 (SAP 4.6) examines potential impacts of climate change on human society, opportunities for adaptation, and associated recommendations for addressing data gaps and near- and long-term research goals.July 11, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final report entitled, The Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria and the Annexes. This ISA document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding whether the current standard for NO2 sufficiently protects public health. [Federal Register Jul 11, 2008]July 10, 2008
EPA annouces that NCEA's BMDS Web site has been updated with BMDS version 2.0. This update employs a new, markedly improved user interface and has enhanced batch processing capabilities. In addition to updates made in version 1.4, this version also includes a Hill model for dichotomous responses, which allows an asymptote at less than 100% response rate, and new versions of the familiar quantal models which implement alternative background terms (background additive to dose).
July 10, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Interim Report of the U.S. EPA Global Change Research Program Assessment of the Impacts of Global Change on Regional U.S. Air Quality: A Preliminary Synthesis of Climate Change Impacts on Ground-Level Ozone. [Federal Register Jul 10, 2008]
June 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of four completed toxicologal reviews and summary documents following an independent peer review on the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessments of four congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers: tetraBDE (BDE-47), pentaBDE (BDE-99), hexaBDE (BDE-153), and decaBDE (BDE-209). The final reviews and summary documents are available from the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.June 26, 2008
EPA announced the release of the final report, Concepts, Methods, and Data Sources for Cumulative Health Risk Assessment of Multiple Chemicals, Exposures and Effects: A Resource Document, a resource document that assists in the conduct of multi-chemical, population-focused cumulative risk assessments. [Federal Register Jun 27, 2008]June 26, 2008
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) (External Review Draft). This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within 90 days after the release of the FRN will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. [Federal Register Jun 26, 2008]
June 25, 2008
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on July 16, 2008, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, "Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)". [Federal Register Jun 24, 2008]
June 20, 2008
EPA, working with the CCSP, have released the final report, Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4: Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources. This Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 (SAP 4.4) analyzes information on the state of knowledge of adaptation options for key, representative ecosystems and resources that may be sensitive to climate variability and change.June 04, 2008
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on June 27, 2008, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled, "Toxicological Review of Beryllium: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)". [Federal Register Jun 4, 2008]
June 03, 2008
EPA is announcing a listening session to be held on June 25,
2008, during the public comment period for the draft document entitled,
"Toxicological Review of Cerium Oxide and Cerium Compounds: In Support
of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System
(IRIS)". [Federal Register Jun 3, 2008]
May 30, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides - Health Criteria and the Annexes (Second External Review Draft) for public review and comment as described in the [Federal Register May 30, 2008 ]
May 27, 2008
EPA is preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM). This is intended to update and revise, where appropriate, the scientific assessment presented in the Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter (EPA 600/P-99/002aF-bF), published in October 2004. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for the review of the PM NAAQS by attending this public workshop. This was announced in a [Federal Register May 27, 2008 ]
May 22, 2008
EPA is announcing the public avalability of the final report "Development and Evaluation of Novel Dose-Response Models for Use in Microbial Risk Assessment."
May 21, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, IRIS Toxicological Review of Carbon Tetrachloride, for public review and comment in the [Federal Register May 21, 2008 . ]
May 20, 2008
EPA is announcing the final report, EPA's 2008 Report on the Environment (EPA 2008 ROE), a science-based report that answers questions about recent trends in human health and the environment. May 20, 2008
EPA announces the 2008 Science Forum. This years theme was about Innovative Technologies: Key to Environmental and Economic Progress. For more information on the forum, and links to posters, etc visit [http://www.epa.gov/ord/scienceforum]
May 12, 2008
EPA announces the release of the updated cancer assessment in the Toxicological Review of Beryllium and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register May 12, 2008 ]
May 06, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, IRIS Toxicological Review of Cerium Oxide and Cerium Compounds , for public review and comment in the [Federal Register May 6, 2008]
May 02, 2008
EPA announces the notice of the External Peer Review Panel Workshop in the [Federal Register May 2, 2008 ] This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment in a [Federal Register Mar 6, 2008 ] The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration.
April 25, 2008
EPA has added 3 new IRIS Assessments that may be started in 2008 as announced in the [Federal Register Apr 25, 2008 ]
April 25, 2008
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review of EGBE in the [Federal Register Apr 24, 2008] This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period (next 45 days) will be provided to peer reviewers prior to the External Peer Review Panel Meeting for their consideration.
April 24, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a final report titled, "Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis." This report was prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment's Global Climate Research Staff. April 23, 2008
EPA announces the notice of the External Peer Review Panel Workshop in the [Federal Register Apr 23, 2008 ] This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment in a [Federal Register Mar 3, 2008 ] The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration.
April 17, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a final contractor report titled, Development of an Analytic Approach to Determine How Environmental Protection Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Is Used By Non EPA Decision Makers. This contractor report analyzed how IRIS is used outside of the EPA, who these IRIS users are, and how well their needs are being met.
April 16, 2008
EPA announces the recent publication of the paper, Use of a simple pharmacokinetic model to characterize exposure to perchlorate, in the advanced online version of the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.
April 16, 2008
On February 20, 2008, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
April 14, 2008
EPA annnounces the release of the Application of Watershed Ecological Risk Assessment Methods to Watershed Management final document as announced in an [Federal Register Apr 14, 2008]
April 10, 2008
EPA has announced an update to the current IRIS Process as described on the [Apr 10, 2008 Press Release announcement]
April 08, 2008
EPA announces that the Global Climate Assessment Staff have sent the Final (third) review draft (PDF, 273pp, 2.36 MB) of the Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.6 to be posted on the CCSP Web site. Included with the draft is the public review draft comment on the second review draft and the summary of author's responses to FACA expert review panel (ACSERAC) (PDF, 63pp, 1.28 Mb).
April 08, 2008
EPA announces the notice of the External Peer Review Panel Workshop in the [Federal Register Apr 8, 2008] This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment in a [Federal Register Feb 15, 2008]. The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration.
March 26, 2008
EPA annnounces the release of the Causal Analysis of Biological Impairment in Long Creek: A Sandy-Bottomed Stream in Coastal Southern Maine final document has been completed as announced in a [ Federal Register Mar 26, 2008].
March 24, 2008
The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is recruiting for Biologist/Toxicologist/Health Scientists in both thier Alexandria and Research Triangle Park (RTP) divisions. The vacancy announcements are accessible via the Agency's EZhire Web site and USAJOBS 
and close on 04/08/2008 and 04/18/2008.
and close on 04/08/2008 and 04/18/2008. March 21, 2008
NCEA supports an active postdoctoral program providing federal research experience to up-and-coming environmental scientists. The Center currently supports a variety of postdoctoral professionals and seeks applications for this latest position. Appointments are for 3 years and include a full package of benefits.
March 17, 2008
EPA has launched a new Risk Assessment Portal to help the public learn what a risk assessment is; to be a resource for scientists to find key agency guidance/guidelines and other technical information on risk; and to bridge the gap in general risk assessment concepts and terminology across related EPA web pages. Please visit the site, epa.gov/risk to learn more.
March 13, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a final report titled, Effects of Climate Change on Aquatic Invasive Species and Implications for Management and Research. This report assesses the state of the science of climate change effects on aquatic invasive species (AIS) and examines state level management activities. March 05, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria (Second External Review Draft) and Annexes for public review and comment as described in the [Federal Register Mar 5, 2008].
March 05, 2008
EPA is announcing the release of a final report titled, "A Screening Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Mitigation in the Great Lakes and New England Regions." This report is a screening-level assessment of the potential implications climate change has had on combined sewer overflow (CSO) mitigation in the Great Lakes and New England Regions. March 05, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Propionaldehyde, for public review and comment in a [Federal Register Mar 6, 2008]
February 28, 2008
EPA announces that the Global Climate Assessment Staff have sent the Final (third) review draft of the Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.4 to be posted on the CCSP Web site. Included with the draft is the public review draft comment on the second review draft (PDF, 144pp, 1.05 MB) and the response to FACA expert review panel (ACSERAC) (PDF, 20pp, 146Kb).
February 28, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of 2-Hexanone, for public review and comment in the [Federal Register Mar 3, 2008].
February 25, 2008
EPA is hosting the 2008 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference in West Chester, OH, April 14 - 17, 2008 with the theme "The Complexity of Uncertainty: Dealing with Known Unknowns." Registration (for the conference and hotel), directions and a draft agenda are now available.February 19, 2008
EPA is releasing a new database, developed under contractual agreement, containing values of human physiological parameters specific to older adults obtained from published scientific literature. The information assembled in this database should provide a scientific basis for selection of several key physiological parameters for dosimetry modeling in older adults.
February 15, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Thallium, for public review and comment in the [Federal Register Feb 15, 2008].
February 01, 2008
EPA announces the notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register Feb 1, 2008]. The notice gave details for the upcoming public meeting which will be held from March 10 -12, 2008.
January 31, 2008
EPA announces the release of the final report, Methods/Indicators for Determining when Metals are the Cause of Biological Impairments of Rivers and Streams: Species Sensitivity Distributions and Chronic Exposure-Response Relationships from Laboratory Data. This report describes an analysis of data on the toxicity of metals to aquatic organisms in laboratory toxicity tests and how to apply this information in a Stressor Identification Assessment.
January 24, 2008
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Toxicological Review of Chlordecone (Kepone), for public review and comment with notice of an External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register Jan 24, 2008].
January 23, 2008
EPA announces the release of this final report which demonstrates how data from the Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (WBDOSS) can be used to estimate disease burden and presents results using 30 years of data.
January 18, 2008
EPA announces the notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register Jan 18, 2008]. This draft assessment was previously provided for public viewing and comment in a November 16, 2007 Federal Register Notice. The public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period will be provided to the peer reviewers prior to the meeting for their consideration.
January 15, 2008
EPA has announced a vacancy for an Interdisciplinary Scientist, Biologist/Health Scientist/Physical Scientist, GS-401/601/1301-13 position that will be open from 01/15 - 02/05/08, under announcement numbers RTP-DE-2008-0044 and RTP-MP-2008-0076. The announcements are open under delegated examining and merit promotion . This position is announced via the USAJOBS Web site.
January 15, 2008
EPA announced that a workshop entitled "Workshop to Discuss Policy-Relevant Science to Inform EPA's Integrated Plan for the Review of the Primary Carbon Monoxide National Ambient Air Quality Standards" will be held on January 28-29, 2008 in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The workshop will be open to the public.
January 09, 2008
New online Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS) training is available on the EPA BMDS website
(www.epa.gov/ncea/bmds). The training
consists of five narrated sets of slides covering (1) Introduction to Benchmark Dose Modeling, (2) Modeling Dichotomous Data, (3) Modeling Dichotomous
Cancer Data, (4) Modeling Continuous Data, and (5) Modeling Nested (e.g., Developmental) Data. This course is a narrated, online representation of
EPA's 1-day Benchmark Dose Training course with examples using BMDS version 1.4.1c.
January 07, 2008
EPA announces they will hold a public meeting of the Adaptation for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources Advisory Committee (ACSERAC) on Jan 15th in the [Federal Register Jan 7, 2008 ].
January 07, 2008
EPA announces they will be holding a public meeting of the Human Impacts of Climate Change Federal Advisory Committee on Jan 14th in the [Federal Register Jan 7, 2008].
December 28, 2007
EPA has released the draft document, IRIS Toxicological Review of Acrylamide, as announced in a [Federal Register Dec 28, 2007]. This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period (over the next 60 days) will be provided to EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) for their consideration. Any comments not received within the requested time period will be considered by EPA in their revisions. The deadline for comments is February 26, 2008.
December 21, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Environmental Criteria and the Annexes (First External Review Draft) for public review and comment as described in the December 21, 2007 Federal Register Notice. The deadline for submitting comments is February 21, 2008.
December 21, 2007
EPA is releasing the IRIS 2008 Agenda which includes a list of chemicals currently being assessed and a list of 20 candidates for upcoming IRIS assessments in a [Federal Register Dec 21, 2007].
December 20, 2007
On November 1, 2007, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
December 13, 2007
EPA annnounces the release of the Causal Analysis of Biological Impairment in Long Creek: A Sandy-Bottomed Stream in Coastal Southern Maine final document which has been completed and posted on the NCEA Web site.
The photo (on the left) is taken from the Long Creek Watershed in Maine.
December 05, 2007
On Aug 29, 2007, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Bromobenzene (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
November 29, 2007
EPA announced an External Peer Review Worshop that was hosted on Jan 16, 2008 in a [Federal Register Nov 29, 2007].
November 29, 2007
NCEA supports an active postdoctoral program providing federal research experience to up-and-coming environmental scientists. The Center currently supports a variety of postdoctoral professionals and seeks applications for this latest position. Appointments are for 3 years and include a full package of benefits.
November 16, 2007
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review of 1,2,3-Trichloropropane in the [Federal Register Nov 16, 2007]. 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.
October 04, 2007
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft document,"An Exploratory Study: Assessment of Modeled Dioxin Exposure in Ceramic Art Studios (External Review Draft)" , as announced in the [Federal Register Oct 4, 2007]. In addition EPA will convene an independent panel of experts and organize and conduct an external peer-review workshop to review the external review draft. The deadline for comments is November 18, 2007.
September 28, 2007
The release of this final human health assessment is part of EPA's continuing efforts to provide quality human health risk information that has been subjected to an open and rigorous independent peer review process. This document will provide science-based human health assessment information to support Agency regulatory activities. In addition, other government and private entities use this information to help characterize public health risks of chemical substances in a site-specific situation and thereby support risk management decisions designed to protect public health.
September 28, 2007
EPA annouces that NCEA's BMDS website has been updated to add the new, beta-test BMDS 2.0. BMDS 2.0 employs a new, markedly improved user interface and has enhanced batch processing capabilities. BMDS 2.0 includes the same models available in BMDS 1.4.1, and adds new models which satisfy a 2007 APM. The new models include a Hill model for dichotomous responses, which allows an asymptote at less than 100% response rate, and new versions of the familiar quantal models which implement alternative background terms (background additive to dose). The website also includes external review documents for the new models with additive background.
September 28, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of CADDIS 2007 which increases access to relevant information useful for causal analysis and provides methods and tools that practitioners can use to analyze their own data. The new Candidate Cause section provides overviews of commonly encountered causes of impairments to aquatic systems: metals, sediments, nutrients, flow alteration, temperature, ionic strength, and low dissolved oxygen. CADDIS includes new Conceptual Models that illustrate the relationships from sources to stressors to biological effects. An Interactive Conceptual Model for phosphorus links the diagram with supporting literature citations. The new Analyzing Data section helps practitioners analyze their data sets and interpret and use those results as evidence within the USEPA causal assessment process. Downloadable tools include a graphical user interface statistical package (CADStat), and programs for use with the freeware R statistical package, and a Microsoft Excel template. These tools can be used to quantify associations between causes and biological impairments using innovative methods such as species-sensitivity distributions, biological inferences, conditional probability analysis, and quantile regression analysis. New Databases have been added that provide stressor-response associations based on laboratory toxicity tests of metals and field observational data. This was announced in the [Federal Register Oct 4, 2007].
September 28, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the draft document, Integrated Science Assessment for Sulfur Oxides - Health Criteria and the Annexes (First External Review Draft) for public review and comment as described in the [Federal Register Sep 28, 2007]. The deadline for submitting comments is November 30, 2007.
September 27, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of three documents from the external review of BMDS 2.0 with New Quantal Models. The documents include the consolidated comments from the reviewers, the disposition of comments and the draft development and testing report. BMDS 2.0 Beta will be posted to the site shortly.
September 27, 2007
EPA is announcing the completion of the final report, Dermal Exposure Assessment: A Summary of EPA Approaches and its availability to the public. This final report presents a concise description and evaluation of the approaches used in the Agency for dermal exposure assessment including a discussion about harmonization and research needs in this area. The report is intended to be used by EPA program offices in their efforts to refine and revise the methods they use to assess dermal exposure to chemicals in the environment and to facilitate cooperation in the development of new methods, models and guidance for dermal exposure assessment.
September 19, 2007
EPA announces they will hold a public meeting of the Adaptation for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources Advisory Committee (ACSERAC) on Oct 22-23, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland, by a [Federal Register Sep 17, 2007].
September 19, 2007
EPA announces they will hold a public meeting of the Human Impacts of
Climate Change Federal Advisory Committee (HICCAC) on Oct 15-16, 2007 in Alexandria, Virginia, by a [Federal Register Sep 17, 2007].
September 13, 2007
EPA is preparing an Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) as part of the review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Carbon Monoxide (CO). This is intended to update and revise, where appropriate, the scientific assessment presented in the Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide (EPA 600/P-99/001F), published in June 2000. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for the review of the CO NAAQS by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. This was announced in a [Federal Register Sep 13, 2007].
September 05, 2007
EPA announced a peer-review workshop for the external review draft of the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook in a [Federal Register Sep 9, 2007]. The workshop will occur on September 19-20, 2007.
August 30, 2007
EPA is announcing that the First External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen - Health Criteria has been made available for independent peer review and public review in an [Federal Register Aug 30, 2007]. This draft ISA document represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding whether the current standard for NO2 sufficiently protects public health.
August 21, 2007
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period on the document, Preliminary review of adaptation options for climate-sensitive ecosystems and resources (External Review Draft) in an August 21, 2007 Federal Register Notice. The notice has been posted by NOAA/ Department of Commerce on behalf of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The document will be available from the CCSP website with instructions for making comments.
August 20, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the Toxicological Review of Tetrahydrofuran and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in an [Federal Register Aug 20, 2007]. 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.
August 13, 2007
EPA announces the release of the final document, Climate Change and Interacting Stressors: Implications for Coral Reef Management in American Samoa, which provides a synthesis of information on the interactive effects of climate change and other stressors on the reefs of American Samoa as well as an assessment of potential management responses. The purpose of the report is to provide the coral reef managers of American Samoa, as well as other coral reef managers in the Pacific region, with some management options to help enhance the capacity of local coral reefs to resist the negative effects of climate change.
August 10, 2007
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Effects of Climate Change on Aquatic Invasive Species and Implications for Management and Research (External Review Draft) in the [Federal Register Aug 10, 2007]. This document is provided for a 30-day public viewing and comment period. Public comments received on the document before Sept 10th will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. Any comments not received within the requested time period, may not be considered by EPA in the final report.
August 10, 2007
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Climate Change Effects on Stream and River Biological Indicators: A Preliminary Analysis (External Review Draft) in the [Federal Register Aug 10, 2007]. This document is provided for a 30-day public viewing and comment period. Public comments received on the document before Sept 10th will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. Any comments not received within the requested time period, may not be considered by EPA in the final report.
August 10, 2007
EPA announces the release of the draft document, Climate and Land Use Change Effects on Ecological Resources in Three Watersheds: A Synthesis Report (External Review Draft) in the [Federal Register Aug 10, 2007]. This document is provided for a 30-day public viewing and comment period. Public comments received on the document before Sept 10th will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. Any comments not received within the requested time period, may not be considered by EPA in the final report.
August 03, 2007
On May 15, 2007, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of Nitrobenzene (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
July 31, 2007
The genesis for this workshop was the recognition that it is difficult to quantify the uncertainty surrounding microbial risks for sensitive groups, populations and lifestages.
July 31, 2007
The release of this final human health assessment is part of EPA's continuing efforts to provide quality human health risk information that has been subjected to an open and rigorous independent peer review process.
This document will provide science-based human health assessment information to support Agency regulatory activities. In addition, other government and private entities use this information to help characterize public health risks of chemical substances in a site-specific situation and thereby support risk management decisions designed to protect public health.
July 20, 2007
EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period on the document, Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems in a July 20, 2007 Federal Register Notice. The notice has been posted by NOAA/ Department of Commerce on behalf of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The document will be available from the CCSP website with instructions for making comments.
July 12, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the final workshop report, Summary Report of a Peer Involvement Workshop on the Development of an Exposure Factors Handbook for the Aging. This report provides an overview of a meeting held February 14-15, 2007 which was organized to discuss factors affecting exposures of older adults to environmental chemicals, as well as issues related to the development of an exposure factors handbook for the aging.
June 20, 2007
The EPA is announcing that a workshop entitled Oxides of
Nitrogen and Sulfur (NOX/SOX) Secondary National
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) Workshop is being organized by
EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), Office of
Research and Development and EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards (OAQPS), Office of Air and Radiation. The workshop will be
held on July 17, 18 and 19, 2007 in Research Triangle Park, North
Carolina. The workshop will be open to attendance by interested public
observers on a first-come, first-served basis up to the limits of available space.
June 20, 2007
NCEA is announcing two upcoming PM workshops. These workshops will be held in Research Triangle Park, NC, from July 11-13, 2007 and July 16, 2007, respectively. The workshops will focus on initiating the next review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The workshops will provide an opportunity for external experts as well as EPA staff to highlight significant new and emerging research, and to make individual recommendations to the Agency regarding the design and scope of the reviews for the three criteria pollutants to ensure they address key policy-relevant issues and consider the new science relevant to informing our understanding of these issues. The first workshop is being held to inform the review of the primary NAAQS (health-based) while the second workshop is focused on information for the secondary NAAQS (environmental or welfare effects). The workshops are open to the public.
June 14, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the Toxicological Review of Bromobenzene and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in a [Federal Register Jun 14, 2007]. 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.
June 05, 2007
On April 20, 2007, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
May 17, 2007
Risk assessors will be instructed on how microarray data are collected, analyzed, and applied to risk assessment components with a focus on informing mode of action, dose-response, and interspecies extrapolation.
May 10, 2007
EPA is announcing the establishment of the Human Impacts of Climate Change Advisory Committee (HICCAC) in a [Federal Register May 10, 2007]. The purpose of this Committee is provide advice on the conduct of a study titled "Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems" to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The draft prospectus for the study is on the CCSP Web site at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-6/default.php.
May 10, 2007
EPA is announcing the establishment of the Adaptation for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources Advisory Committee (ACSERAC) in a [Federal Register May 10, 2007]. The purpose of this Committee is to provide advice on the conduct of a study titled, "Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources" to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The draft prospectus for the study is on the CCSP Web site at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-4/default.php.
May 10, 2007
EPA is announcing the start of a 45-day public comment period for the draft document titled, EPA's 2007 Report on the Environment: Science Report (ROE SR) (EPA/600/R-07/045) as described in the [Federal Register May 10, 2007]. This study is an analysis based on data derived from the latest and most reliable indicators to help understand critical trends in the environment and human health.
April 23, 2007
EPA is hosting the 2007 Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference in West Chester, OH, April 23- 26, 2007 with the theme "Emerging Issues and Challenges in Risk Assessment." Registration (for the conference and hotel), directions and a draft agenda are now available.
April 19, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Analysis of Total Food Intake and Composition of Individual's Diet Based on USDA's 1994-1996, 98 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) (Final). This study is an analysis based on data derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) to characterize the consumption of food by the people of the United States.
April 19, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, Analysis of Fat Intake Based on USDA's 1994-1996, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) (Final). This study is an analysis based on data derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 1994-96, 1998 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) and EPA's Food Commodity Intake Database (FCID).
April 13, 2007
On February 28, 2007, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the Toxicological Review of 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane (External Review Draft). Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
April 05, 2007
EPA is announcing the release of the final report, "Pilot Survey of Levels of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins, Polychlorinated Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Mercury in Rural Soils of the United States." This study is a compilation of the measurements of levels of dioxins, PCBs and mercury in soil samples from numerous rural locations across the country.
April 04, 2007
On February 22, 2007, an external peer review panel workshop was hosted by an independent contractor on the PBDE Documents [tetraBDE (BDE-47), pentaBDE (BDE-99), hexaBDE (BDE-153), and decaBDE (BDE-209)]. Completing this review, a final report of the comments from the workshop were collected and are now available.
March 29, 2007
Publication: A Screening Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Costs of Implementing Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits at Publicly-Owned Treatment Works (POTWS) in the Great Lakes Region (External Review Draft)
EPA is announcing the start of a 30-day public comment period for the draft document titled, "A Screening Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on the Costs of Implementing Water Quality-Based Effluent Limits at Publicly-Owned Treatment Works in the Great Lakes Region" (EPA/600/R-07/034A) as described in the [Federal Register Mar 29, 2007].
March 29, 2007
EPA is announcing the start of a 30-day public comment period for the draft document titled, "A Screening Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Mitigation in the Great Lakes and New England Regions" (EPA/600/R-07/033A) as described in the [Federal Register Mar 29, 2007].
March 29, 2007
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review of Nitrobenzene and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register Mar 29, 2007]. This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period (next 45 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.
March 23, 2007
EPA is announcing the public review of the CADDIS On-line application. Recent improvements are available on a development site at http://caddis.tetratech-ffx.com as part of an external peer review. Access the site using the username/password "public/public". Please submit all comments into the Regulations.gov web site at http://www.regulations.gov, search for the keyword, Docket ID No. "EPA-HQ-ORD-2005-0001 " as described in the [Federal Register Mar 23, 2007].
March 08, 2007
EPA's Risk Assessment Forum Staff recently released the final document, Framework for Metals Risk Assessment, announced in a Press Release on March 8, 2007, outlines key principles about metals and describes how they should be considered in conducting human health and ecological risk assessments. The Framework seeks to advance our understanding of the impact of metals in a consistent manner across the Agency's programs since inorganic metals and metal compounds present unique issues for risk assessors.
March 02, 2007
EPA announces the Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) recently completed an external review draft of the document titled, "Evaluating Ecological Risk to Invertebrate Receptors from PAHs in Sediments at Hazardous Waste Sites". This document, announced by a [Federal Register Mar 2, 2007], provides an overview of an approach for assessing risk to invertebrate receptors resulting from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (PAHs) in contaminated sediments.
February 27, 2007
EPA is announcing the latest update to the Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS) tool which is used to facilitate the application of benchmark dose (BMD) methods to EPA hazardous pollutant risk assessments. This latest version (1.4) contains seventeen (17) different models that are appropriate for the analysis of dichotomous (quantal) data (Gamma, Logistic, Log-Logistic, Multistage, Probit, Log-Probit, Quantal-Linear, Quantal-Quadratic, Weibull and Multistage-Cancer), continuous data (Linear, Polynomial, Power, and Hill) and nested developmental toxicology data (NLogistic, NCTR, and Rai & Van Ryzin).
February 27, 2007
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review of 1,1,1-Trichloroethane and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register Feb 27, 2007]. This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within the external review period (next 45 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.
February 26, 2007
EPA is hosting an external peer review panel meeting on February 28, 2007 to review the draft document titled, Toxicological Review of 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (NCEA-S-2202), related to the human health assessment for 2,2,4-trimethylpentane. Following the External Peer Review, the final assessment will be posted in the IRIS database.
February 26, 2007
EPA announces a workshop that will be held on February 26-28 on the Assessment of Health Science for the Review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for Nitrogen (NOX) and Sulfur Oxides (SOX). Find out more in the [Federal Register Feb 9, 2007].
February 08, 2007
EPA announces the release of the report Relationships Among Exceedances of Chemical Criteria or Guidelines, the Results of Ambient Toxicity Tests, and Community Metrics in Aquatic Ecosystems, which presents two studies where the three general approaches for the ecological assessment of contaminant exposure and effects in surface waters or sediments were applied to stream sites sampled in the Southern Rockies ecoregion of Colorado and to estuarine sites sampled in the Virginian Estuarine Province of the Atlantic coast.
February 02, 2007
The RAF is pleased to announce two 1-day classes on the introduction to Genomics. The course has 3 sessions which are listed in more detail in the attached agenda.
January 24, 2007
EPA is announcing the start of a 30-day public comment period for the draft document titled, "Metabolically-Derived Human Ventilation Rates: A Revised Approach Based Upon Oxygen Consumption Rates" (EPA/600/R-06/129A) as described in the [Federal Register Jan 24, 2007].
January 22, 2007
EPA is announcing a re-opening of the public comment period for the draft document titled, Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (EPA/600/R-06/096A) as described in the [Federal Register Jan 22, 2006]. The original 60-day public comment period was announced in the Federal Register on October 6, 2006. In response to requests to extend the comment period, EPA has re-opened the comment period for an additional 30 days. The re-opening comment period will end on February 21, 2007.
January 17, 2007
EPA is announcing the external review of the CADDIS On-line application's new additions. Upcoming improvements are available on a development site at http://caddis.tetratech-ffx.com. Please submit all comments into the Regulations.gov web site at http:www.regulations.gov, search for the keyword, Docket ID No. "EPA-HQ-ORD-2005-0001 " as described in the [Federal Register Jan 17, 2007].
December 29, 2006
EPA announces the release of the Toxicological Review for 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane and notice of the External Peer Review Panel Meeting in the [Federal Register Dec 29, 2006]. This draft assessment is provided for public viewing and comment. Public comments received on the Toxicological Review within 45 days after the release of the FRN will be provided to the external peer reviewers for their consideration. Any comments not received within the requested time period will be considered by EPA in their revisions.
December 29, 2006
EPA announced the release of the external review draft entitled: "A Review of the Impact of Climate Variability and Change on Aeroallergens and their Associated Effects" in a [Federal Register Dec 29, 2006].
December 28, 2006
EPA is establishing an advisory committee for the Human Impacts of Climate Change Advisory Committee (HICCAC). The purpose of this Committee is to provide advice on the conduct of a study titled "Analyses of the effects of global change on human health and welfare and human systems" to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The draft prospectus for the study is on the CCSP Web site at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-6/sap4-6prospectus-final.htm.
December 28, 2006
EPA is establishing an advisory committee for the Adaptation for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources Advisory Committee (ACSERAC). The purpose of this Committee is to provide advice on the conduct of a study titled "Preliminary Review of Adaptation Options for Climate-Sensitive Ecosystems and Resources" to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The draft prospectus for the study is on the CCSP web site at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-4/sap4-4prospectus-final.htm.
December 22, 2006
EPA is soliciting public nominations for chemical substances for its 2007 agenda. EPA invites the public to submit nominations for substances to be considered for an assessment or reassessment in its IRIS Program. The Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) database that contains EPA's scientific positions on human health effects that may result from exposure to chemical substances in the environment. For more information about IRIS, visit http://epa.gov/iris
December 22, 2006
EPA's IRIS Program is announcing that an external peer review panel meeting to review the draft documents entitled, "Toxicological Review of TetraBDE (BDE-47): In Support of Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (NCEA-S-2537); "Toxicological Review of PentaBDE (BDE-99): In Support of Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (NCEA-S-2538); "Toxicological Review of HexaBDE (BDE-153): In Support of Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (NCEA-S-2539); and "Toxicological Review of DecaBDE (BDE-209): In Support of Summary Information in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (NCEA-S-2540) as announced in the [Federal Register Dec 22, 2006]
December 20, 2006
EPA includes the final report from the 2006 external peer review of the IRIS Assessment of 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (inhalation cancer assessment and RfC), prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), for the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). A panel of external peer reviewers met on November 3, 2006 to discuss their responses to the charge questions. This final document contains the written comments of the external peer reviewers.
December 01, 2006
EPA announces the release of the final report, "An inventory of sources and environmental releases of dioxin-like compounds in the United States for the years 1987, 1995 and 2000." This is a comprehensive evaluation of sources and emissions of dioxins (CDDs), dibenzofurans (CDFs) and coplanar PCBs to the air, land and water of the United States.
November 22, 2006
EPA announces a workshop that will be held on December 13-14 on the Interpretation of Epidemiologic Studies of Multipollutant Exposure and Health Effects find out more in the [Federal Register Nov 22, 2006].
November 20, 2006
The National Center for Environmental Assessment has prepared the Toxicological Reviews of Cyanobacterial Toxins: Anatoxin-a, Cylindrospermopsin and Microcystins (LR, RR, YR and LA) as a series of dose-response assessments to support the health assessment of unregulated contaminants on the CCL. The purpose of these documents is to compile and evaluate the available data regarding toxicity of these toxins to aid the Office of Water in regulatory decision making. Find out more about these external peer reviews in the [Federal Register Nov 20, 2006].
November 13, 2006
The Society for Risk Assessment (SRA) conference is an important annual meeting for researchers, risk assessors, and risk managers. Several EPA papers and sessions will be presented that directly address risk issues under consideration in the Agency. NCEA will be overseaing an ORD booth/table at the meeting to answer questions and provide information.
The conference is scheduled for December 3-6, 2006 in Baltimore Maryland.
November 02, 2006
EPA announces the release of the final report, Exposures and Internal Doses of Trihalomethanes(THMs) in Humans: Multi-Route Contributions from Drinking Water, which presents the results of an analysis in which multiple data sets and physiologically based pharmacokinetic models (PKPBs) were combined to estimate the oral, dermal and inhalation route-specific contributions to internal doses of THMs, which are drinking water disinfection byproducts.
October 20, 2006
EPA is announcing the release of the final document, Classification of High Spatial Resolution, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Imagery of the Little Miami River Watershed in Southwest Ohio, USA .
October 19, 2006
EPA Announces several new recruitments in the fields of ecology, biology and physical science. The deadline for these positions is November 8, 2006.
October 16, 2006
EPA is announcing that on October 26-27, 2006 a peer-review workshop will be held, as explained in the [Federal Register Oct 16, 2006], to review the draft document, Approaches to Estimating the Waterborne Disease Outbreak Burden in the United States: Uses and Limitations of the Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System (External Review Draft).
October 13, 2006
EPA has released a final report entitled, A Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children, as announced in the [Federal Register Oct 13, 2006]. This Framework examines the impact of potential exposures during developmental lifestages and subsequent lifestages, while emphasizing the iterative nature of the analysis phase with a multidisciplinary team.
October 12, 2006
EPA is announcing the extension of an the public comment period for the review of the draft document, Evaluation of the Carcinogenicity of Ethylene Oxide), as announced in an [Federal Register Oct 12, 2006].
October 12, 2006
EPA is announcing the extension of an the public comment period for the review of the draft document,Toxicological Review of Dichlorobenzenes: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), as announced in an [Federal Register Oct 12, 2006].
October 11, 2006
Innovative strategies to conserve the world's coral reefs are included in a new guide released today by NOAA, and the Australian Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, with author contributions from a variety of international partners from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. Dr. Jordan West, of the National Center for Environmental Assessment, was a major contributor to the guide. Referred to as "A Reef Manager's Guide to Coral Bleaching" , the guide will provide coral reef managers with the latest scientific information on the causes of coral bleaching and new management strategies for responding to this significant threat to coral reef ecosystems.
October 06, 2006
EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the external review draft document titled, Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook (EPA/600/R-06/096A) as announced in a [Federal Register Oct 6, 2006]. This draft is an update of the Child-Specific Exposure Factors 2002 Interim Handbook .
October 04, 2006
NCEA announces three new project descriptions for Post-Doctoral vacancy opportunities. The candidate will need to ensure they can fulfill these project description to qualify for the position(s). The filing deadline is November 3, 2006.
September 29, 2006
EPA announces the availability of EPA's final document, Air Quality Criteria for Lead, as described in a [Federal Register Sep 29, 2006].
September 29, 2006
EPA Scientists have developed a collection of research and guidance on drinking water chemical mixtures to aid the public and scientific community with locating reports, journal publications and information sources on this topic. Health effects and risk assessment information is made available for drinking water chemical mixtures, e.g., pesticides, pharmaceuticals, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and disinfection by-products.
September 22, 2006
EPA is releasing a final report describing the evaluation and applications of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models in health risk assessment. This was announced in the [Federal Register Sep 22, 2006].
September 22, 2006
EPA is releasing a draft document describing the assessment of the carcinogenicity of ethylene oxide. The release of this document is for the purpose of seeking public comment on the draft assessment and for peer review by EPA's Science Advisory Board. Please see the [Federal Register Sep 22, 2006] for more details about commenting on this document.
September 15, 2006
EPA is announcing a 30-day public comment period for review and comment on the draft document, Approaches to Estimating the Waterborne Disease Outbreak Burden in the United States: Uses and Limitations of the Waterborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System(EPA/600/R-06/069). More information on the comment process can be found in the [Federal Register Sep 15, 2006]. Technical comments should be in writing and must be received by EPA by 10/16/06.
August 18, 2006
This document is the final report from the 2006 external peer review for the IRIS Reassessment of Dibutyl Phthalate, prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), for the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). A panel of external peer reviewers met to discuss their responses to the charge questions on July 28, 2006. This document contains the final written comments of the external peer reviewers.
August 11, 2006
EPA's IRIS Program is announcing that an extension of the public comment period and rescheduling of the external peer review panel teleconference to review the draft document entitled, "Toxicological Review of Dichlorobenzene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (EPA/635/R-03/015), was published in the August 11, 2006 Federal Register [FDMS Docket ID: EPA-HQ-ORD-2004-0002].
August 08, 2006
EPA has released a final report entitled, Aging and Toxic Response: Issues Relevant to Risk Assessment. This document contributes to the Agency's efforts to better understand the physiology of aging in order to protect the health of older persons, and identifies several data gaps and research needs that may inform the Office of Research and Development's Research Initiative on Aging in conducting research for better characterize risk to the elderly population from exposure to environmental agents.
August 02, 2006
Publication: U.S. Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product Prospectuses (Final)
As a partner Agency in the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), EPA announces the release of two Final Prospectuses [Products 4.4 & 4.6] including the public comments for each of the drafts.
July 31, 2006
EPA is announcing the availability of two revised chapters from the document, Air Quality Criteria For Lead (Second External Review Draft), for public review and comment in a [Federal Register Jul 31, 2006]. The revised Executive Summary and Integrative Sythesis Chapters are now available at the link above.
July 25, 2006
EPA is releasing an independent external peer review report on the Draft Framework for Assessing Health Risk of Environmental Exposures to Children. EPA is revising the current draft framework in light of the constructive peer review and public comments received and anticipates finalizing the document within the next 2 months.
July 20, 2006
A provisional assessment on new Particulate Matter (PM) science was provided to EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. This document presents the findings of EPA's survey and provisional assessment of studies relevant to assessing the health effects of PM that were published too recently to be included in the 2004 PM Air Quality Criteria Document. The public availability of this document was announced in a [Federal Register Jul 21, 2006].
July 11, 2006
EPA's IRIS Program is announcing that an external peer review panel teleconference to review the draft document entitled, Toxicological Review of Dichlorobenzene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) (EPA/635/R-03/015) was published in the [Federal Register Jul 11, 2006], [FDMS Docket ID: EPA-HQ-ORD-2004-0002].
July 07, 2006
Several NCEA Scientists will be presenting at this years Society For Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting, scheduled for December 3-6, 2005 in Baltimore, MD. The theme this year will be "Risk Analysis in a Dynamic World: Making a Difference."
Agenda links and more information are available.
Agenda links and more information are available.
July 07, 2006
NCEA's 2006 Science Forum Posters: On May 16-18, 2006, EPA held its 5th annual Science Forum in Washington, DC. The 2006 Forum featured the collaborative efforts of the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention (CDC), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
The theme that 40 NCEA science posters presented at this year's Forum pertain to was called "your health, your environment, your future." Now the posters are available from the Science Forum site or by clicking the link above.
The theme that 40 NCEA science posters presented at this year's Forum pertain to was called "your health, your environment, your future." Now the posters are available from the Science Forum site or by clicking the link above.
June 27, 2006
EPA's IRIS Program is announcing that an external peer review panel meeting to review the draft document entitled, "Toxicological Review of Dibutyl Phthalate (Di-n-Butyl Phthalate): In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (NCEA-S-1755) was published in the [Federal Register Jun 27, 2006], [FDMS Docket ID: EPA-HQ-ORD-2006-0500].
June 12, 2006
As a partner Agency in the U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), EPA is announcing the release of two draft prospectuses for public review and comment which EPA is developing under the auspices of the CCSP. The [Federal Register Jun 12, 2006], announcing the thirty day public comment period, was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), another partner agency in the CCSP.
June 08, 2006
EPA announced the release of the EPA document, Estimation and Application of Macroinvertebrate Tolerance Values, which is a technical review of statistical methods for estimating macroinvertebrate tolerance values from field data. It also reviews different methods for applying tolerance values for assessing biological conditions of streams and rivers and for diagnosing the causes of impairment. The purpose of this document is to provide a technical resource for states, tribes, and regions that wish to use tolerance values to interpret stream biological data.
June 08, 2006
The Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) recently completed an external review draft of the document titled, Estimation of Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) from Paired Observations of Chemical Concentrations in Biota and Sediment. BSAF is a parameter describing bioaccumulation of sediment-associated organic compounds or metals into tissues of ecological receptors. The draft provides information on methodologies to estimate BSAF for nonionic organic chemicals. This was announced in the [Federal Register Jun 8, 2006].
May 31, 2006
EPA is announcing the availability the draft document, Air Quality Criteria for Lead (Second External Review Draft), for public review and comment in a [Federal Register May 19, 2006]. At this time all draft chapters are now available for review.
May 26, 2006
EPA announces the availability of three Final Documents and two External Review Drafts.
May 25, 2006
EPA is announcing that on June 6-7, 2006 a peer-review work will be held as explained in a [Federal Register May 24, 2006].
May 23, 2006
EPA is announcing that on June 14th a peer-review teleconference will occur to review "Harmonization in Interspecies Extrapolation: Use of BW 3/4 as Default Method in Derivation of the Oral RfD (External Review Draft)" as explained in the [Federal Register May 23, 2006].
May 23, 2006
The Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) recently completed an external review draft of the document titled, "Application of Equilibrium Partitioning Theory to Soil PAH Contamination". It addresses the issue of whether equilibrium partitioning techniques can be used to predict the toxicity of PAH mixtures in soil. This was announced in the [Federal Register May 23rd].
May 19, 2006
EPA's announcement of the IRIS 2006 program agenda, with a corrected list of chemical substances, and request for scientific information on human health effects that may result from exposure to chemical substances was published in the [Federal Register May 19, 2006 ].
May 19, 2006
EPA is announcing the availability of it's second external review draft of the document, Air Quality Criteria for Lead, for public review and comment in a [Federal Register May 19, 2006]. At this time. all draft chapters are available for review except for the draft Chapter 7: Integrative Synthesis and the Executive Summary. These chapters will be made available as soon as possible, but no later than Wednesday, May 31,2006.
[Update 5/31] Executive Summary and Chapter 7 have been added to the list of downloads.
[Update 5/31] Executive Summary and Chapter 7 have been added to the list of downloads.
May 18, 2006
An independent external peer review meeting on EPA's draft report, 'Framework for Assessing Health Risks of Environmental Exposures to Children', will be hosted by ERG Corportation at the Hyatt Regency Washington Hotel in Washington, DC. Anyone interested in attending this external peer review workshop, should register at https://www2.ergweb.com/projects/conferences/ncea/childhra.htm before May 31, 2006. Register early as seating will be limited.
May 17, 2006
EPA's Ecological Risk Assessment Support Center (ERASC) recently completed the final document, "Assessing Risks to Populations at Superfund and RCRA Sites: Characterizing Effects on Populations". This document supports performance and interpretation of population-level risk assessments conducted at Superfund and RCRA sites by providing information on issues relevant to characterizing effects on ecological populations.
May 17, 2006
NCEA is announcing the following 2 high-level career opportunities: a BioStatistician and a Microbial Risk Assessor.
May 16, 2006
Air Quality Criteria for Sulfur Oxides (SOx) - Call for Comments
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undertaking to update and revise, where appropriate, the air quality criteria for sulfur oxides (SOx), last addressed in EPA/600/FP-93/002, 'Supplement to the Second Addendum (1986) to Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter and Sulfur Oxides (1982): Assessment of New Findings on Sulfur Dioxide Acute Exposure Health Effects in Asthmatic Individuals', published in August 1994 by the Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for updating the Air Quality Criteria for Sulfur Oxides (SOx) by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. This was announced in a May 15, 2006 Federal Register Notice.
May 11, 2006
NCEA announces a new project description for the following vacancy opportunity. The candidate will need to ensure they can fulfill this project description to qualify for the position. The filing deadline is May 22, 2006.
May 04, 2006
NCEA is announcing an upcoming workshop to review the document titled, Considerations for Developing Alternative Health Risk Assessment Approaches for Addressing Multiple Chemicals, Exposures and Effects; External Review Draft, will occur on May 25 and 26.
May 01, 2006
NCEA is recruiting for a Microbial Risk Assessor to assist with developing and implementing ORD's research agenda for microbial risk assessment, particularly (1) characterizing environmental exposures of humans to pathogenic microorganisms, (2) characterizing infectivity, virulence, and transmissibility of environmental microbial agents, and (3) characterizing both individual and population susceptibility to diseases caused by environmental microorganisms.
April 07, 2006
EPA is releasing a final report that describes and demonstrates techniques necessary to extrapolate and incorporate in vitro derived metabolic rate constants in PBPK models. The report includes two case study examples designed to demonstrate the applicability of such data for health risk assessment.
March 31, 2006
EPA announced the release of the EPA document, Considerations for Developing Alternative Health Risk Assessment Approaches for Addressing Multiple Chemicals, Exposures and Effect (External Review Draft), in the [Federal Register Mar 31, 2006].
March 23, 2006
EPA announces the release of the summary of the NCEA Colloquium on Current Use and Future Needs of Genomics in Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment (Final Report). This summary report captures the scientific discussion at a May 8, 2003 colloquium, held in Alexandria Virginia, which brought together EPA risk assessors, scientists, and managers who developed genomics techniques to discuss the potential use of genomics data in risk assessments.
March 21, 2006
EPA announces the availability of EPA's final document, Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Other Photochemical Oxidants, as described in a [Federal Register Feb 28, 2006].
March 15, 2006
EPA announces the draft document, Framework for Assessing Health Risks of Environmental Exposures to Children Document (2006) in a [Federal Register Mar 14, 2006].
February 24, 2006
Peer Review Comments: Indicators for the 2007 Draft Report on the Environment (ROE)
EPA announces the latest update on the Indicators for the U.S. EPA's 2007 Report on the Environment (ROE) Technical Document. Originally, the indicators were released in draft in 2005 for both an independent external peer review and a public review and comment period. The ROE-TD Web site contains the peer review comments, EPA's response to the comments, and the revised indicators.
February 24, 2006
EPA's announcement of IRIS 2006 program agenda and request for scientific information on human health effects that may result from exposure to chemical substances was published in the [Federal Register Feb 23, 2006].
February 15, 2006
EPA is announcing a 60-day public comment period for the draft document titled, Harmonization in Interspecies Extrapolation: Use of BW3/4 as Default Method in Derivation of the Oral RfD (EPA/630/R-06/001), which was prepared by the EPAs Risk Assessment Forum (Forum).
Comments on this document ( BW3/4 ) may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select 'Environmental Protection Agency' and the keyword 'ORD-2006-0116' (for the docket ID). Full details on the comment period can be found in the [Federal Register Feb15, 2006].
Comments on this document ( BW3/4 ) may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select 'Environmental Protection Agency' and the keyword 'ORD-2006-0116' (for the docket ID). Full details on the comment period can be found in the [Federal Register Feb15, 2006].
February 08, 2006
EPA announces the final document, Guidance on Selecting Groups for Monitoring and Assessing Childhood Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (2005) in a [Federal Register Feb 9, 2006].
February 01, 2006
The Summary of Phosgene has been revised and an updated Toxicological Review has been added to the IRIS Web Site.
January 23, 2006
EPA announced the final release of the CADDIS I - Casual Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System. CADDIS is an on-line decision support system that helps investigators in the regions, states and tribes find, access, organize, use and share information to produce causal evaluations in aquatic systems.
January 18, 2006
The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) seeks immediate applications for several post-doctoral research positions. The deadline for applications is March 20, 2006.
January 17, 2006
EPA is releasing a summary report on a soil ingestion rate and mouthing behavior colloquium that was held on May 24-25, 2005. The report summarizes the discussions held during the colloquium and contains copies of the presentations from the event. This work was done as part of the Exposure Factors Program.
December 23, 2005
The Summary of n-Hexane has been revised and an updated Toxicological Review has been added to the IRIS Web site at http://www.epa.gov/iris
December 09, 2005
Air Quality Criteria for Oxides of Nitrogen - Call for Comments
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is undertaking to update and revise, where appropriate, the Air Quality Criteria for Oxides of Nitrogen, EPA/600/8-91/049aF-cF, published in August 1993 by the Office of Research and Development, National Center for
Environmental Assessment. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for updating the Air Quality Criteria for Oxides of Nitrogen by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. This was announced in a December 9, 2005 Federal Register Notice.
Environmental Assessment. Interested parties are invited to assist the EPA in developing and refining the scientific information base for updating the Air Quality Criteria for Oxides of Nitrogen by submitting research studies that have been published, accepted for publication, or presented at a public scientific meeting. This was announced in a December 9, 2005 Federal Register Notice.
December 01, 2005
EPA is releasing the document, Air Quality Criteria for Lead (First External Review Draft), Volumes I & II for public comment and review by EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) in an effort to update the 1986 final version of the document. Full details can be found in the [Federal Register Dec 2, 2005].
November 30, 2005
EPA will be sending several Scientists to present at this years Society For Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting December 4-7, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. Agenda links, EPA presentation details and more information are available.
October 21, 2005
EPA has just released the following Additional Proposed Indicators for the U.S. EPA's 2007 Report on the Environment Technical Document for an independent external peer review and a 30-day public review and comment period. The public comment period ends November 21, 2005 and written comments should be sent to EPA, as indicated in the [Federal Register Oct 21, 2005 ].
October 14, 2005
EPA Announces a Scientific Peer-Review Meeting to Review the Draft Document: Approaches for the Application of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models and Supporting Data in Risk Assessment (EPA/600/R-05/043A) in the [Federal Register Oct 14, 2005].
October 14, 2005
Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board (SAB) announces a public meeting of the SAB All-Ages Lead Model Review Panel for the purpose of providing the Agency with advice and recommendations on the recently-developed All-Ages Lead Model (AALM) in the October 14, 2005 Federal Register Notice.
The public comment period has recently been extended to December 12, 2005 as described in the [Federal Register Nov 3, 2005].
The public comment period has recently been extended to December 12, 2005 as described in the [Federal Register Nov 3, 2005].
September 27, 2005
The All-Ages Lead Model (AALM) version 1.05, is an external review draft software and guidance manual. EPA is releasing this software and associated documentation for public review and comment beginning September 27, 2005, until October 27, 2005. The public comments will be accepted, as indicated in the [Federal Register Sep 27, 2005].
September 23, 2005
The Summary of Toluene has been revised and an updated Toxicological Review has been added to the IRIS Web Site.
September 08, 2005
EPA to host an external peer-review workshop to review the draft report, "The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update," March 2005 (EPA/600/P/03/002a) from September 13 - 15, 2005 as described in the (see [Federal Register Aug 12, 2005]).
September 01, 2005
EPA will be sending several NCEA Scientists to present at this years Society For Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting December 4-7, 2005 in Orlando, Florida. The agenda and some presentations are available here.
August 31, 2005
EPA is releasing the document, Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Second External Review Draft), for public comment and review by EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) in an effort to update the 1996 version of the document.
August 30, 2005
The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is recruiting for three leadership positions in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program. All of the positions are interdisciplinary (GS-401/415/601/1301-15) and are located in Washington, DC. The vacancy announcements are accessible via the Agency's EZhire Web site and USAJOBS and close on 09/16/05.
and close on 09/16/05. August 26, 2005
EPA has released a report entitled, " A Cross-Species Mode of Action Information Assessment: A Case Study of Bisphenol A." (PDF, 98pp, 2 MB, About PDF) This report describes an approach to predict chemical effects and mode of action (MOA) for animal species without data from MOA information for species with data, and a case study to demonstrate the approach.
August 26, 2005
This document is the final report for the 2005 peer consultation workshop to seek expert opinion on research needs related to the mode of action of the inhalation carcinogenicity of naphthalene. A panel of expert participants met to discuss their responses to the charge questions on April 7, 2005. This report is a summary of the main points of presentations and highlights discussions among the participants.
August 23, 2005
EPA is extending the public comment period on the external review draft document titled, "Approaches for the Application of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models and Supporting Data in Risk Assessment" (EPA/600/R-05/043A), until October 14th as stated in the updated [Federal Register Aug 22, 2005].
August 15, 2005
The IRIS Program added statements to certain existing IRIS Summaries confirming that the health effects information upon which the assessment was based is still current. This is to follow up on their February 9, 2004 FR notice (69 FR 5971) announcing the annual IRIS agenda. In that notice, EPA announced that they would use findings from a recent IRIS literature screening project (the results of which were added to IRIS in 2003) as the basis for a systematic update of the IRIS database.
August 12, 2005
EPA is announcing an external peer-review workshop to review the draft report, "The Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases of Dioxin-Like Compounds in the U.S.: the Year 2000 Update," March 2005 (EPA/600/P/03/002a) as stated in the [Federal Register Aug 12, 2005].
August 03, 2005
A revised summary for Zinc and compounds and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF, 83 pages, 519 Kb, about PDF) have been added to the IRIS Web site.
August 02, 2005
The Summary of Zinc and Compounds has been revised and an updated Toxicological Review has been added to the IRIS Web site. The oral reference dose (RfD) was based on four different human clinical studies, however, it is similar to that assessed in 1991. This assessment was conducted in response to the request from the Office of Water. Available information were inadequate for non-cancer inhalation reference concentration (RfC) and cancer assessments. EPA/635/R-05/002.
July 29, 2005
This draft report addresses the application and evaluation of PBPK models for risk assessment purposes. These models represent an important class of dosimetry models that are useful for predicting internal dose at target organs for risk assessment applications. This report is primarily meant to serve as a learning tool for EPA scientists and risk assessors who may be less familiar with the field. In addition, this report can be informative to PBPK modelers within and outside the Agency, as it provides an assessment of the types of data and models that the EPA requires for consideration of a model for use in risk assessment.
July 15, 2005
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is reviewing and, as appropriate, revising the EPA document, "Air Quality Criteria for Lead," EPA-600/8-83/028aF-dF (published in June 1986) and an associated supplement (EPA-600/8-89/049F) published in 1990. As part of this process, several workshops are planned to discuss, with invited recognized scientific experts, initial draft materials that deal with various lead-related issues being addressed in the revised "Lead Air Quality Criteria Document" (Lead AQCD) now being prepared by NCEA as described in the July 15, 2005 Federal Register Notice.
July 14, 2005
The IRIS Program has updated the IRIS Glossary by adopting the revised definitions for the reference dose (RfD) and reference concentration (RfC) to implement the recommendations of the RfD/RfC Technical Panel as provided in the report, "A Review of the Reference Dose and Reference Concentration Processes," EPA/630/P-02/002F (U.S. EPA, 2002).
July 11, 2005
A revised summary for Barium and compounds and accompanying Toxicological Review (PDF, 87p, 258Kb, About PDF) have been added to the IRIS web site. The oral reference dose (RfD) was revised in response to a Request for Correction (RFC #2293) (PDF, 77p, 307 Kb, About PDF) submitted under the Information Quality Guidelines (IQGs). The noncancer inhalation and cancer assessments were not revised.
July 08, 2005
Publication: An Evaluation Of The Human Carcinogenic Potential Of Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (EGBE)
EPA releases the position paper, "An Evaluation of the Human Carcinogenic Potential of Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether (EGBE)," developed in support of the Agency's evaluation of a petition from the American Chemistry Council requesting EPA to delist EGBE per the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), Title III, section 112(b)(1). The position paper was a key component of the Agency's recent determination to grant this petition. It will also be used in the Agency's IRIS assessment of ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE). For more information about IRIS, visit https://www.epa.gov/iris.
July 08, 2005
NCEA's 2005 Science Forum Posters: On May 16-18, 2005, EPA held its 4th annual Science Forum in Washington, DC. The 2005 EPA Science Forum - Collaborative Science for Environmental Solutions - was an opportunity to showcase EPA's scientific accomplishments, demonstrate EPA's commitment to quality science, and highlight the impact of science in EPA decision-making. An important part of the Science Forum is the presentation of posters that describe and illustrate some of these scientific accomplishments in a concise and approachable format. The 15 science posters presented by NCEA at this year's Forum are now available on the NCEA web site. Posters presented by scientists in other parts of ORD are available for viewing at...http://www.epa.gov/ord/scienceforum/2005/.
June 14, 2005
National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) seeks five (5) immediate openings for non-laboratory, postdoctoral positions which would be ideal for scientists interested in the application of toxicological, epidemiological and environmental data to support development of human health and environmental risk assessments and science policies related to risk assessment.
June 06, 2005
EPA has released for external peer review and public comment the proposed indicators that may be included in the EPA's 2006 Technical Document on the Report on the Environment. The June 6, 2005, Federal Register notice announced the availability of the proposed indicators for review and comment, the start of the 45-day public comment period, and an independent external peer review workshop to be held on July 27-29, 2005.
May 31, 2005
This document is the final report for the 2005 external peer review for the IRIS Reassessment of n-hexane, prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), for the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). A panel of external peer reviewers met to discuss their responses to the charge questions on March 30, 2005. This document contains the final written comments of the external peer reviewers.
May 06, 2005
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announces the release of the report, The Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United States (External Review Draft 2005).
May 02, 2005
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the release of the report, Predicting Toxicity to Amphipods from Sediment Chemistry.
April 27, 2005
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the release of the external review draft of the Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) on-line tool. [ More info]
March 29, 2005
On March 29, 2005 EPA issued final Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment, along with an associated document entitled Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens. Both documents are available at www.epa.gov/cancerguidelines
March 08, 2005
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing a workshop to seek expert opinion on the research needs related to the mode of action of the inhalation carcinogenicity of naphthalene. EPA will consider the comments and recommendations from the expert panel in determining a future course of action for assessing potential health risks associated with naphthalene exposure. The workshop will begin on April 7, 2005.
[Federal Register Mar 8, 2005] [FRL-7882-1].
[Federal Register Mar 8, 2005] [FRL-7882-1].
March 01, 2005
An interagency conference sponsored by Tri-Service (Air Force, Army, Navy) Toxicology; the U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Division of Toxicology; and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The conference is held with the cooperation of the National Research Council/ National Academy of Sciences.
February 24, 2005
EPA has developed four issue papers that highlight important scientific issues related to Trichloroethylene (TCE). These papers were provided to the National Academy of Science (NAS) on February 15, 2005 and now are available on-line.
February 18, 2005
A new summary for Perchlorate and Perchlorate Salts has been added to the IRIS Web site. The summary is based on "Health Implications of Perchlorate Ingestion" by the National Research Council of the National Academies (NRC, 2005).
February 11, 2005
EPA's IRIS Program is announcing that an external peer-review panel meeting to review the draft document entitled, "Toxicological Review of N-Hexane: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)" (NCEA-S-1605) was published in the [Federal Register Feb 11, 2005 [FRL-7872-2 ; E-docket No.: ORD-2005-0007]].
January 31, 2005
The first external review draft of the revised Air Quality for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (EPA 600/R-05/004aA-cA) is now being released for a 90-day public comment period and for review by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). As required by the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is reviewing and, as appropriate, revising the EPA document, Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants, EPA-600/AP-93/004aF-cF, published in 1996.
January 10, 2005
A draft of EPA's Project Work Plan for Revised Air Quality Criteria for Lead is being released for public comment. The Project Work Plan describes the managerial procedures for reviewing and, as appropriate, revising EPA Air Quality Criteria for Lead ( EPA 600/8-83/029aF-dF) and the associated supplement (EPA 600/8-89/049F).
December 20, 2004
The Framework for Inorganic Metals Risk Assessment (External Review Draft) is a cross-agency effort to develop guidance for assessing the human health and ecological risks associated with inorganic metals and metal compounds.
November 17, 2004
This document, which outlines and reviews the various types of information used in ten different watershed assessments, includes data tables that describe the data types, sources of data, data reliability, study contacts, and other information, along with the web links to access this information on the Internet.
November 10, 2004
The IRIS Chemical Assessment Tracking System is a compilation of status reports on EPA's IRIS assessments currently in progress. The Status Report for IRIS Chemical Assessments is viewable on line. This report shows the user where the chemical assessment is in its development.
October 29, 2004
EPA has completed the process of updating and revising, where appropriate, its Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter (PM) as issued in 1996 (usually referred to as the Criteria Document). Sections 108 and 109 of the Clean Air Act require that EPA carry out a periodic review and revision, where appropriate, of the air quality criteria (embodied in the Criteria Document) and national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for criteria air pollutants such as PM. The final version of the entire PM Criteria Document was issued in October 2004.
October 18, 2004
On October 15, 2004, the EPA transmitted to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) the NAS Review Draft of EPA's Exposure and Human Health Reassessment of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds, in preparation for the first meeting of the NAS panel scheduled for November 22 and 23, 2004, in Washington, DC. For detailed information on the NAS's dioxin review activity, titled "Review of EPA's Assessment of the Health Implications of Exposure to Dioxins," please visit the NAS website at http://www.nas.edu . This will bring you to a description of the project, a list of the provisional panel, and information about the upcoming meeting.
October 14, 2004
NCEA announces new opportunities in it's Cincinnati Division. Deadline for submission is Nov. 10th & 12th.
October 07, 2004
EPA hydrologist, Malcolm Field, has developed a computer program, FLOWTHRU, to facilitate the manipulation and processing of fluorescence data downloaded from a Turner Designs Model 10-AU-005 fluorometer. FLOWTHRU improves data collection by rapidly dispensing with unwanted header data, recognizing and adjusting to time-data breaks, and rewriting the data into decimal time units for processing by modeling programs such as QTRACER2. Dr. Field developed FLOWTHRU to cut down on time spent editing data(sets) and thereby improving data quality (less error) and efficiency.
September 14, 2004
NCEA has published the Example Exposure Scenarios to demonstrate how data from the Exposure Factors Handbook (U.S. EPA, 1997) may be applied for estimating exposures. The example scenarios presented here have been selected to best demonstrate the use of the various key data sets in the Exposure Factors Handbook, and represent commonly encountered exposure pathways.
September 10, 2004
This document is the final report for the 2004 external peer review for the IRIS Reassessment of the Inhalation Carcinogenicity of Naphthalene, prepared by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), for the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). A panel of external peer reviewers met to discuss their responses to the charge questions on July 30, 2004. This document contains the final written comments of the external peer reviewers.
September 03, 2004
This project is an update on a database that compiled relevant scientific literature to identify both routine and standardized biological markers as well as new and emerging biological markers that would be relevant to the National Children's Study. Citations are mostly review articles, beginning as early as 1996, and supplemented with searches of the recent primary research literature from 2001-June 2004. A new feature of the database is the capability of conducting a multiple term search within the same field. The User's Guide has been incorporated into the MS ACCESS 2000 database as part of the help function.
August 30, 2004
A revised Chapter 9 is now available for public review and comment and will be reviewed by CASAC via a publically accessible teleconference on September 20, 2004. (For information on the CASAC meeting see 69 FR 52255, August 25, 2004.) EPA will also accept written public comments on revised Chapter 9 submitted by September 30, 2004. The final version of the entire PM Criteria Document is to be issued no later than October 29, 2004.
EPA released for public review and comment revised draft Chapters 7 and 8 of the Fourth External Review Draft of EPA's document, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter on December 30, 2003. These chapters incorporate revisions made in response to earlier external review of those chapters, including comments received at the August 25 and 26, 2003, review meeting of the EPA Science Advisory Board's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). At that meeting, CASAC reached closure on all chapters except Chapter 7 (toxicology), Chapter 8 (human health), and 9 (integrative synthesis). Since then CASAC has provided additional review comments on revised drafts of Chapters 7 and 8 (dated December 2003). EPA also made further revised drafts of Chapters 7, 8, and 9 available for CASAC and public review in June 2004. These revised draft chapters were reviewed by CASAC at a public meeting held July 20-21, 2004. Closure was achieved on Chapters 7 and 8.
EPA released for public review and comment revised draft Chapters 7 and 8 of the Fourth External Review Draft of EPA's document, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter on December 30, 2003. These chapters incorporate revisions made in response to earlier external review of those chapters, including comments received at the August 25 and 26, 2003, review meeting of the EPA Science Advisory Board's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). At that meeting, CASAC reached closure on all chapters except Chapter 7 (toxicology), Chapter 8 (human health), and 9 (integrative synthesis). Since then CASAC has provided additional review comments on revised drafts of Chapters 7 and 8 (dated December 2003). EPA also made further revised drafts of Chapters 7, 8, and 9 available for CASAC and public review in June 2004. These revised draft chapters were reviewed by CASAC at a public meeting held July 20-21, 2004. Closure was achieved on Chapters 7 and 8.
August 16, 2004
The report, Final Report on the External Peer Review of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's draft document "Proposed Oral Reference Dose (RfD) for Barium and Compounds", contains the external reviewer's responses to the peer review charge and meeting notes from the meetings held June 10, 2004, and July 21, 2004.
July 07, 2004
EPA's IRIS Program is announcing that an external peer review panel meeting to review the inhalation cancer assessment and selected text in the external review draft document entitled, "Toxicological Review of Naphthalene: In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)"(NCEA-S-1707) was published in the [Federal Register Jul 7, 2004 [FRL-7783-2; E-docket No.: ORD-2004-0007]].
July 07, 2004
This preliminary draft document (Framework for Metals Risk Assessment (Framework)) will be the subject of a peer consultation workshop in July 2004. The purpose of the workshop is to prepare the document for review by the Science Advisory Board (SAB), later this year.
June 30, 2004
Symposium on the Development of Strategic Programs for Monitoring Ecological Impact from Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)
Date: August 3-5, 2004
Location: Sheraton Crystal City, VA.
Date: August 3-5, 2004
Location: Sheraton Crystal City, VA.
June 30, 2004
The report, Summary Report of the Peer Review Workshop on the Neurotoxicity of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) Discussion, summarizes the discussions at a February 25, 2004, workshop that brought together recognized scientific experts to engage in a public discussion on the neurological effects of inhalation of tetrachloroethylene, as well as a review of studies that focus on these effects.
June 28, 2004
On December 30, 2003, EPA released for public review and comment revised draft Chapters 7 and 8 of the Fourth External Review Draft of EPA's document, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter. These chapters incorporate revisions made in response to earlier external review of those chapters, including comments received at the August 25 and 26, 2003, review meeting of the EPA Science Advisory Board's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). At that meeting, CASAC reached closure on all chapters except Chapter 7 (toxicology), Chapter 8 (human health), and 9 (integrative synthesis). Since then CASAC has provided additional review comments on revised drafts of Chapters 7 and 8 (dated December 2003). EPA is now making further revised drafts of Chapters 7, 8, and 9 available for CASAC and public review. These revised draft chapters will be reviewed by CASAC at a public meeting to be held July 20-21, 2004.
June 22, 2004
The NCS Technology Report from the National Children's Study Workshop meeting (Boston MA - May '03) is now available on the NCEA Website. For more specific information about the National Children's Study website visit http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/events/workshops/index.cfm. 
June 01, 2004
NCEA's 2004 Science Forum Posters: On June 1- 3, 2004, EPA held its 3rd annual Science Forum in Washington, DC. The 2004 EPA Science Forum - Healthy Communities and Ecosystems - is an opportunity to showcase EPA's scientific accomplishments, demonstrate EPA's commitment to quality science, and highlight the impact of science in EPA decision-making. An important part of the Science Forum is the presentation of posters that describe and illustrate some of these scientific accomplishments in a concise and approachable format. The 24 science posters presented by NCEA at this year's Forum are now available on the NCEA web site. Posters presented by scientists in other parts of ORD are available for viewing at...
May 20, 2004
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing an external peer-review panel meeting for the draft document entitled, Proposed Oral Reference Dose (RfD) for Barium and Compounds (NCEA-S-1683). The document was prepared by EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) of the Office of Research and Development.
May 14, 2004
In February, 2004, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), a part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development, sponsored a two-day public symposium on recently published scientific research related to the health effects of trichloroethylene (TCE). Handouts, speaker presentations, and a transcript of the meeting are now available on the TCE Symposium website.
May 07, 2004
On May 19, 2004, a workshop will be held to provide for an external panel review of EPA's interim final position paper, "An Evaluation of the Human Carcinogenic Potential of Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether." The paper was used as part of the support for the Agency's proposed rule to delist ethylene glycol butyl ether (EGBE) from the HAP list (68 FR 65648, November 21, 2003). The purpose of this workshop is to evaluate the conclusions of EPA's position paper in light of the recent research and literature that has been submitted to the Agency in response to the Agency's proposed EGBE ruling.
April 16, 2004
The U.S. EPA is announcing a 45-day public comment period for the draft Toxicological Review and draft IRIS Summary for EPA's health assessment of phosgene. Any scientific views received on the content of the Toxicological Review or IRIS Summary prior to June 1, 2004, will be considered in subsequent drafts.
March 29, 2004
This document describes a strategy for developing the Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS). CADDIS is envisioned as a decision support system that will help investigators in EPA Regions, states, and tribes find, access, organize, and share information useful for causal evaluations in aquatic systems. It will include supporting case studies and analysis tools, and it will provide access to databases that contain information useful for causal evaluations. The system will be developed incrementally and iteratively, and frequent user input and feedback will be essential to the system's success.
March 23, 2004
The 2004 Annual Toxicology and Risk Assessment Conference, jointly sponsored by EPA, DOD, NIOSH, and ATSDR, will be held in the Cincinnati-Dayton area from April 26- 30, 2004. The theme for this year's conference is "Population Protection in a Dynamic Environment." The 2004 conference will include concurrent scientific sessions, risk assessment training courses, a poster session and a student poster competition. The conference proceedings are peer reviewed and published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. The conference is held with the cooperation of the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences and the American College of Medical Toxicology.
March 16, 2004
In December of 2002, NCEA released a public review draft of a risk assessment on impacts from inhalation of World Trade Center airborne contaminants. This assessment was titled, Exposure and Human Health Evaluation of Airborne Pollution from the World Trade Center Disaster. A public comment period between January and March of 2003 was followed by a peer review expert panel meeting in New York City on July 14 and 15, 2003. EPA has now made public a report on that peer review meeting. This report captures the main points and highlights of the meeting, including a compilation of the individual reviewers' comments, summaries of the panel discussions, and appendices which include comments and materials provided by the public during the meeting. EPA is in the process of addressing the expert comments heard at the meeting, as well as the public comments.
February 25, 2004
This document builds on existing EPA guidance and experience to provide additional guidance in assessing ecological risk. It describes a set of endpoints, known as generic ecological assessment endpoints, that can be considered and adapted for specific ecological risk assessments.
February 13, 2004
Notice of Peer Review Workshop to discuss "Neurotoxicity of Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene): Discussion Paper"
On February 12, 2004 the NCEA announced in a Federal Register notice the details of a neurotoxicity consultants meeting on the effects of tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene). The notice gives information about the time and place of the meeting as well as the registration information. This is an amendment to a previous NCEA posting that announced the availability of the background discussion paper and the charge to the consultants.
February 09, 2004
This new report discusses a program of research that investigated the integration of ecological risk assessment and economics, focused on watersheds as the scale for analysis. It presents the results of three case studies (Big Darby Creek watershed of Ohio; the upper Clinch and Powell River watersheds of Virginia and Tennessee; and the central reach of the Platte River in Nebraska) and offers a conceptual approach for the integration of ecological risk assessments and economic analysis.
February 04, 2004
Today NCEA is posting the charge which will be discussed at the expert panel meeting on neurotoxicity issues associated with exposure to tetrachlroroethylene. This charge is to be the main agenda topic for the meeting. The time and place of the meeting will be announced in a future Federal Register Notice. In addressing this charge, the panel of neurotoxicity experts will use the discussion paper, announced in the Federal Register on December 30, 2003 and posted at that time on this web site, as background material.
February 02, 2004
The U.S. 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 dichlorobenzenes. These documents are provided for public viewing during an external 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 March 1, 2004 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
January 28, 2004
The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), a part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development, is sponsoring a two-day public symposium on recently published scientific research related to the health effects of trichloroethylene (TCE). The primary purpose of this symposium is to gather information on recently published scientific research for use by EPA in assessing the human health risks of TCE. EPA wants to hear from the scientists who are at the forefront of this TCE-related research.
January 15, 2004
The U.S. 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 toluene. These documents are provided for public viewing during a second external scientific peer review period. These documents have previously undergone external peer review in August 2002. 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 February 19, 2004 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
January 07, 2004
January 06, 2004
First, exposure modeling is conducted to estimate the potential dose at the absorption barrier (e.g., gastrointestinal tract, skin, and lung) and the results are linked with physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to estimate measures of internal dose from exposure to all three routes for use in risk assessment. Second, a mixtures risk assessment method, based on additivity concepts presented in the Agency's mixtures guidance documents (U.S. EPA, 1986; 2000), is proposed to logically evaluate human health risks using total internal doses and oral toxicology dose-response data based on knowledge or assumptions regarding mode of action.
January 06, 2004
New quantitative methods for applying Relative Potency Factor (RPF) are shown addressing the important question of how to assess a mixture containing some chemicals that share a common toxic mode of action and other chemicals that do not. The biostatistical methods developed in this report provide alternative methods to evaluate a mixture under three scenarios of varying degrees of uncertainty. The simple case occurs when there is certainty that a common toxic mode of action is operating, so a dose addition approach can be applied. The second case occurs when the mixture components can be divided into independent mode of action subclasses; dose addition and response addition can be integrated to make the assessment. The third case occurs when mode of action is uncertain, so a joint dose-response modeling procedure is used to create a range of risk estimates.
December 30, 2003
On December 30, 2003, EPA released for public review and comment revised draft Chapters 7 and 8 of the Fourth External Review Draft of EPA's document, Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter. These chapters incorporate revisions made in response to earlier external review of those chapters, including comments received at the August 25 and 26, 2003, review meeting of the EPA Science Advisory Board's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). At that meeting, CASAC reached closure on all chapters except Chapter 7 (toxicology), Chapter 8 (human health), and 9 (integrative synthesis). EPA is now making revised drafts of Chapters 7 and 8 available for CASAC and public review.
December 30, 2003
Today NCEA is posting the charge which will be discussed at the expert panel meeting on neurotoxicity issues associated with exposure to tetrachlroroethylene. This charge is to be the main agenda topic for the meeting. The time and place of the meeting will be announced in a future Federal Register Notice. In addressing this charge, the panel of neurotoxicity experts will use the discussion paper, announced in the Federal Register on December 30, 2003 and posted at that time on this web site, as background material.
November 20, 2003
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 zince and compounds. 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 December 22, 2004 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
November 19, 2003
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 mirex. 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 January 15, 2004 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
November 07, 2003
EPA's 2002 draft risk assessment document, "Perchlorate Environmental Contamination: Toxicological Review and Risk Characterization (External Review Draft, January 16, 2002)" is undergoing review by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The first meeting of the NAS perchlorate review panel was held on October 27, 2003, in Washington, DC. Several pieces of information were provided to the NAS by EPA prior to the October 27th meeting and an EPA presentation was made at the meeting. This information is being made available to the public.
October 30, 2003
Some information items on the NCEA's dioxin website have been updated. The Frequently Asked Question and Information Sheet sections have been revised. Specifically, Information Sheet 3 has been revised to include the announcement that the National Academy of Sciences has been officially requested to review the EPA's Draft Dioxin Reassessment, and Information Sheet 4 and 5 have been combined and updated
October 22, 2003
EPA announces a Peer-Consultation Workshop to review and further develop draft chapters for the revised document, Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants. The last air quality criteria document (AQCD) on ozone was published in 1996. Summaries of the previous AQCD were prepared by EPA as a basis for revision and updating with relevant information on ozone that has become available in the published literature since approximately 1995. The EPA will consider comments and advice provided at the workshop in preparing the chapters for external release to the public in the Spring of 2004 and eventual publication as a final document by December 20, 2004.
- Chemistry and Physics of Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Chapter 2)
- Environmental Concentrations, Patterns, and Exposure Estimates (Chapter 3)
- Toxicological Effects of Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants in Laboratory Animals and In Vitro Test Systems (Chapter 5)
- Controlled Human Exposure Studies of Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants (Chapter 6)
September 22, 2003
This document is intended to provide guidance to EPA scientists on the appropriate age groups to consider when assessing childhood exposure and potential dose to environmental contaminants.
September 22, 2003
Five draft scientific white papers, the development of which was lead by external experts, are available for review and comment. EPA commissioned the papers to support an ongoing effort to address metals assessment issues. Topics addressed include environmental chemistry, exposure, ecological effects, human health effects, and bioavailability and bioaccumulation. The draft papers are being made available for public comment consistent with EPA's commitment to provide opportunities for external input. Science-based comments received on these papers will be made available to authors for final disposition.
August 22, 2003
EPA announces the availability of the CSFII Analysis of Food Intake Distributions. This report presents the results of NCEA's analysis of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) conducted in 1994 through 1996. This analysis provides distributions of food consumption by individuals for a variety of food items, including individual fruits, individual vegetables, dairy products, meats, as well as aggregated categories such as total fruits, total vegetables, total dairy, total meats, and total grains. Results are presented in terms of grams consumed per kilogram of body weight per day. Data are also broken out by region, urbanization, age groups, and gender. This report updates chapters 9, 11, and 12 of the 1997 Exposure Factors Handbook
July 30, 2003
This framework is intended to assist EPA scientists in assessing ecological risks from mixtures of polychlorinated dioxins (PCDDs), furans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs). EPA is accepting public comments on the draft until September 29, 2003.
July 09, 2003
The Efficient Hydrologic Tracer-test Design (EHTD) Package is a user-friendly computer tool which allows an individual to quickly and easily design a tracer test for a variety of hydrologic systems. The package includes both the user's manual and the program package which runs under Microsoft Windows. The user need only enter a relatively short input file using a minimum of measured (or estimated) field parameters and EHTD then solves for the appropriate tracer mass to release, determines when tracer breakthrough is likely to occur, and suggests a reasonable sampling frequency so that the tracer-breakthrough curve may be adequately defined
June 30, 2003
EPA is now issuing a fourth external review draft of Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter for a 60-day public comment period and for review before the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). This draft contains revisions in response to public and CASAC review comments on the April 2002 external review draft.
June 23, 2003
EPA announces the availability of the Draft Report on the Environment and the Draft Report on the Environment Technical Document. The Technical Document provides the scientific foundation for the Draft Report on the Environment and discusses in detail the indicators and data that are currently available, as well as their limitations. The Technical Document presents technical data that supplements the information in the Draft Report on the Environment. In addition, the reports highlight the information gaps and challenges that must be addressed in order to better answer the key questions in the future.
June 18, 2003
On [Federal Register Jun 18, 2003] was published announcing that on July 14 and 15, 2003, EPA will hold a peer review in New York City of the draft report, "Exposure and Human Health Evaluation of Airborne Pollution from the World Trade Center Disaster." This draft report evaluates environmental levels of various air pollutants to which the general public could potentially be exposed as a result of the collapse of the World Trade Center towers. The public is invited to observe the peer review conducted by an independent panel of scientific experts.
June 02, 2003
Online training is now available for users of the EPA's Benchmark Dose Software (BMDS) (see BMDS Training)! The course covers benchmark dose (BMD) methods, use of the BMDS software and contains quiz sections and problems. Check it out, and see if you can earn all three certificates of achievement!
May 27, 2003
The Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment is the first step in a long-term effort to develop cumulative risk assessment guidance. Building on EPA's growing experience with cumulative risk assessment, the Framework is intended to foster consistent approaches to cumulative risk assessment in EPA.
May 23, 2003
Version 1.3.2 of BMDS is now available (see BMDS Download Page)! Version 1.3.2 contains revised polynomial (poly.exe) and nested logistic (nlogist.exe) models that are compatible with Windows 2000.
May 02, 2003
This Handbook provides descriptive background information and general guidance on how to access and use data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). This is an enormous human database that can be used to develop information suitable for use in risk assessments, and to support regulatory and policy needs of EPA.
April 23, 2003
In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, EPA researchers report that higher blood lead concentrations are associated with delayed puberty in girls and are different among race-ethnic groups. Researchers from EPA's Office of Research and Development, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Westat Inc., analyzed data collected from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) from 1988 to 1994. Although these findings do not prove a causal relationship between elevated lead levels and delayed puberty, they suggest that even relatively low level lead exposure may influence growth and development in girls.
April 18, 2003
The U.S. 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 2-methylnaphthalene. 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 May 19, 2003 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
April 16, 2003
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 methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). 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 May 9, 2003 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
April 16, 2003
EPA has released the Toxicological Review of Benzene (Noncancer Effects), a report that describes the potential noncancer health hazards associated with environmental exposures to benzene. This document supplements two previously released human health assessments of benzene, and will be used to inform the Agency's future risk assessments and regulation of benzene sources. Benzene is an industrial solvent and a component of gasoline, and is also used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents and pesticides. The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) in EPA's Office of Research and Development's (ORD) completed this report which will serve as a source document for inclusion of a noncancer health effects summary on benzene in EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
Inhalation and oral cancer risk assessments of benzene are already available on IRIS.
Inhalation and oral cancer risk assessments of benzene are already available on IRIS.
April 04, 2003
This database was developed by assembling and evaluating the literature relevant to human biomarkers. It catalogues and evaluates the usefulness of biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility and effect which may be relevant for a longitudinal cohort study. In addition to describing currently available, reliable human biomarkers, the report also reviews up-and-coming techniques and biomarkers in animal models that could be tested for application in human studies.
March 24, 2003
This document reviews and evaluates the current RfD/RfC process and makes recommendations for improvements in deriving reference values, including setting less than lifetime as well as chronic reference values. The Review evaluates the current state-of-the-art for hazard characterization with a focus on protection of potentially sensitive subpopulations.
March 19, 2003
By helping investigators identify the stressors responsible for effects, the Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS) will provide a critical step toward identifying sources, taking appropriate actions and improving the nation's environmental quality. At a workshop in Mt. Sterling, OH, August 26-28, 2002, representatives from the Office of Research and Development, Office of Water, EPA Regions, and States came together to conceptualize CADDIS and to identify critical research needs for system implementation and population. The CADDIS Workshop Report, which summarizes the workshop proceedings and participant recommendations for the system's design, platform and architecture, is now available.
March 07, 2003
EPA issued a Federal Register notice which extended the period for acceptance of public comment to the report titled, Exposure and Human Health Evaluation of Airborne Pollution from the World Trade Center Disaster (http://www.epa.gov/ncea/wtc.htm). The original 60-day comment period ended on February 25, and this extension allows acceptance of comments postmarked no later than April 7, 2003.
March 03, 2003
The EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) will be conducting external peer reviews of the Toxicological Reviews of Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, and Vinyl Acetate. The overview describes the scope of the required evaluation that participants may be expected to provide as ad hoc members of the SAB. Formaldehyde, vinyl acetate, and acetaldehyde are all listed as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, and each is associated with significant ambient exposures.
March 03, 2003
Today EPA issued a Federal Register notice announcing the public availability of the Draft Final Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment and the start of 60-day public comment period.
March 03, 2003
Today EPA issued a Federal Register notice announcing the public availability of the Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Cancer Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens and the start of 60-day public comment period.
February 12, 2003
An interagency conference sponsored by Tri-Service (Air Force, Army, Navy) Toxicology; the U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Division of Toxicology; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; and the Food and Drug Administration. The conference is held with the cooperation of the National Research Council/ National Academy of Sciences and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
February 06, 2003
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) is an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data base that contains EPA scientific consensus positions on human health effects that may result from chronic exposure to chemical substances in the environment. EPA is adding some additional health assessments to the IRIS agenda. This notice describes the Agency's plans and solicits scientific data and evaluations for consideration in EPA's new assessments (Federal Register Notice).
February 05, 2003
A watershed ecological risk assessment of Waquoit Bay, located on the south coast of Cape Cod, MA, was performed for managers to better understand the environmental impacts of human activities. The workgroup used an ecological risk assessment process to (1) decide to focus the analysis on impacts of nutrient enrichment on percent of eelgrass cover and scallop abundance and (2) use a nitrogen loading model to predict nitrogen input to the Bay and resulting changes.
January 24, 2003
The Washington, DC Division of the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is recruiting a Supervisory GS 15 scientist (biologist, environmental scientist, or general engineer) to head the Exposure Assessment and Risk Characterization Group (EARCG). EARCG is one of three risk assessment based science groups within the Washington Division. The supervisory position leads a group about 20 risk assessment oriented ecologists, exposure assessors and support staff. The closing date for submitting an application is February 18, 2003. For further information, please go to the NCEA Employment Opportunities web page.
January 23, 2003
The EPA is announcing the availability of full-time epidemiologist positions at the GS-14 level with the Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program. The closing date for submitting an application is February 11, 2003. For further information, please go to the NCEA Employment Opportunities web page or the IRIS What's New web page.
January 15, 2003
The National Center for Environmental Assessment prepared this handbook to address factors commonly used in exposure assessments for children. The Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook focuses on various factors used in assessing exposure, specifically for children ages 1-19 years.
January 10, 2003
EPA announces the availability of the CASAC Review Draft of a document, Project
Work Plan for Revised Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants,
NCEA-R-1068 (November 2002), prepared by The National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development. This document is a revised version of the External Review Draft released in December 2001 and provides managerial procedures for revising the 1996 Ozone Air Quality Criteria Document. The draft document will be reviewed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) in a public teleconference meeting that will take place Thursday, February 6, 2003 in Room 6013, U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Federal Building North, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Work Plan for Revised Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants,
NCEA-R-1068 (November 2002), prepared by The National Center for Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development. This document is a revised version of the External Review Draft released in December 2001 and provides managerial procedures for revising the 1996 Ozone Air Quality Criteria Document. The draft document will be reviewed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB) in a public teleconference meeting that will take place Thursday, February 6, 2003 in Room 6013, U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Federal Building North, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004.
January 09, 2003
This report summarizes technical peer review workshop discussions on the "Draft Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment". The purpose of the meeting was to provide comments on the April 2002 draft of the Framework, both generally and in response to a series of charge questions
January 09, 2003
This report summarizes discussions at the peer review workshop held on the draft document entitled "A Review of the Reference Dose and Reference Concentration Processes. The workshop was held June 19, 2002, to provide comments on the document, both generally and in response to a series of charge questions.
December 27, 2002
Following the collapse of the World Trade Center towers on September 11, 2001, New York State and Federal agencies initiated numerous air monitoring activities to better understand the ongoing impact of emissions from the disaster. This report focuses on these air measurement data, evaluating them in terms of what is typical for New York City or general urban background and interpreting it with regard to the potential for human health consequences.
December 23, 2002
The EPA is announcing the availability of full-time toxicologist positions at the GS-13 and 14 levels with the Agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Program. For further information and how to apply for one of these positions, please go to the NCEA Employment Opportunities web page or the IRIS What's New web page.
December 02, 2002
The National Center for Environmental Assessment has prepared this Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology to serve as a technical guide for EPA's regional offices and the general public who need to read karst literature or interact with karst researchers. It is an update to the previously released lexicon and is a comprehensive listing with definitions of some of the more common and uncommon terms related to caves and karst. It was developed to facilitate reading of the literature because much of the published karst research may often be found only in somewhat obscure journals or reports. In addition, many of these published documents contain terms that are unfamiliar to nonkarst scientists and engineers. In many instances common environmental terms are defined in such a way as to specifically reference karstic phenomena. The lexicon is extensively cross-referenced and includes translations for many of the terms into French, German, Greek, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, and Yugoslavian so that readers of the published literature will be able to better understand that which they have chosen to read.
December 02, 2002
As part of the U.S. EPA's effort through its Office of Research and Development to recruit post-doctoral candidates to fill positions in EPA, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking post-doctoral candidates for the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina Division in the following areas: Fuels and Fuel Additives, Toxicology/Health Science, Biostatistics/Epidemiology, and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling. Information about other jobs is available on the Employment Opportunities in NCEA web page.
November 27, 2002
To assist EPA ecological risk assessors, a Risk Assessment Forum technical panel has drafted a report that presents a set of generic "assessment endpoints" representing valued ecological entities, and their attributes, upon which management actions are focused. The generic assessment endpoints are intended to be a useful starting point that can be applied to many different types of ecological risk assessments. A total of 19 endpoints are proposed at the organism, population, community, and ecosystem levels of biological organization.
November 21, 2002
A new polynomial model (Version 2.2) is now available that fixes the previous incompatibility with Windows 2000.
November 20, 2002
The Qtracer2 package, an update to the previously released Qtracer package, is a user-friendly computer tool that runs under Microsoft Windows and allows an individual to quickly evaluate the tracer-breakthrough curve developed from tracer tests conducted in various hydologic systems. It solves the necessary equations from user-generated data input files using robust integration routines and relies on established hydraulic models. Additional features include dynamic memory allocation, the ability to extrapolate late-time data using any one of three different methods, two separate methods for handling oversized time-concentration data files, and a powerful interactive graphics routine. Four other programs are included to facilitate the use of QTRACER2. The user's manual, executable files, sample data files, and source files are all available at this site.
November 18, 2002
This watershed assessment investigated the causes of declines in fish and mussel populations. GIS and multivariate analyses were used to compare land uses with biological and habitat measures.
November 04, 2002
The EPA's National Center for Environmental Assessment sponsored a two-day peer consultation workshop on October 24-25, 2001, to examine alternative approaches to the health assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixtures. This summary report provides a general record of discussions and issues raised during the workshop.
October 31, 2002
In honor of national Children's Health Month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association today announced the Asthma Research Strategy, a new initiative to advance the scientific understanding and prevention of asthma, the most common chronic childhood illness. Approximately 3.8 million children had an asthma attack in the past year. Asthma is more prevalent in low-income and minority communities, and the number of children with asthma is rising. Environmental contaminants such as smoke, air pollution, pollen and particulate matter influence the incidence and severity of asthma. The Asthma Research Strategy will guide EPA research efforts, led by the Office of Research and Development (ORD), to address the significant issues of exposures, effects, risk assessment, and risk management of environmental pollutants relevant to asthma.
October 29, 2002
This assessment was conducted to review the new information that has become available since EPA's 1985 health assessment of 1,3-butadiene. 1,3-Butadiene is a gas used commercially in the production of styrene-butadiene rubber, plastics, and thermoplastic resins. The major environmental source of 1,3-butadiene is the incomplete combustion of fuels from mobile sources (e.g., automobile exhaust). Tobacco smoke can be a significant source of 1,3-butadiene in indoor air. This assessment concludes that 1,3-butadiene is carcinogenic to humans by inhalation, based on the total weight of evidence.
October 29, 2002
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Center for Environmental Assessment, within the Agency's Office of Research and Development, is announcing a Workshop on GAM-Related Statistical Issues in Particulate Matter (PM) Epidemiology. The workshop scheduled for November 4-6, 2002 is open to the public.
September 03, 2002
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of the final Health Assessment Document for Diesel Engine Exhaust (EPA/600/8-90/057F, May 2002). The document was prepared by the Office of Research and Development's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA). The assessment evaluates the health effects literature to identify the most important exposure hazards to
humans. Secondly, the assessment evaluates the exposure-response characteristics of the key health effects so that information is available for understanding the possible impact on an exposed population.
humans. Secondly, the assessment evaluates the exposure-response characteristics of the key health effects so that information is available for understanding the possible impact on an exposed population.
August 19, 2002
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 toluene. These documents are provided for public viewing during an external scientific peer review period
August 08, 2002
All public comments received on the Draft Action Plan are now available on the Draft Action Plan web page. Included are comments from four industry groups and the Department of Energy.
July 31, 2002
The Guide to Current Literature on Exposure Factors provides a list of references and summaries of recent studies conducted on exposure factors. This list and summaries will be updated as new data become available. NCEA will update the recommendations in the 1997 Exposure Factors Handbook on a factor-by-factor basis when enough data are available to warrant a revision.
June 24, 2002
An independent scientific peer review of EPA's draft assessment of health and ecotoxicological effects of perchlorate, entitled "Perchlorate Environmental Contamination: Toxicological Review and Risk Characterization," was organized and convened by the Eastern Research Group (an EPA contractor) for the National Center for Environmental Assessment on March 5 and 6, 2002, in Sacramento, California. This summary report provides a general record of discussions and issues raised during the peer review meeting.
June 20, 2002
NCEA is requesting applications for partners to conduct research on risk communications and community involvement at Superfund sites.
June 13, 2002
The purpose of this technical support document is to inform decision-makers, general academia, and the public on the scientific foundation and relevance to the United States of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The Stockholm Convention includes measures to reduce and/or eliminate the production, use, and release of the twelve POPs of greatest concern to the global community, and establishes science-based criteria and procedures for the addition of chemicals to the treaty in the future. The Convention was signed by EPA Administrator Whitman on behalf of the United States in May, 2001, and has been submitted to the U.S. Congress for ratification. This report summarizes data available in the peer reviewed literature on the twelve POPs, and provides an overview of the risks posed to United States ecosystems and the public.
June 10, 2002
This report presents information and materials from a public meeting organized by Eastern Research Group Inc. (ERG), an EPA contractor. The meeting was held in Washington, DC on February 20, 2002. The purpose of the meeting was to collect comments from the public relevant to development of the framework for metals assessment.
June 06, 2002
In recognition of the unique assessment issues raised by metals and the complexity of addressing these issues consistently across the Agency's various programs, the Agency's Science Policy Council tasked an Agency work group to devise an Action Plan. The resultant draft document includes brief descriptions of the Agency's metals assessment activities, and identifies critical assessment issues that need to be addressed by the cross-agency guidance.
May 31, 2002
This report presents information and materials from a peer consultation workshop organized by
Versar, Inc. (an EPA contractor) for EPA's Risk Assessment Forum. The meeting was held in Washington, DC on August 22 and 23, 2001. The meeting discussions focused on the August 2, 2001 draft Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment.
Versar, Inc. (an EPA contractor) for EPA's Risk Assessment Forum. The meeting was held in Washington, DC on August 22 and 23, 2001. The meeting discussions focused on the August 2, 2001 draft Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment.
May 31, 2002
The draft report entitled, A Review of the Reference Dose and Reference Concentration Processes represents an analysis of the current RfD/RfC processes. It summarizes the review and deliberations of the Risk Assessment Forum RfD Technical Panel and presents a number of recommendations to improve the RfD/RfC processes.
May 10, 2002
The EPA Risk Assessment Forum's Cumulative Risk Technical Panel has been
working to develop a Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment. Building
from the Agency's growing experiences, this Framework is intended to
identify the basic elements of the cumulative risk assessment process.
It should provide a flexible structure for the technical issues and
define key terms associated with cumulative risk assessment. The April
23, 2002 draft of the Framework is currently undergoing external peer
review and is now available for a 30-day public comment period.
May 09, 2002
EPA is now issuing a third external review draft of Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter for a 60-day public comment period and for review before the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). This draft contains revisions in response to public and CASAC review comments on the March 2001 external review draft.
May 08, 2002
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 and Compounds. 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 May 30, 2002 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
May 01, 2002
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) effort through its Office of Research and Development (ORD) to recruit post-doctoral candidiates to fill positions in EPA laboratories and centers, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking post-doctoral candidates from a wide range of disciplines for its offices in Cincinnati, OH, Research Triangle Park (RTP), NC, and Washington, DC.
April 22, 2002
In the process of reviewing toxicology testing paradigms currently in use within the Agency for hazard characterization, the Risk Assessment Forum's Reference Dose (RfD) Technical Panel identified aging as an area needing additional consideration within the risk assessment process. The Forum commissioned development of an issue paper to provide background information on the subject.
April 22, 2002
The Risk Assessment Forum's Reference Dose (RfD) Technical Panel commissioned development of an issue paper on evaluating the current pharmacokinetic data in immature animals, at various stages of development. The paper serves as background information for the Panel in its review of the RfD/RfC processes.
March 13, 2002
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 xylenes. 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 8, 2002 will be considered in subsequent drafts.
March 07, 2002
An ecological risk assessment was completed for the Middle Snake River, Idaho. In this assessment, mathematical simulations and field observations were used to analyze exposure and ecological effects and to estimate risk.
March 07, 2002
This project, sponsored by EPA's Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) program, evaluated the ability of an automated biological monitoring system that measures fish ventilatory responses (ventilatory rate, ventilatory depth, and cough rate) to detect developing toxic conditions in water.
March 06, 2002
An interagency conference sponsored by Tri-Service (Air Force, Army, Navy) Toxicology; the U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Division of Toxicology; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; and the Food and Drug Administration. The conference is held with the cooperation of the National Research Council/ National Academy of Sciences and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
March 05, 2002
The Factor Finder is a user friendly searchable CD-ROM used by assessors and researchers to locate exposure related data from the Exposure Factors Handbook (EFH) and its companion document, the Sociodemographic Data Used in Identifying Potentially Highly Exposed Populations. Users can submit queries by entering keywords into a user defined search box or by using pull down menus to target specific information. The pull down menu features general categories such as chemicals of concern, contaminated media, geographic region, exposure pathways and routes, age, food categories, and activities to name a few.
March 04, 2002
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (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 hydrogen sulfide (CAS No. 7783-06-4). 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 4, 2002, will be considered in subsequent drafts.
February 25, 2002
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (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 acrolein (CAS No. 107-02-8). 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 March 29, 2002, will be considered in subsequent drafts.
January 18, 2002
Perchlorate (ClO4-) is an anion that originates as a contaminant in ground water and surface waters when the salts of ammonium, potassium, magnesium, or sodium dissolve in water. One major source of contamination is the manufacture or improper disposal of ammonium perchlorate that is used as the primary component in solid propellant for rockets, missiles, and fireworks. Appreciation of widespread contamination in the United States emerged in the Spring of 1997 when development of an analytical method with a quantitation level at 4 ppb became available. By May of that same year EPA was engaged in developing a targeted testing strategy to evaluate the potential human health and ecotoxicological effects of potential perchlorate exposures. The National Center for Environmental Assessment first released an external review draft in 1998 and recommendations for additional studies and analyses were made at a 1999 scientific peer review. The external review draft of the revised document, "Perchlorate Environmental Contamination: Toxicological Review and Risk Characterization" responds to those recommendations and incorporates results from extensive laboratory and field studies performed since 1999. For more information on perchlorate and the external review draft, including Frequently Asked Questions, see the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water's website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ccl/perchlor/perchlo.html
January 02, 2002
Ozone is one of six criteria air pollutants whose ambient concentrations are regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established by the U.S. Clean Air Act (U.S. Code, 1991). The NAAQS apply to both human health (primary standard) and public welfare (secondary standard). Primary standards protect sensitive members of the human population from adverse health effects of criteria air pollutants, with an adequate margin of safety. Secondary standards protect the public welfare from any known or anticipated adverse effects associated with the presence of a pollutant in the ambient air. Welfare effects include but are not limited to effects on soils, water, crops, vegetation, manmade materials, animals, wildlife, weather, visibility, and climate, damage to and deterioration of property, and hazards to transportation, as well as effects on economic values and personal comfort and well-being.
January 02, 2002
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgates the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on the basis of scientific information contained in criteria documents. The previous ozone (O3 ) criteria document, Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants, was released by the EPA in July 1996. This document was used as the basis for a July 1997 decision by EPA to promulgate a new 8-h NAAQS for ground-level O3 . The 8-h O3 standard currently is being litigated; however, the 1-h NAAQS remains in effect.
Consistent with statutory requirements to review NAAQS every 5 years, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) in EPA's Office of Research and Development is proceeding with the next periodic review of the air quality criteria for O3 . NCEA is pleased to announce the availability of its Project Work Plan for Revised Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants.
November 29, 2001
The model MFFRST, short for Metal Finishing Facility Risk Screening Tool, is a user-friendly pc-based computer tool which allows an individual to evaluate the potential exposures and health risks to workers and nearby residents from emissions of contaminants into air from individual metal finishing facilities. Available for downloading at this new site are the MFFRST technical supporting document, six published articles on the development, testing, and application of MFFRST, and of course, the pc-based model itself.
November 28, 2001
FR Notice: Intent to Issue Final Revised Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment in 2002
FR Notice EPA announces its intent to proceed to issue final revised Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment in 2002. The Agency is soliciting additional scientific information and comments that could assist us in completing the final Guidelines.
November 20, 2001
This technical support document is aimed at informing decision makers, general academia, and the public on the scientific foundation and relevance to the United States of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Under this treaty, countries commit to reduce and/or eliminate the production, use, and release of the twelve POPs of greatest concern to the global community, and to establish a mechanism by which additional substances may be added to the treaty in the future. The Stockholm Convention was signed by Governor Whitman on behalf of the United States in May, 2001, and has been identified by President Bush as a priority for submission to the U.S. Congress for ratification. This report summarizes data available in the peer reviewed literature on the twelve POPs, and provides an overview of the risks posed to United States ecosystems and/or citizenry. The EPA is currently seeking comments from the public on this draft report. The comment period is open until Friday, January 25, 2002.
November 19, 2001
Workshop Report on the Application of 2,3,7,8-TCDD Toxicity Equivalence Factors to Fish and Wildlife
This is the report of a 1998 workshop sponsored by EPA and the U.S. Department of Interior on the application of dioxin toxicity equivalence factors (TEFs) to fish and wildlife. TEFs are tools for estimating the combined risks from exposure to complex mixtures of polychlorinated dioxins (PCDDs), furans (PCDFs), and biphenyls (PCBs). The workshop concluded that the toxicity equivalence methodology is appropriate for evaluating risks to fish, birds, and mammals.
Note: this report is not EPA's reassessment of the health risks from dioxin. For more information about the dioxin reassessment, please visit: www.epa.gov/dioxin
Note: this report is not EPA's reassessment of the health risks from dioxin. For more information about the dioxin reassessment, please visit: www.epa.gov/dioxin
October 01, 2001
On October 10 and 11, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) will host at its Washington, DC offices a review and site visit by the Office of Research and Development's (ORD) Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) Subcommittee for NCEA. In preparation for the Subcommittee's review, the BOSC requested that each ORD national laboratory and center respond to 18 questions. NCEA has developed a response to these questions and has submitted the responses to the NCEA-BOSC Subcommittee. NCEA's responses will help the Subcommittee to gauge the progress of the Center since its 1997 review and to evaluate science and planning activities that NCEA has developed to address the priorities and directions included in the EPA and ORD Strategic Plans.
September 19, 2001
NCEA Web Site Updated and Redesigned
The NCEA Web Site has been updated and redesigned to improve the presentation of information and make use of better and more powerful search features. The redesigned site uses EIMS (Environmental Information Management System) to store and search NCEA information and to dynamically generate web pages based on a user's request for the information. Once a user has located a document or tool of interest by drilling down to an abstract/summary page, downloads (or viewing) of the complete document/tool are accessible by clicking on the Downloads/URL Links item on the sidebar. Regular users of the site may wish to bookmark the What's New page where all additions to the site are announced, and/or the Topics/All Topics page (linking to all types of site information including publications, databases and tools, and projects), or the Publications/Topics page. We welcome comments and suggestions that will help us improve the NCEA web site to better meet the needs of its users.
September 19, 2001
This assessment presents EPA's most current evaluation of the potential health risks from exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE exposure is associated with several adverse health effects, including neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, developmental toxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, endocrine effects, and several forms of cancer. This assessment evaluates the potential health risks of TCE in light of the available information and analyses pertinent to mode of action, uncertainty, human variation, and cumulative risks.
August 29, 2001
This report describe the sources, emission, environmental fate and exposures for Trichloroethylene (TCE), some of its metabolites, and some other chemicals known to produce identical metabolites. It is intended to be used as a resource document for risk assessors inside and outside the Agency.
August 16, 2001
EPA is providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, and draft IRIS Summary, and to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of acetone (CAS No. 67-64-1). These documents are provided for public viewing during an external scientific peer review period.
August 15, 2001
Statistical analyses of the human health effects of airborne pollutants based on aggregate population time-series data have often relied on ambient concentrations of pollutants measured at one or more central sites in a given metropolitan area. This report revisits the practice of multiple-site averaging. The results are drawn from an analysis examining simultaneous mapping of population density and ambient O3 concentrations on the scale of a single metropolitan area. Because of the ready availability of data associated with a related research effort, the city selected for this analysis was Phoenix, AZ.
August 10, 2001
A technical panel convened under the EPA Risk Assessment Forum has been working to develop a Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment. Building from the Agency's growing experiences, this Framework is intended to identify the basic elements of the cumulative risk assessment process. This preliminary draft of the Framework for Cumulative Risk Assessment is being made available at this time for the purpose of peer consultation. At the completion of the peer consultation process, the document will be revised and then reviewed by the Agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB). The final framework document will reflect the SAB comments and will require review and approval by the Agency's Science Policy Council.
July 16, 2001
Contaminated water can lead to the volatilization of chemicals to residential indoor air; however, previous research has focused on one source, namely showers. This report presents the results of a series of experiments conducted to determine emissions from four sources of water use in a household (showers, bathtubs, washing machines, and dishwashers). Mass transfer coefficients and chemical stripping efficiencies were determined using these four sources and five tracer chemicals (acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene, ethylbenzene, and cyclohexane).
July 03, 2001
A Request for Applications for Cooperative Agreements to Provide Assistance to State/Tribal/Other Local Environmental Protection Agencies to Conduct Location-Specific Assessments of the Impacts of Climate Change and Variability on Aquatic Ecosystems and Water Quality.
July 03, 2001
The 1986 Guidelines for the Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures represent the EPA's science policy and are a procedural guide for evaluating data on the health effects from exposures to chemical mixtures. This supplementary guidance provides additional procedures and more detail on the broad principles and procedures of the 1986 Guidelines.
June 21, 2001
This document is being developed to supplement the EPA Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment of 1998. It is designed to help decisionmakers work with risk assessors, stakeholders, and other analysts to plan for ecological risk assessments that will effectively inform the decisions to be made.
June 20, 2001
Effective prioritization of streams for protection or restoration relies in part on the ability to scientifically determine the causes of changes in condition. The ORD and OW have developed a process to logically gather information and present evidence for the identification of principal causes of biological impairment. The process was recently published in the Stressor Identification Guidance Document (2001). The Stressor Identification Guidance was a collaborative effort with involvement by the Office of Water's OST and OWOW, and multiple ORD laboratories and centers including the National Center of Environmental Assessment (NCEA). Workgroup chairs were Susan Cormier (ORD-NERL ) and Donna Reed-Judkins (OW-OST); authors also included Glenn Suter and Susan Norton (ORD-NCEA).
June 20, 2001
This database documents congener-specific emissions and environmental releases of polychlorinated dibenzo-para-dioxins (CDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (CDFs) from known source activities in the United States.
June 11, 2001
The Wildlife Contaminants Exposure Model (WCEM) has been released for beta-testing. The WCEM is designed to make wildlife exposure modeling more consistent, transparent and efficient. It is suitable for any screening-level risk assessment exercise requiring an estimate of wildlife exposure to organic or inorganic compounds but can also support more detailed risk characterizations.
April 10, 2001
EPA is now issuing a second external review draft of Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter for a 90-day public comment period and for review before the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). This draft contains revisions in response to public and CASAC review comments on the October 1999 external review draft.
April 03, 2001
This latest version of BMDS contains new continuous Polynomial (v2.1), Power (v2.1) and Hill (v2.1) models, new dichotomous Multistage (v2.1), Weibull (v2.1) and Gamma (v2.2) models, and an improved user interface. The new models are more compact and stable (will converge on BMD and BMDL solutions more often). The user interface upgrades are described in the new help manual (PDF format) for version 1.3 available from the BMDS web site and in the readme.txt file that is distributed with the upgrade.
March 21, 2001
Issues and Applications in Toxicology and Risk Assessment (Toxicology Conference, April 23-26, 2001)
An interagency conference sponsored by Tri-Service (Air Force, Army, Navy) Toxicology; the U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Division of Toxicology; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; and the Food and Drug Administration. The conference is held with the cooperation of the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
March 12, 2001
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.
February 15, 2001
Exposure Factors Program
The development of the latest version of the Exposure Factors Handbook has brought to light the need for a more comprehensive program that addresses issues related to exposure factors. The
need for the most up-to-date and accurate data on exposure factors used in assessing exposure to contaminants in the environment is of high priority to exposure assessors throughout the U.S. The completion of the Exposure Factors Handbook has only been the first step in fulfilling this need. This web page is intended to provide a focal point where the most current information
and data on exposure factors can be found.
need for the most up-to-date and accurate data on exposure factors used in assessing exposure to contaminants in the environment is of high priority to exposure assessors throughout the U.S. The completion of the Exposure Factors Handbook has only been the first step in fulfilling this need. This web page is intended to provide a focal point where the most current information
and data on exposure factors can be found.
February 02, 2001
EPA is releasing the final report of an evaluation
of IRIS concerning documentation of data variability and uncertainty, in response to a Congressional directive contained in HR 106-379. The final report reflects EPA's Science Advisory Board review.
of IRIS concerning documentation of data variability and uncertainty, in response to a Congressional directive contained in HR 106-379. The final report reflects EPA's Science Advisory Board review.
January 21, 2001
The Mercury Research Strategy describes a research program that provides information, methods, models, and data to address key scientific questions of greatest concern to EPA, reducing uncertainties currently limiting the Agency's ability to assess and manage mercury and methylmercury risks. The Office of Research and Development expects that the research strategy will be used to guide the development of a more detailed implementation plan. It will act as a resource for EPA managers who must make decisions about future research priorities and budgets.
January 03, 2001
Post Doctoral Positions available in ORD/National Center for Environmental Assessment
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) effort through its Office
of Research and Development (ORD) to recruit post-doctoral candidates to fill positions in EPA laboratories and centers, the National
Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking post-doctoral candidates from a wide range of disciplines for its divisions in Washington, DC, Research Triangle Park,NC, and Cincinnati, OH.
- December 5, 2000
- Options for Development of Parametric Probability Distributions for Exposure Factors
(This file contains the Table of Contents) EPA/600/R-00/058, July 2000
These documents summarize a system of procedures to fit distributions to selected data from the Exposure Factors Handbook to fulfill a need expressed by users of the Handbook.
November 20, 2000- Toxicological Review of Chloroprene [and IRIS Summary]
NCEA-S-0932, October 2000, External Review Draft
EPA is providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of chloroprene (CAS No. 126-99-8). These documents are provided for public viewing during an external scientific peer review period.
November 3, 2000- Discussion Materials for External Peer Review of the Draft Benchmark Dose Technical Guidance Document
Peer Review Workshop Documents, December 7-8, 2000
November 2, 2000- Benchmark Dose Software The Benchmark Dose Software and pages have been updated. Review the new changes here. Registration is required.
October 26, 2000- Strategy for Research on Environmental Risks to Children
EPA/600/R-00/068 October 2000
The EPA's Office of Research and Development has completed the Strategy for Research on Environmental Risks to Children, which provides the strategic direction for ORD's research program in children's health.
October 25, 2000- Reference Dose for Methylmercury
NCEA S-0932 October 2000 External Review Draft
The draft document is being made available during an external scientific peer-review period. It will be reviewed by a panel of experts at a peer-review workshop on November 15, 2000. The Agency also is accepting comments from the public during a limited public review and comment period.
October 25, 2000- A Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology with Special Reference to Environmental Karst Hydrology, Attachment 1
October 25, 2000- The QTracer Program for Tracer-Breakthrough Curve Analysis for Karst and Fractured-Rock Aquifers
EPA/600/R-98/156a, February 1999
The draft document is being made available during an external scientific peer-review period. It will be reviewed by a panel of experts at a peer-review workshop on November 15, 2000. The Agency also is accepting comments from the public during a limited public review and comment period. -
October 3, 2000 - Global Change Research Strategy
Office of Research and Development's Global Change Research Strategy is publicly available for review and comment.
September 28, 2000- Dioxin Reassessment
EPA is releasing three draft chapters of its dioxin reassessment for review by the Agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) and for public comment. EPA is also making available the current working drafts of the other parts of the dioxin reassessment as well as fact sheets that provide background information on the reassessment and EPA's dioxin risk management efforts.
September 12, 2000- Ecological Risk Assessment Workshop
The workshop described in this report was conducted to further develop and document the process for the risk characterization phase of watershed-scale ecological risk assessment. The recommendations reflect the responses of workshop participants to charge questions addressing those aspects of watershed-scale ecological risk characterization deemed most in need of a procedural framework.
August 25, 2000- Toxicological Review of Quinoline [and IRIS Summary]
NCEA-S-0883 August 2000 External Review Draft
EPA is providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of quinoline (CAS No. 91-22-5). These documents are provided for public infromation during an external scientific peer review period.
August 23, 2000- CatReg Software for Categorical Regression Analysis
CatReg is a computer program, written in the S-PLUS. (MathSoft, Inc.) programming language, to support the conduct of exposure-response analyses by toxicologists and health scientists. CatReg can be used to perform categorical regression analyses on toxicity data after effects have been assigned to ordinal severity categories (e.g., no effect, adverse effect, severe effect) and associated with up to two independent variables corresponding to the exposure conditions (e.g., concentration and duration) under which the effects occurred.
August 23, 2000- Presidential Commission on Risk Assessment and Risk Management
from September 26, 1997.
The Presidential/Congressional Commission on Risk Assessment and Risk Management, which was mandated as part of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, was disbanded on August 31, 1997, with some staff work continuing into September. The reports and associated documents of the Commission are being made available on the NCEA web site.
August 21, 2000- Toxicological Review of Acetaldehyde [and IRIS Summary]
NCEA-S-0687, July 2000 External Review Draft, PDF Version (170K)
EPA is providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of acetaldehyde (CAS No. 75-07-0). These documents are provided for public information during an external scientific peer review period.
August 17, 2000- Toxicological Review of Methyl Chloride [and IRIS Summary]
NCEA S-0877, July 2000, External Review Draft
EPA is providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of methyl chloride (CAS No. 74-87-3). These documents are provided for public viewing during an external scientific peer review period.
August 17, 2000- Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook
NCEA-W-0853 June 2000 External Review Draft
Although the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) has published the Exposure Factors Handbook in 1997 (EPA/600/P-95/002Fa-c), which includes exposure factors and related data on both adults and children, the EPA Program Offices identified the need to consolidate all children exposure data into one document. The goal of the Child-Specific Exposure Factors Handbook is to fulfill this need. The document provides a summary of the available and up-to-date statistical data on various factors assessing children exposures.
August 10, 2000- EPA Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgates the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) on the basis of scientific information contained in criteria documents. The last air quality criteria document for carbon monoxide (CO) was completed by EPA in 1991. This revised criteria document consolidates and updates the current scientific basis for another reevaluation of the NAAQS for CO, currently set at 9 ppm (10 mg/m3) for 8 h and 35 ppm (40 mg/m3) for 1 h.
August 9, 2000- Characterization of Data Variability and Uncertainty: Health Effects Assessments in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
EPA is releasing the final report of an evaluation of IRIS concerning documentation of data variability and uncertainty, in response to a Congressional directive contained in HR 106-379. This final report reflects EPA's Science Advisory Board review.
August 8, 2000- Health Assessment Document for Diesel Exhaust
EPA/600/8-90/057E, July 2000, SAB Review Draft
EPA is releasing a revised draft Health Assessment Document for Diesel Exhaust. The draft assessment will be peer-reviewed by the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) of the EPA's Science Advisory Board in the Fall of 2000 and NCEA will accept public comments. Details of the CASAC meeting and the public comment period will be announced in the Federal Register.
August 3, 2000- Hexachlorocyclopentadiene: External Review Drafts of IRIS Documents
EPA is providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of hexachlorocyclopentadiene (CAS No. 77-47-4). These documents are provided for public information during an external scientific peer review period.
June 12, 2000- Draft Dioxin Reassessment
EPA is releasing two draft chapters of its dioxin reassessment for peer review and public comment. EPA is also making available the current working drafts of the other parts of the dioxin reassessment as well as fact sheets that provide background information on the reassessment and EPA's dioxin risk management efforts. Note: These documents have been superseded by September 2000 draft documents which will be reviewed by EPA's Science Advisory Board and which are now available on the web.
June 1, 2000- Post Doctoral Positions available in ORD/National Center for Environmental Assessment
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) effort through its Office of Research and Development (ORD) to recruit post-doctoral candidates to fill positions in EPA laboratories and centers, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking post-doctoral candidates from a wide range of disciplines for its divisions in Washington, DC, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Cincinnati, OH.
May 29, 2000- The Effects of Ammonium Perchlorate on Thyroids Pathology Working Group Report
In response to recommendations made at the February 1999 external peer review of the December 1998 document entitled, Perchlorate Environmental Contamination: Toxicology Review and Risk Characterization (https://www.epa.gov/ncea/perch.htm), the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) arranged for a review of the thyroids from all of the studies by independent pathologists using a consistent lesion grading scheme and to then convene a pathology working group (PWG). The objective of this review was to perform a review by a second pathologist, that had not been performed for any of the individual studies, and which is traditionally accomplished before convening a PWG. Because of the potential for inconsistency across the studies due to the fact that the various studies had been performed by several different laboratories with several different study pathologists using different lesion grading systems, which made use of these data difficult for comparison and development of dose-response analyses, the purpose of the independent peer review and PWG was to decrease variability in response across the studies by providing a common nomenclature for lesions and a consistent pathology review.
April 11, 2000- MTBE and Fuel Oxygenates
MTBE and fuel oxygenates have been the subject of health risk assessments and research strategies prepared by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA).
January 28, 2000- A Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology with Special Reference to Environmental Karst Hydrology
The National Center for Environmental Assessment-Washington Office (NCEA-W) has prepared this glossary to serve as a technical guide for EPA's regional offices and the general public who need to read karst literature or interact with karst researchers.
January 27, 2000- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Approaches for the 21st Century Conference
April 10-13, 2000
Kings Island, OH
An interagency conference sponsored by Tri-Service Toxicology; the National Center for Environmental Assessment, United States Environmental Protection Agency; the Division of Toxicology, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and with the cooperation of the National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences.
NOTE: This web page is no longer available.
- December 8, 1999
- Summary Of The U.S. EPA Colloquium On a Framework for Human Health Risk Assessment
EPA/600/R-99/001 and EPA/600/R-98/155
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the need to develop a framework for human health risk assessment that puts a perspective on the approaches in practice throughout the Agency. The framework will be a communication piece that will lay out the scientific basis, principles, and policy choices underlying past and current risk assessment approaches and will provide recommendations for integrating/harmonizing risk assessment methodologies for all human health endpoints.
November 17, 1999- Sociodemographic Data Used For Identifying Potentially Highly Exposed Populations EPA/600/R-99/060
The document entitled Sociodemographic Data Used for Identifying Potentially Highly Exposed Populations (also referred to as the Highly Exposed Populations document), assists assessors in identifying and enumerating potentially highly exposed populations. This document presents data relating to factors which potentially impact an individual or group's exposure to environmental contaminants based on activity patterns (how time is spent), microenvironments (locations where time is spent), and other socio-demographic data such as age, gender, race and economic status.
November 17, 1999- Mercury Research Strategy (Workshop Review Draft)
NCEA-I-0710, November 1999
The Mercury Research Strategy describes a research program that provides information, methods, models, and data to address key scientific questions of greatest concern to EPA, reducing uncertainties currently limiting the Agency's ability to assess and manage mercury and methylmercury risks. The Office of Research and Development expects that the research strategy will be used to guide the development of a more detailed implementation plan. It will act as a resource for EPA managers who must make decisions about future research priorities and budgets.
November 15, 1999- Health Assessment Document for Diesel Emissions, SAB Review Draft EPA/600/8-90/057D
This revised draft assessment of the possible health hazards from human exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions updates two earlier drafts (1998 and 1994) that were reviewed by the Agency's Science Advisory Board (SAB) Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).
October 22, 1999- Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter EPA 600/P-99/002a, b, c - External Review Draft
This external review draft document is an updated revision of the Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter. The present external review draft critically assesses the latest scientific information relative to determining the health and welfare effects associated with exposure to various concentrations of PM in ambient air.
October 19, 1999- Annotated Bibliography Developed for the Graduate Level Introductory GIS Classes Taught at EPA EPA/R-99/088
This document represents a compilation of the bibliographies submitted by the students. The abstracts are presented in alphabetical order, by author, and have only been edited for style, not content. References that were cited by more than one student will appear as duplicates in this document. Each duplicate contains a different student's abstract.
October 15, 1999- National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Carbon Monoxide (Second External Review Draft)
EPA is now issuing a second external review draft of Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide for a 30-day public comment period and for review before the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) later in 1999. This draft contains revisions made in response to public and CASAC review comments on the February 1999 external review draft.
October 12, 1999- Strategy for Research on Environmental Risks to Children (External Peer Review Draft)
The Draft Strategy for Research on Environmental Risks to Children describes the research directions that EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) will follow over the next five years in its Children's Health Program.
September 30, 1999- Summary of the U.S. EPA Workshop on the Relationship Between Exposure Duration and Toxicity EPA/600/R-99/081
Current risk assessment procedures are based on overall daily exposure levels, and tend to emphasize effects resulting from continuous exposure over a lifetime. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Risk Assessment Forum is beginning to examine how dose-duration relationships are or can be incorporated into the risk assessment process for less-than-lifetime exposures.
September 29, 1999- The Second National Conference on Scientific and Technical Data
Conference Announcement and Call for Papers
In conjunction with several federal science agencies, the U.S. National Committee for CODATA is organizing the second national data conference to address important multidisciplinary issues in managing and using scientific and technical (S&T) data, and to improve the visibility of those issues nationally. The main focus will be to promote the availability and usefulness of S&T data to all users, both in research and in the broader society, using examples of ground-breaking and innovative applications and highly creative partnerships.
Note: This web site is no longer available.
August 19, 1999- Toxicological Review of Chloroethane CAS No. 75-00-3
In Support of Summary Information on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
Chloroethane (CE) is a gaseous halohydrocarbon under ambient conditions. Its uses include: a topical analgesic, an anesthetic when mixed with nitrous dioxide or trichloroethane, a degreasing agent, and an agent to blow styrene in foaming operations. Anecdotal human reports indicate that recreational CE sniffing causes neurological disturbances. Nothing is known about chronic oral toxicology in animals or humans.
May 20, 1999- Toxicological Review of Vinyl Chloride, External Review Draft
The purpose of this Toxicological Review is to provide scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment in IRIS pertaining to chronic exposure to vinyl chloride. It is not intended to be a comprehensive treatise on the chemical or toxicological nature of vinyl chloride.
May 12, 1999- Extrapolation of the Benzene Inhalation Unit Risk Estimate to the Oral Route of Exposure
The National Center for Environmental Assessment-Washington Division, Office of Research and Development, prepared this document on the Extrapolation of the Benzene Inhalation Unit Risk Estimate to the Oral Route of Exposure. This document will serve as a source for updating the oral cancer unit risk estimate for benzene in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Given the absence of oral dose-response information, the authors propose a simple method for extrapolating benzene-induced cancer risk from the inhalation to the oral route. The method is based on the relative efficiency of benzene absorption across pulmonary and gastrointestinal barriers. Substantial literature on pulmonary absorption in humans and a few laboratory animal species exists. Data on oral absorption in humans are lacking; hence extrapolation is based on gastrointestinal absorption studies in several experimental animal species. A review of the relevant literature suggests absorption efficiencies of 50% and 100% for inhalation and oral routes of exposure, respectively. Application of these absorption factors to the current inhalation unit risk range of 2.2 X 10-6 to 7.8 X 10-6 per ug/m3 results in a proposed range for the oral unit risk of 4.4 X 10-7 to 1.6 X 10-6/5g/L.
April 30, 1999- Guidance for Conducting Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures, External Scientific Peer Review Draft
This guidance document is intended to reflect the evolution of scientific developments in the area of chemical mixtures risk assessment. Information is organized according to the type of data available to the risk assessor, ranging from data rich to data poor situations. Procedures are described for assessment using data on the mixture of concern, data on a toxicologically related mixture, as well as data on the mixture component chemicals. As new information relevant to health risk from exposure to chemical mixtures becomes available, additional guidance documents will be published.
April 5, 1999- Report of the Workshop on Selecting Input Distributions For Probabilistic Assessments
This policy establishes the Agency's position that such probabilistic analysis techniques as Monte Carlo Analysis, given adequate supporting data and credible assumptions, can be viable statistical tools for analyzing variability and uncertainty in risk assessments. The policy also identifies several implementation activities designed to assist Agency assessors with their review and preparation of probabilistic assessments.
March 19, 1999- Request for Applications for a Cooperative Agreement to Provide Assistance in Cosponsoring a National Conference on Biological Variability within and Between Children from Different U.S. Racial/Ethnicity Groups: Implications for Environmental Risk Assessment
The National Center for Environmental Assessment - Washington Office (NCEA-W), within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), is issuing this "Request for Applications" (RFA) for a cooperative agreement to provide assistance in cosponsoring a national conference that will examine the scientific evidence on the question of the "Biological Variability Within and Between Children From Different U.S. Racial/Ethnicity Groups: Implications for Environmental Risk Assessment."
Note: This web site is no longer available.
March 18, 1999- Cadmium and Compounds External Review Draft
The four documents on this site are the drafts of the IRIS cadmium assessments that will undergo external peer review at a date to be announced at this site and in the Federal Register. The draft documents are: the cancer assessment, the inhalation RfC, the oral RfD, and the Toxicological Review, the latter document supporting the derivation of the former three assessments.
March 18, 1999- Air Quality Criteria for Carbon Monoxide External Review Draft
This document has been superseded by the Second External Review Draft
Recent air quality analyses show that ambient CO concentrations measured at central, fixed-site monitors in metropolitan areas of the United States have decreased significantly since the late 1980s when the last scientific review was completed. The decline in ambient CO follows approximately the decline in motor vehicle emissions. A significantly larger portion of an individual's total CO exposure may come from uncontrolled indoor and outdoor sources. Health assessment provided in this document supports and substantiates the conclusions drawn in the previous document. The greater concern has focused on subpopulations who are particularly susceptible to CO, especially the subpopulation with coronary artery disease.
March 15, 1999- Post Doctoral Positions available in ORD/National Center for Environmental Assessment
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) effort through its Office of Research and Development (ORD) to recruit post-doctoral candidates to fill positions in EPA laboratories and centers, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking post-doctoral candidates from a wide range of disciplines for its divisions in Washington, DC, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Cincinnati, OH.
March 5, 1999- Call for Papers: Conference on Topics in Toxicology and Risk Assessment, April 12-15 1999 UPDATED
Note: This web site is no longer available.
February 18, 1999- Comparative Risk Framework Methodology and Case Study
The U.S. EPA traditionally uses a four step approach, known as the risk assessment paradigm, to assess risks posed by pollutants, whose presence is generally considered not to be beneficial to human health (NAS, 1983). This document's primary goal is to advance a methodology capable of evaluating the interdependent and disparate health outcomes and financial costs of alternative treatment systems. The secondary goal is to highlight the usefulness of the methodology through a case study presented within.
January 29, 1999- Benchmark Dose Software
The source code has been made available in C for programmers for the Benchmark Dose Software. Registration is required.
January 26, 1999- Oxygenates in Water: Critical Information and Research Needs
Identify key issues related to assessing and managing the potential health and environmental risks of oxygenate contamination of water. Oxygenates are chemicals added to fuels ("oxyfuels") to increase the oxygen content and thereby reduce emissions from use of the fuel. This document builds on and extends an earlier report, Oxyfuels Information Needs (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1996), which included water issues but tended to focus more on inhalation health risk issues.
January 21, 1999- Environmental Risk Assessments of Oil and Gas Activities Using National Security and Civilian Data Sources
The national security systems (NSS) of Russia and the United States have been used for more than three decades to monitor each other's military and economic infrastructure. These high-resolution imaging systems can provide unique data for assessing a wide range of environmental issues. In 1993, Vice President Albert Gore (USA) and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin (Russia) held talks on the environmental utility of both nations' classified imagery data. As a result of these meetings, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) was formed in 1995.
January 15, 1999- Perchlorate Environmental Contamination: Toxicological Review and Risk Characterization Based on Emerging Information External Review Draft
The external peer review draft (ERD) of the document entitled Perchlorate Environmental Contamination: Toxicological Review and Risk Characterization Based on Emerging Information has been released to the expert peer review panel and the public. The ERD presents an updated human health risk assessment as well as an ecological assessment of newly performed studies on the toxicity of perchlorate. The human and ecological assessments may be used in the future to support development of a health advisory or a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) and cleanup decisions at hazardous waste sites.
January 11, 1999- First Announcement for Dioxin'99:
19th International Symposium on Halogenated Environmental Organic Pollutants and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Note: This web site is no longer available.
January 4, 1999- Dioxin Exposure Initiative Update
Two of the articles available for downloading from our Dioxin Exposure Initiative web site were "in press" until recently. The papers are now made available though the NCEA web site at https://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/risk/recordisplay.cfm?deid=54886. One is in the trends section and deals with modeling of 2,3,7,8-TCDD body burden, and the other one is in incinerator impacts.
- December 22, 1998
- Benchmark Dose Software
- December 16, 1998
- Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS); Announcement of 1999 Program; Request for Information [FRL-6200-3]
November 16, 1998- Technical Workshop on Issues Associated with Dermal Exposure and Uptake
- November 9, 1998
- Toxicological Review of Benzene (Non-Cancer Effects) Extension of Closing Date to Dec 31, 1998
- October 23, 1998
- Report of the Meeting to Peer-Review "The Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United States
October 9, 1998- Call for Papers: Conference on Topics in Toxicology and Risk Assessment (12-15 April 1999)
NOTE: This web page is no longer available. - October 5, 1998
- Toxicological Review of Benzene (Non-Cancer Effects)
September 24, 1998- Health Effects of Inhaled Crystalline and Amorphous Silica
September 24, 1998- A Case Study of Soils in the United States
- September 2, 1998
- You can now search using EIMS!
- July 28, 1998
- Report on Shrimp Virus Peer Review and Risk Assessment Workshop: Developing a Qualitative Ecological Risk Assessment Draft Final EPA/630/R-98/001A
- July 27, 1998
- President Clinton Names Norine E. Noonan as Assistant Administrator for Research and Development at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
NOTE: This web page is no longer available.
July 22, 1998- Mathematical Statistician Opening, GS-1529-11/12/13/14
NOTE: This web page is no longer available.
July 21, 1998- Technical Workshop on Exposure-Duration and Toxicity Relationships
- June 22, 1998
- Solicitation for Applications for a Cooperative Agreement
Regarding Risk Assessment Meetings, Forums, &Related Events Covering Scientific Risk Assessment Areas Pertinent to the U.S. EPA National Center for Environmental Assessment. NOTE: This web page is no longer available. - June 22, 1998
- Solicitation for Applications for Cooperative Agreements
Regarding Soil Chemistry Issues in the Development of Ecological Soil Screening Levels. NOTE: This web page is no longer available. - June 17, 1998
- Chloroethane Carcinogenicity (CAS No. 75-00-3) EPA/600/R-95/099
Chloroethane (CE; CAS No. 75-00-3) can alkylate cellular constituents but binding studies do not exist. CE is mutagenic in four tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium, plus and minus S9 activating fraction. - June 17, 1998
- Nitrobenzene Carcinogenicity (CAS No. 98-95-3) EPA/600/R-95/100
Nitrobenzene (NB, CAS No. 98-95-3) oxidizes to p-aminophenol and p-nitrophenol in animals and humans, while being reduced also to nitrosobenzene, phenylhydroxylamine, and aniline. The reductants are known to cause methemoglobinemia and anemia. NB is negative for mutagenicity systems in Salmonella, hepatocyte repair, or sister chromatid exchange assays.
June 15, 1998- Research Strategy for Oxygenates in Water EPA/600/P-97/001A
Oxygenates are chemicals added to fuels ("oxyfuels") to increase the oxygen content and thereby reduce certain emissions from use of the fuel. Of the several ethers and alcohols that may serve as oxygenates, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) is the most commonly used. Although the contamination of ground and surface waters by motor vehicle fuels and fuel additives is not a new problem, recent events have focused attention on what appear to be somewhat different characteristics associated with oxyfuels, including the higher solubility and potentially greater persistence of MTBE in ground water than other components of gasoline.
June 10, 1998- FINAL Carcinogenic Effects of Benzene: An Update EPA/600/P-97/001F
The major issue addressed in this document involves the nature and magnitude of the risk of cancer to humans exposed to low levels of benzene. Occupational studies continue to provide the bulk of evidence of benzene's carcinogenicity. Workers are exposed at much higher levels than is the general public. This document verifies that benzene is a known human carcinogen by all routes of exposure. - May 4, 1998
- Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment
These are the first Agency-wide Guidelines for Ecological Risk Assessment. The Guidelines expand on and replace the 1992 report Framework for Ecological Risk Assessment, maintaining the same structure for the ecological risk assessment process: problem formulation, analysis, and risk characterization. The Guidelines emphasize that the interface between risk assessors, risk managers, and interested parties is critical for ensuring that the results of the assessment can be used to support a management decision. - April 27, 1998
- The Inventory of Sources of Dioxin in the United States
March 31, 1998- Exposure Factors Handbook Volume I, II, III
The Exposure Factors Handbook provides a summary of the available statistical data on various factors used in assessing human exposure. This Handbook is addressed to exposure assessors inside the Agency as well as outside, who need to obtain data on standard factors needed to calculate human exposure to toxic chemicals. These factors include: drinking water consumption, soil ingestion, inhalation rates, dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors, consumption of fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, dairy products, homegrown foods, breast milk intake, human activity factors, consumer product use, and residential characteristics. - March 27, 1998
- Health Assessment Document for Diesel Emissions, SAB Review Draft
The US. EPA has prepared a draft assessment of the possible health hazards from human exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions. This 1998 draft assessment is an update of a December 1994 draft assessment that was reviewed in 1995 by the Agency's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC). The 1998 assessment focuses on health hazards (hazard identification and dose-response analysis for the purpose of recommending measures of risk/hazard), and also provides background information about diesel engine emissions that is useful for putting the health information into context. - March 26, 1998
- Assessment of Thyroid Follicular Cell Tumors
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) conducts risk assessments on chemicals for carcinogenicity under the guidance provided in its cancer risk assessment guidelines (U.S. EPA, 1986a; 1996). From time to time scientific developments prompt the Agency to reexamine procedures that are generally applied. That is the case with the review of some chemicals that have produced thyroid follicular cell tumors in experimental animals. The purpose of the Risk Assessment Forum report Assessment of Thyroid Follicular Cell Tumors (EPA/630/R-97-002) is to describe the procedures U.S. EPA will use to evaluate these tumors and the data that are needed to make these judgments.
March 13, 1998- Call for Papers: GIS in Public Health 3rd National Conference
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), with institutional cosponsors and partnerships with California State University at Fresno, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bureau of the Census, US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the US Geological Survey (USGS), the American Public Health Association (APHA), the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), and the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA), is sponsoring a GIS in Public Health conference August 18-20, 1998, in San Diego, California. San Diego State University will host the conference. This conference will highlight innovative applications of GIS (geographic information systems) and spatial analysis techniques for the protection of public health and the environment.
March 6, 1998- Dioxins and Related Compounds
A substantial new homepage describing NCEA's Dioxin Reassessment efforts can now be found on the EPA Dioxin Web site or it can be easily accessed from the RISK homepage (under the title, Risk Assessments). Linked to the Dioxin Reassessment homepage is a second page which provides a detailed description of a research program being conducted jointly by NCEA and OPPTS titled, the Dioxin Exposure Initiative (www.epa.gov/ncea/dei.htm). Begun in 1994, the fundamental goal of the initiative is to quantitatively link dioxin sources to general population exposures. This is accomplished through a variety of projects which involve, for example, source measurements, environmental media and national food surveys, and fate and transport modeling. - March 5, 1998
- Post Doctoral Positions available in ORD/National Center for Environmental Assessment
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) effort through its Office of Research and Development (ORD) to recruit 50 post-doctoral candidates to fill positions in EPA laboratories and centers, the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) is seeking post-doctoral candidates from a wide range of disciplines for its divisions in Washington, DC, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Cincinnati, OH. - February 11, 1998
- Health Risk Assessment of 1,3-Butadiene
- January 28, 1998
- Cancer Guidelines Implementation: Setting Priorities for Future Assessments of Chemicals/Agents (Draft) (attachment to the Federal Register of 1-28-98).
- December 15, 1997
- Minutes of the Stakeholder Meetings on the Report of the JSA Shrimp Virus Work Group
November 21, 1997- Research Strategy for Oxygenates in Water (Workshop Review Draft)
October 17, 1997- Congressional Links - FY 1998 EPA Appropriations Bill For easy access to Congressional Internet pages with information about the FY98 EPA Appropriations Bill including the Conference Report, House and Senate Committee Reports and Bill text versions.
September 12, 1997- Chemical and Radiation Leukemogenesis in Humans and Rodents and the Value of Rodent Models for Assessing Risks of Lymphohematopoietic Cancers (EPA/600/R-97/090, May 1997)
August 26, 1997- Air Quality Criteria for Ozone and Related Photochemical Oxidants - Vols I, II and III
August 26, 1997- Wildlife Exposure Handbook Volume II of II
August 14, 1997- Air Quality Criteria for Particulate Matter- Vols I, II and III
August 11, 1997- Dermal workshop
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July 30, 1997 - Congressional Links - FY 1998 EPA Appropriations Bill For easy access to Congressional Internet pages with information about the FY98 EPA Appropriations Bill including Committee Reports and Bill text versions.
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June 30, 1997 - DRAFT Carcinogenic Effects of Benzene: An Update (FRL-5850-7) and Carcinogenic Effects Of Benzene: An Update (EPA/600/P-97/001A)
June 25, 1997- ORD Research Priorities
June 17, 1997- Watershed Ecological Risk Assessments
June 9, 1997- Dioxin '97 (August 25-29, 1997)The 17Th International Symposium On Chlorinated Dioxins And Related Compounds. NOTE: This web page is no longer available.
June 5, 1997- Priorities for Ecological Protection: An Initial List and Discussion Document for EPA (EPA/600/S-97/002, January 1997)
May 29, 1997- Wildlife Exposure Factors Handbook, Volume I of II
May 23, 1997- Policy for Use of Probabilistic Analysis in Risk Assessment and the Guiding Principles for Monte Carlo Analysis(EPA/630/R-97/001) The Science Policy Council has endorsed the Agency Policy for Use of Probabilistic Analysis in Risk Assessment and the Guiding Principles for Monte Carlo Analysis (EPA/630/R-97/001) are now available. These documents were prepared by a workgroup consisting of members of the Risk Assessment Forum and the Science Policy Council Steering Committee.
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