EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) “is an electronic data base containing information on human health effects that may result from exposure to various chemicals in the environment.” IRIS values are hazard – not risk – values that are often cited or used in other chemical safety evaluations, by EPA, federal agencies, states, and a […]
Tag Archives: IRIS
Fixing EPA’s chemical assessment program – Latest reviews show IRIS is still a work in progress
It’s hard to believe but this year marks the fifth anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) 2011 report on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program. The report identified systemic problems and offered sweeping recommendations to overhaul the program. So what has happened in the five years since the […]
Grappling with uncertainty: New paper offers a better approach
As Donald Rumsfeld taught us, how you handle and communicate what you don’t know is just as important as dealing with what you do know. A new paper recently published by the scientific journal Environment International offers several different ways to help better address the uncertainty conundrum when it comes to sharing the results of […]
Had we been given the opportunity, here’s what we would have offered the NIEHS on its new NTP RoC Handbook
One way in which the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) National Toxicology Program (NTP) could demonstrate its commitment to transparency is by seeking public comment on its guidance documents prior to finalizing and implementing them. Not only would this help NTP to develop a robust approach, but it would also allow outside experts, […]
IRIS progress report details key improvements, but the bar must be raised higher
According to a May 2015 progress report to Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) is better off than it was a year ago, but not as effective as it needs to be to deliver timely, high-quality and credible chemical risk assessments. EPA does deserve credit, first and foremost, for following […]
Evaluating the evidence: an expert view on improving one of EPA’s key chemical assessment programs
A collective effort has been underway the past few years to encourage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deliver more timely and credible chemical assessments under its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), a program that continues to face scrutiny from regulators, scientists, and industry. A recent report from the National Research Council (NRC) acknowledged that […]
Two keys to a stronger chemical assessment program: Planning for success and avoiding pitfalls
This week’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) workshop on the National Research Council’s (NRC) recommendations for improving federal chemical assessments gives the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) an opportunity to build on the progress it has already made in creating a sound, more transparent, and objective assessment program. While the agenda for the workshop covers […]
Successful chemical assessment programs allow the science to speak for itself
Everyone who is committed to producing better and timely chemical assessments would agree objectivity is one of the hallmarks of a sound assessment program. Objectivity is particularly important when it comes to evaluating studies and results that will form the foundation for a chemical assessment. To ensure a strong foundation, these studies and results must […]
Putting all the pieces together: ACC helps improve chemical risk assessments
Most would agree that credible, science-based assessments of the potential risks from chemical exposures are necessary for providing both regulators and the regulated community with a useful summary of the science on certain chemicals. Very often these assessments underpin product stewardship and regulatory actions taken to protect human health and the environment. When creating chemical […]
State of the Science (Part 3 of 3): Dr. Melvin Andersen Q&A on EPA formaldehyde workshop
Following the completion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) state-of-the-science workshop on formaldehyde inhalation last month, the American Chemistry Council’s Formaldehyde Panel invited the co-chairs of three workshop sessions to offer their thoughts on some of the key discussions that took place. You can check out our first […]
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