IRIS Assessments on Hold pending EPA review.
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Press Release Summary:
U.S. EPA is holding 4 of its ongoing IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) assessments pending review of underlying studies used therein. Assessments are being held due to National Toxicology Program (NTP) report that outlines review of research study completed by Ramazzini Institute. Report, which discusses findings from assessment by NTP pathologists of animal study on methanol, recommends further pathology reviews to resolve differences of opinion in diagnoses of certain cancers.
Original Press Release:
EPA Places Four IRIS Assessments on Hold Pending Review
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is holding four of its ongoing IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) assessments pending a review of some of the underlying studies used in the assessments. EPA conducts IRIS assessments to determine the impact of specific chemicals on human health.
EPA is holding these assessments due to a report from the National Toxicology Program (NTP) that outlines a recent review of a research study completed by the Ramazzini Institute, a lab in Italy that conducts animal testing to evaluate the potential cancer-causing effects of chemicals. The report discusses findings from a recent assessment by NTP pathologists of an animal study on methanol. NTP's report recommends that further pathology reviews be carried out to resolve differences of opinion between NTP scientists and the Ramazzini Institute in the diagnoses of certain cancers reported in the study.
Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the agency's chemical assessments are grounded in the soundest possible science, EPA undertook a thorough review of all ongoing and previous chemical assessments to determine which, if any, relied substantially on cancer testing from the Ramazzini Institute.
EPA found six assessments that significantly rely on data from Ramazzini cancer studies:
EPA will continue its review to determine if any other assessments are significantly impacted.
CONTACT:
Latisha Petteway
petteway.latisha@epa.gov
202-564-3191
202-564-4355