The EPA Integrated Risk Info. System (IRIS) contains EPA's scientific position on the potential human health effects of exposure to more than 540 chemicals. Toxicity assessments in the IRIS database constitute the first two critical steps of the risk assessment process. Thus, IRIS is a critical component of EPA's capacity to support scientifically sound environmental decisions, policies, and regulations. This testimony discusses: (1) the findings from a March 2008 report ¿Chemical Assessments: Low Productivity and New Interagency Review Process Limit the Usefulness and Credibility of EPA's Integrated Risk Info. System¿ and related testimonies; and (2) a preliminary evaluation of the revised IRIS assessment process EPA issued on May 21, 2009.

Risk assessment has become a dominant public policy tool for making choices, based on limited resources, to protect public health and the environment. It has been instrumental to the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as other federal agencies in evaluating public health concerns, informing regulatory and technological decisions, prioritizing research needs and funding, and in developing approaches for cost-benefit analysis. However, risk assessment is at a crossroads. Despite advances in the field, risk assessment faces a number of significant challenges including lengthy delays in making complex decisions; lack of data leading to significant uncertainty in risk assessments; and many chemicals in the marketplace that have not been evaluated and emerging agents requiring assessment. Science and Decisions makes practical scientific and technical recommendations to address these challenges. This book is a complement to the widely used 1983 National Academies book, Risk Assessment in the Federal Government (also known as the Red Book). The earlier book established a framework for the concepts and conduct of risk assessment that has been adopted by numerous expert committees, regulatory agencies, and public health institutions. The new book embeds these concepts within a broader framework for risk-based decision-making. Together, these are essential references for those working in the regulatory and public health fields.

This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. The EPA is authorized under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to obtain information on the risks of chemicals and to control those that it determines to pose an unreasonable risk. EPA also conducts assessments of chemicals under its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program. Nonetheless, EPA does not have sufficient information to determine whether it should establish controls to limit public exposure to many chemicals that may pose substantial health risks. This testimony addresses EPA's implementation of TSCA and IRIS and options for: (1) obtaining more information on chemical risks; (2) controlling these risks; and (3) sharing more of the information collected under TSCA. Illustrations.

"With the passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act on June 22, 2016, the main body of chemical management law in the United States changed dramatically. This guide summarizes the new law, highlights the changes that will have the greatest impact, and offers pertinent analysis on the implementation of the new law."--

EPA Chemical Assessments: Process Reforms Offer the Potential to Address Key Problems