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

Book excerpt: 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.