Epa Science New Assessment Process Further Limits The Credibility And Timeliness Of Epas Assessments Of Toxic Chemicals

The EPA¿s 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) highlights of a report, ¿Chemical Assessments: Low Productivity and New Interagency Review Process Limit the Usefulness and Credibility of EPA¿s IRIS:¿; (2) key aspects of EPA¿s revised IRIS assessment process; and (3) progress EPA has made in completing assessments in FY 2008. Charts and tables.