In the September 24 issue of
Chemical and Engineering News, Cheryl Hogue reports on the EPA's system of handling
suspected toxic chemicals. The EPA has developed what they call an Integrated
Risk Information System (IRIS) and the
National Research Council is reviewing IRIS at the request of Congress. IRIS intends to determine for each chemical a
scientifically-based judgment on the maximum human exposure to the chemical that
will not cause adverse health effects.
Simultaneously, the EPA has decided to consider toxicity information supplied by industry and others, rather than make a decision concerning acceptability of a chemical for public use only on the basis of its own data.
I don't see what the NRC hopes to accomplish by reviewing IRIS. Obviously every regulation and control should be questioned, but I don't see anything special about IRIS that would require a separate Congressional action. It seems satisfactory to me.
In addition, I applaud the EPA for taking a more open attitude in considering information from outside the agency.
Simultaneously, the EPA has decided to consider toxicity information supplied by industry and others, rather than make a decision concerning acceptability of a chemical for public use only on the basis of its own data.
I don't see what the NRC hopes to accomplish by reviewing IRIS. Obviously every regulation and control should be questioned, but I don't see anything special about IRIS that would require a separate Congressional action. It seems satisfactory to me.
In addition, I applaud the EPA for taking a more open attitude in considering information from outside the agency.
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