The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a draft scientific report responding to the National Academy of Sciences recommendations regarding EPA’s 2003 draft Dioxin Reassessment. This report will undergo external peer review and public comment in order for EPA to update and complete its comprehensive assessment of dioxin exposure and human health effects. The report, released May 21, contains new analyses of potential cancer and noncancer endpoints for human health effects that may result from exposure to dioxin and so-called “dioxin-like compounds”—a group of chemicals that include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs). It also includes an oral reference dose for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), which is considered to be the most toxic of the dioxin-like compounds.
Integral’s toxicologists are reviewing the report and assessing the implications of the draft reassessment. For more information about this document and dioxin reassessment topics, contact Dr. Russell Keenan at rkeenan@integral-corp.com or Larry Marx at lmarx@integral-corp.com.
