NTP is a multi-agency federal program aimed at providing relevant, high quality scientific information to public health professionals tasked with protecting US citizens. The NTP is expanding its research capacity to focus on many of the molecular precursors to human diseases with the intention of strengthening the scientific basis for our present animal testing program, providing faster means to address the potential for toxicity from the tens of thousands of agents in commerce, and to provide quantitative data for direct estimation of human risks through mechanism-based toxicology. While cancer remains a primary area of NTP concern, our programs in developmental and reproductive toxicity will be strengthened substantially. The NTP is also partnering with the National Center for Toxicogenomics (NCT) to explore the use of gene chips and proteomics in chronic toxicity testing and in basic research. The NCT, established by the NIEHS this year, will serve as an international repository for genomics and proteomics data with direct linkage to NTP databases for easy assessment of linkages that bear further scrutiny. The NTP has also started a number of new focus areas for further research and testing including endocrine active compounds, herbal supplements, and phototoxicity. Finally, the NTP is developing methods to strengthen core programs such as the Report on Carcinogens, the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction, and the NTP Center for the Evaluation and Validation of Alternative Methods. These initiatives will be discussed and comments sought from the meeting participants. See www.niehs.nih.gov and http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov
Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1) Discuss four NIEHS and NTP priority areas of environmental health research and their impact on risk assessments; 2) Participate further in determining research directions of both the NIEHS and the NTP and in selecting chemicals through public input, comment and/or nomination of chemicals for study and review; 3) Participate on panels, committees, boards, councils that provide oversight and review of these programs, as appropriate and as qualified."
Keywords: Environmental Health, Risk Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Director, Environmental Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
and
Associate Director, National Toxicology Program