5222.0: Wednesday, October 24, 2001 - 4:45 PM

Abstract #28449

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): Report on Carcinogens

Eula Bingham, PhD, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, PO Box 670056, Kettering Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0001, 513-558-5728, Eula.Bingham@uc.edu

The people of the United States, concerned about the relationships between their environment and cancer, asked, through the U.S. Congress, for information about substances that are known or likely to cause cancer. The Report is an informational scientific and public health document that identifies and discusses these relationships. Prepared by the National Toxicology Program, the Report identifies substances (such as metals, pesticides, drugs, and natural and synthetic chemicals, and mixtures or exposure circumstances) that are "known" or are "reasonably anticipated" to cause cancer in humans, and to which a significant number of Americans are exposed. The Report was ordered by Congress in 1978 to educate both the public and health professionals in the recognition that many cancers were apparently induced by chemicals in the home, workplace, general environment, and from use of certain drugs. The criteria for inclusion in the Report were designed to integrate human, experimental animal, and mechanistic data into science based identifications of human cancer hazards. The Report includes data on (1) the carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and biologic mechanisms of the listed substances, (2) the potential for exposure to these substances, and (3) the regulations promulgated by Federal agencies to limit exposures. As a hazard identification document, the Report does not present quantitative assessments of carcinogenic risk. The goal of this discussion on the Report, the criteria, and review process for listing or delisting, is to encourage feedback that will enhance the impact, quality, and usefulness of the Report to the public health community.

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 do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 129th Annual Meeting of APHA