NAS Review of Integrated Risk Information System

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) will conduct a comprehensive review of the agency’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program’s assessment development process. In April 2011, NAS recommended several ways to improve the development of IRIS assessments. EPA is implementing these recommendations using a phased approach. Future draft IRIS assessments released for public comment and peer review will reflect implementing NAS recommendations.

NAS will conduct a review of the IRIS assessment development process and the changes that are currently being made or planned by EPA in response to NAS’ April 2011 recommendations. NAS will also review current methods for weight of evidence analyses and recommend approaches for weighing scientific evidence for chemical hazard identification.

EPA’s IRIS program provides health profiles of chemicals to which the public may be exposed from releases to air, water, and land and through the use and disposal of chemicals. IRIS assessments inform EPA rulemakings, and the release of final IRIS assessments is consistent with EPA efforts to improve health and protect the environment.

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