The EPA is looking for the next substance(s) to be considered for IRIS assessment. The program, given new life since falling behind during the previous administration, has been playing catch-up with the chemicals already on its list, but that apparently doesn't preclude looking to make that list longer. The agency is soliciting public nominations for chemical substances for its 2011 agenda, and invites the public to submit nominations for substances to be considered for an assessment or reassessment in its IRIS Program.

The program evaluates quantitative and qualitative risk information on effects that may result from exposure to specific chemical substances found in the environment, with the ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive database of all substances.

Today's notice invites voluntary public nominations for chemical substances not already listed (for that list, click the link below). The notice also invites comments on assessments on the current IRIS agenda. A form for submittal is provided in the Federal Register notice (again, below).

A Government Accountability Office report in May 2008 warned that the IRIS database was in serious risk of becoming obsolete due to neglect, and then didn't take too kindly to the agency's response about workload complaints. A report in June 2009 noted the program was back on track under President Obama, but noted that there's plenty of work to go.

Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 17, 2010.

SOURCE: Federal Register