September’s EPA workshops scheduled to evaluate the latest science on hexavalent chromium (see item above) are part of extensive, ongoing efforts to enhance EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). On July 31, EPA announced specific steps it will be taking to “improve the scientific integrity of assessments, improve the productivity of the Program, and increase transparency so issues are identified and debated early in the process.”
The major enhancements to IRIS are in response to widespread stakeholder and Congressional criticism of the program. Key enhancements to the program include earlier and more proactive public engagement of stakeholders to identify issues of potential concern, while also implementing new “stopping rules” that establish stricter deadlines for identification of new materials to be considered in an evaluation. Documents produced by the IRIS program will be issued in a format that is “clearer, more concise, and more systematic.” A more rigorous peer review process, including stricter conflict of interest protocols, is also outlined.
Additional information on the IRIS enhancements is available at EPA’s IRIS website.