2012
WORKSHOP: "Enhancing Science and Policy for Chemical Risk Assessments" was co-hosted by NCAC, the George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center and Center for Risk Science and Public Health, the American Chemistry Council, and the Administrative Conference of the United States on October 23, 2012. Discussion built on recent reports from the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Keystone Group and focused on data evaluation, data integration, and peer review. The workshop contributed to an Administrative Conference of the United States project focused on best practices for the use of science in the administrative process. The workshop was led by subject-matter experts from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, and stakeholder organizations. Visit http://www.regulatorystudies.
"Estimation of cancer risks and benefits associated with a potential increased consumption of fruits and vegetables" presentation by Dr. Rick Reiss was co-hosted by the USDA ORACBA Forum and the NCAC Chapter on September 25, 2012. This presentation provided an analysis of the potential number of cancer cases that might be prevented if half the U.S. population increased its fruit and vegetable consumption by one serving each per day. This number is contrasted with an upper-bound estimate of concomitant cancer cases that might be theoretically attributed to the intake of pesticide residues arising from the same additional fruit and vegetable consumption. The cancer prevention estimates were derived using a published meta-analysis of nutritional epidemiology studies. The cancer risks were estimated using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methods, cancer potency estimates from rodent bioassays, and pesticide residue sampling data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The resulting estimates are that approximately 20,000 cancer cases per year could be prevented by increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, while up to 10 cancer cases per year could be caused by the added pesticide consumption. These estimates have significant uncertainties (e.g., potential residual confounding in the fruit and vegetable epidemiologic studies and reliance on rodent bioassays for cancer risk). However, the overwhelming difference between benefit and risk estimates provides confidence that consumers should not be concerned about cancer risks from consuming conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables.
Dr. Reiss is a principal scientist at Exponent. He is an environmental health scientist with expertise in risk assessment, exposure assessment, environmental chemistry and fate, mathematical modeling, and applied statistics.
SHORT COURSE: "Public Health Risk Science and Management" was held at George Washington University, Washington, DC on 18-20 September 2012. This three-day course by the Center for Risk Science and Public Health at The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services (SPHHS) gave participants a thorough grasp of how to understand, characterize, and communicate about health risks—and apply that knowledge to policy decisions. SPHHS faculty members, along with lecturers with experience at federal agencies and other organizations, addressed the science and theory that inform risk analysis and management. Participants learned about the scientific tools that help us measure and characterize risk, including toxicology, epidemiology, and exposure assessment. They explored methods for characterizing, communicating about, and analyzing risk. Case studies were presented on food safety, energy sources, plasticizers in children’s toys, and other topics applying these approaches to some of today’s most pressing issues.
The course was directed by Dr. George Gray, Director, Center for Risk Science and Public Health Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University, School of Public Health and Health Services. For more information please click here.
"Reclaiming Health and Safety: A Report on Current Health and Safety Legislation to the UK Government" was held on May 17, 2012 from 6:30pm-8:00pm, at George Washington University. The event was co-sponsored by USDA Office of Risk Assessment and Cost-Benefit Analysis’ Risk Forum. Professor Ragnar E. Lofstedt of Kings College London discussed his independent review of health and safety legislation commissioned by the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions.
"Managing for a Healthy and Sustainable Chesapeake Bay: Human and Ecological Risk" was held on April 23-24, 2012 at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Event was co-sponsored by the Chesapeake-Potomac Regional Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. The two-day meeting brought together professionals and students from a wide variety of fields to present their research and to discuss our evolving understanding of the Bay and its current state of health and functioning. Speakers included SETAC-NA President Dr. Barnett Rattner; Secretary of SRA Dr. Christina McLaughlin; and Ms. Katherine Wallace Antos of the Chesapeake Bay Program Office, U.S. EPA.
"Moving Forward with IRIS Reform: Implementing the National Academies' Roadmap for Revisions" was held at a GW University on April 18, 2012 from 6-8pm. Panelists were Lynn Goldman, Dean of the School of Public Health and Health Services and Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University; Yiliang Zhu, Professor, University of South Florida and Committee Member, National Research Council Committee to Review EPA's Draft IRIS Assessment of Formaldehyde; Heidi R. King, Chief Economist, House Energy and Commerce Committee; Chuck Elkins, President, Chuck Elkins & Associates and Former Director of the Toxic Substances Program at the EPA; and Becky Clark, Acting Director of the National Center for Environmental Assessment at EPA. The panel discussed the National Research Council's “roadmap for revisions” in their 2011 review of EPA's draft Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessment of formaldehyde. The panel also examined the key factors to consider for effective implementation, what factors, if any, the roadmap failed to address, and the current responses of both EPA and Congress.
"Emerging Risks of Synthetic Biology", February 28 at the George Washington University Law School, Environmental Law Program. Panelists Theresa Good (NSF), Todd Kuiken (Wilson Center), Eric Hoffman (Friends of the Earth), Jennifer Kuzma, (University of Minnesota), and Lynn L. Bergeson (Bergeson & Campbell) presented on topics related to environmental risk, oversight and governance, public funding sources, the DIY Bio community, and regulatory mechanisms. This event was one of the highlights of the year. Over 60 people from government, think tanks, and the private sector attended; a follow on event to engage more stakeholders and explore additional themes is planned.
*"Managing Nuclear Risk: Perception of Risks, Trust in Science and Government, Lessons from Fukushima, and the Growing Gap Between Policy and Politics of Waste Disposal*, January 26th, 2012, 6-8 pm. LOCATION: George Washington University, Media and Public Affairs Building, Room B07, 805 21st Street, NW (21st & H), Washington, DC 20052.
PANEL: Dr. Michael Greenberg (confirmed); Dr. Warner North (confirmed); Dr. Roger Kasperson (*invited*); Dr. Tom Cochran (*invited*). Moderator: Dr. Tee Guidotti"