Cancer Guidelines

EPA's Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment are intended to aid scientists in assessing the possible cancer risks caused by exposure to pollutants in the environment. Released in March 2005, the revised Cancer Guidelines integrate recent advances in scientists' understanding of the processes involved in the development of cancer.

The Cancer Guidelines were developed to promote high technical quality and Agency-wide consistency in assessing the cancer risk posed by environmental contaminants. The Guidelines were also meant to inform decision-makers and the public on the processes EPA uses in assessing possible health effects, thereby providing the transparency needed to permit the public to actively engage in a dialogue with the EPA about the risk assessments it develops.

The companion document, Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens focuses on assessing the effects of exposure to potential carcinogens prenatally and during childhood.

Related Links

• Complete list of EPA's risk assessment guidelines

History
The Cancer Guidelines and Supplemental Guidance were subjected to extensive public comment and scientific peer review, including multiple reviews by EPA's Science Advisory Board (SAB).

Mar 2005	EPA published final Cancer Guidelines and Supplemental Guidance.
2004/5	In response (PDF, 40 K, 7p) to a Science Advisory Board (SAB) recommendation, EPA extended the analysis supporting the Supplemental Guidance. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, peer reviewed this analysis and accepted it for publication. A separate peer review of this analysis was also conducted.
Mar 2004	EPA received SAB comments (PDF, 348 K, 40 p) on the Supplemental Guidance.
Mar 2003	EPA released Draft Final Cancer Guidelines and Draft Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens to the SAB for public comment.
Nov 2001	EPA solicited public comment on the finalized Cancer Guidelines and extended the opportunity to provide additional information and comment (66 FR 59593, November 29, 2001). This Notice also identified the July 1999 Draft Revised Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment as interim guidance pending issuance of final guidelines.
July 1999	The SAB and Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee reviewed the Draft Final Revised Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment for their protection of children.
Jan 1999	The SAB reviewed revisions of key sections of the proposed guidelines per previous SAB and public comments.
1997	The proposed guidelines underwent SAB review.
1996	EPA published the Proposed Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment for public comment.
1986	Publication of the first Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment.
1976	EPA issued Interim Procedures and Guidelines for Health Risk Assessments of Suspected Carcinogens

Best Resources

U.S. EPA. Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment (2005). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/630/P-03/001F, 2005.

U.S. EPA. Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early-Life Exposure to Carcinogens. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/630/R-03/003F, 2005.

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