Press Releases

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  • NIEHS News Release: (13 March 2008) Rodent Study Finds Artificial Butter Chemical Harmful to Lungs
A new study shows that exposure to a chemical called diacetyl, a component of artificial butter flavoring, can be harmful to the nose and airways of mice. Scientists at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, conducted the study because diacetyl has been implicated in causing obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) in humans. OB is a debilitating but rare lung disease, which has been detected recently in workers who inhale significant concentrations of the flavoring in microwave popcorn packaging plants.

When laboratory mice inhaled diacetyl vapors for three months, they developed lymphocytic bronchiolitis - a potential precursor of OB. None of the mice, however, were diagnosed with OB.
  • NIEHS News Release: (14 February 2008) NIH Collaborates with EPA to Improve the Safety Testing of Chemicals

New Strategy Aims to Reduce Reliance on Animal Testing. Testing the safety of chemicals ranging from pesticides to household cleaners will benefit from new technologies and a plan for collaboration, according to federal scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who today announced a new toxicity testing agreement. The concept behind this agreement is highlighted in the Feb. 15, 2008 issue of the journal Science.

  • NIEHS News Release: (14 February 2008) NIH/EPA Leading Scientists to Discuss New Chemical Testing Collaboration

On February 14, leading scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will discuss a new research collaboration related to U.S. environmental health protection. The collaboration creates a toxicity testing process using state-of-the-art robotic technologies that rely less on animals and more on cell-based tests and will generate data that are specifically applicable to humans.

A new plan to further reduce, refine and replace the use of animals in research and regulatory testing commonly referred to as the 3Rs was unveiled today at a symposium marking the 10-year anniversary of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM). The plan identifies priority areas for research, development, translation, and validation activities necessary to achieve regulatory acceptance of alternative test methods. A cornerstone of the federal government's five-year plan is the formation of partnerships with industry and other national and international stakeholders to achieve measurable progress.

The five-year plan was developed over a 12-month period with multiple opportunities for input, including a public Town Meeting held in June 2006. The NICEATM-ICCVAM Five-Year Plan is available electronically at http://iccvam.niehs.nih.gov/docs/5yearplan.htm
  • NIEHS Press Release: (15 June 2007) NTP announces the appointment of Dr. John R. Bucher as the new associate director of the National Toxicology Program.
John Bucher, Ph.D., will serve as the new associate director of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and will begin managing the day-to-day operations of the program on June 18. The NTP is an interagency program with the mission to coordinate, conduct and communicate toxicological research across the U.S. government.
  • NIEHS News Advisory: (26 February 2007) Independent Panel to Evaluate Widely Used Chemical, Bisphenol A
An independent panel of 15 scientists convened by the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), of the NIEHS and National Toxicology Program, will review recent scientific data and reach conclusions regarding whether or not exposure to a commonly used chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA) is hazardous to human development or reproduction.

Details about the meeting, including panelists and agenda, are posted on the NTP website http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/news/fedreg/fr-12-12-06.pdf
  • NIEHS Press Release: (31 January 2005) The National Toxicology Program announces the release of the 11th Report on Carcinogens

    The Department of Health and Human Services released its Eleventh Edition of the Report on Carcinogens today, adding seventeen substances to the growing list of cancer-causing agents, bringing the total to 246. For the first time ever, viruses are listed in the report: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and some human papillomaviruses that cause common sexually transmitted diseases. Other new listings include lead and lead compounds, X-rays, compounds found in grilled meats, and a host of substances used in textile dyes, paints and inks.

    See Federal Register Notice

  • NIEHS Press Release: (11 December 2002) The National Toxicology Program announces the release of the 10th Report on Carcinogens.

    The federal government today published its biennial Report on Carcinogens, adding steroidal estrogens used in estrogen replacement therapy and oral contraceptives to its official list of "known" human carcinogens. This and 15 other new listings bring the total of substances in the report, "known" or "reasonably anticipated" to pose a cancer risk, to 228.

    See Federal Register Notice

  • NIEHS Press Release: (11 February 2002) Federal Government Reports Progress in Using Fewer Animals, More Humane Tests for Product Safety Evaluations

    How's the federal government doing in its effort to reduce the use of animals in tests by finding alternative testing methods? An annual report made available today points to regulatory acceptance of new testing methods that reduce animal use in assessing whether industrial and consumer products can cause allergic skin reactions, acute poisoning or chemical burns. (See Federal Register Notice)

  • NIEHS Press Release: (24 July 2001) NTP Plans to Look at Common Viruses, Radiation, Cooking by-Products for New Carcinogen Report

    The National Toxicology Program announced today it plans to review three viruses, three forms of radiation, two substances formed in cooking, and a variety of industrial exposures for possible listing in the eleventh edition of the federal Report on Carcinogens, which will be published in 2004. (See Federal Register Notice)

  • NIEHS Press Release: (10 July 2001) U.S., Vietnamese Scientists to Jointly Look at Agent Orange Effects

  • NIEHS Press Release: (22 March 2001) Federal Government Makes Final Call for Data, Public Comment Before Writing New Report on Cancer-Causing Substances

    Do estrogens, wood dust, a common solvent called trichloroethylene, the flavoring under some circumstances? The National Toxicology Program, headquartered at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, today sought final public comments and data on these and several other substances and exposures before recommending whether to list them as human carcinogens in the federal government's tenth and newest Report on Carcinogens. (See Federal Register Notice)

  • NIEHS Press Release: (25 January 2001) NTP Completes 500TH Two-Year Rodent Study and Report; Series is the Gold Standard of Animal Toxicology

    The 500th report is on ordinary naphthalene, the principle ingredient in mothballs and the familiar odor in millions of closets filled with winter's woolens. It is also used as a restroom deodorizer.

  • NIEHS Press Release: (19 January 2001) TCDD - Dioxin -- is Listed as 'Known Human Carcinogen' in Federal Government's Ninth Report On Carcinogens

    The National Toxicology Program announced today the publication of an addendum to its Ninth Report on Carcinogens that adds 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, also known as TCDD or Dioxin, to the list of substances "known to be human carcinogens."

  • NIEHS Press Release: (5 December 2000) Wood Dust, Talc, Estrogens, And Nickel Alloys Among Substances Being Reviewed for Inclusion in Report on Carcinogens

    Wood dust produced in furniture and cabinet manufacture, and common talc are among the substances being considered for listing in the next federal Report on Carcinogens. To assist the National Toxicology Program in preparing the report, a group of scientific advisers will review the proposed substances Dec. 13-15 at the Wyndham City Center, 1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.

  • NIEHS Press Release: (11 October 2000) Public and Scientific Comment Sought on Expert Panel on the Possible Human Reproductive Effects of Seven Phthalates

  • NIEHS Press Release: (1 September 2000) Study Demonstrates Exposure of People to Phthalates

  • NIEHS Press Release: (1 August 2000) American Public Health Association Plans Rall Award for Science-Based Advocacy

  • NIEHS Press Release: (14 July 2000) Panel Expresses Concern About DEHP, A Plasticizer, As Used in Medical Devices for Ill Newborns

  • NIEHS Press Release: (16 May 2000) Peer Review Set for NTP Studies May 18; Discussion May 24 on recommendations for Animal Studies on DNA-Based Therapies, Herbs, Emissions from Cellular Phones

  • NIEHS Press Release: (15 May 2000) Fact Sheet: The Report on Carcinogens - 9th Edition

  • USGS Press Release: (29 March 2000) Multi-Agency X-Ray Studies Shed Light on Frog Defomities

    Study of bone changes found in malformed frogs shows that both time- and location-specific environmental events may influence the development of these malformations, according to a large multi-agency effort involving the USGS National Wildlife Health Center, University of Wisconsin Department of Anatomy, NIH-National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Key to accomplishing this multi-agency work was a Memorandum of Understanding between NIEHS and USGS (March 29, 2000).

  • NIEHS Press Release: (21 March 2000) EPA, OSHA and CPSC Accept Non-Animal System for Screening Chemicals - Skin Corrosiveness

    Major federal regulatory agencies - the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission - have agreed to accept chemical safety data from a synthetic skin test in lieu of an animal test, the National Toxicology Program announced today (March 21, 2000).

  • NIEHS Press Release: (28 December 1999) FDA, EPA, OSHA and CPSC Accept Alternative Test for Allergic Contact Dermatitis Following Review, Approval by an Independent Scientific Panel

  • NIEHS Press Release: (17 December 1999) Cancer Review Set for Nine Substances, Three Used to Make Materials Less Flammable

    "The National Toxicology Program Board of Scientific Counselors subcommittee on the Report on Carcinogens will meet Jan. 20 and 21 in Arlington, Va., for a public scientific review of nine substances -- including three used to make products less flammable -- for possible listing in the tenth edition of the federal report.

    After the committee votes at this meeting, there will be an additional public comment period and an NTP Executive Committee review before recommendations are made to the Department of Health and Human Services on whether to list the substances as either "anticipated" or "known" human carcinogens in the federal report to Congress and the public."

    See related Federal Register Notice

  • NIEHS Press Release: (11 August 1999) Panel to Evaluate Plasticizers for Possible Reproductive, Developmental Risks in public session.

    The press and public may attend a review of seven widely used plasticizers (chemicals that give plastic its elasticity) that will be evaluated for their potential reproductive and developmental effects by the newly established Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction, which is within the National Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The chemicals are phthalate esters found widely in the environment and used in consumer products such as shower curtains, medical supplies such as tubing and IV bags, upholstery, raincoats, and soft squeeze toys.

  • NIEHS Press Release: (21 December 1998) Final Comments sought on Listing Alcoholic Drinks, Second-hand Smoke in Federal List of Causes of Cancer

    The National Toxicology Program today solicited final, written public comments over the next 60 days on the proposed listing of alcoholic beverage consumption and environmental tobacco smoke as "known" causes of human cancer in the federal government's Ninth Report on Carcinogens to be published next year.

  • NIEHS Press Release: (24 November 1998) Tobacco Smoke, Alcoholic Beverages, and Diesel Exhaust - will be reviewed December 2-3 for listing in the Ninth Report on Carcinogens

  • NIEHS Press Release: (30 July 1998) Report on Electrical and Magnetic Fields Released; Public invited to Comment at Regional Meetings

    The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences today released the full text of a report from scientists concluding, by a divided vote, that electrical and magnetic fields around power lines, home wiring, home appliances and some industrial uses should be regarded as a "possible" human carcinogen that needs further research. However, the Institute asked for additional public and scientific comment before it prepares its own report to Congress.

  • NIEHS Press Release: (24 June 1998) Panel Evaluated Electric and Magnetic Fields for Health Effects

    An international panel of experts convened by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reported to the institute today that electric and magnetic fields like those surrounding electric power lines should be regarded as a "possible human carcinogen."

    Visit the EMFRapid Home Page at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/home.htm

  • NIEHS Press Advisory: (22 June 1998) New Journal Issue Updated Alternative Testing Advances

    The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences journal Environmental Health Perspectives is making available to reporters who follow the effort to find alternatives to animals in research an updated series of papers from the Ispra, Italy, meeting of the Scientific Group on Methodologies for the Safety Evaluation of Chemicals on advances in developing and validating new methods.

    See related site on Alternative Models including Transgenic mice model evaluations and the report of Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM).

  • NIEHS Press Release: (14 May 1998) 15 Drugs, Dyes and Other Chemicals Newly Listed as Known or Likely Human Carcinogens.

    The National Toxicology Program today announced the addition of 14 substance -- including several diesel combustion products -- to the 184 already included in the federal government's official list of known or "anticipated" human carcinogens. The 14 new substances, as well as one reclassified substance, will appear in the Eighth Report on Carcinogens, a Congressionally mandated report to Congress. Related Federal Register Announcement.

  • NIEHS Press Release: (23 February 1998) Alcohol's Cancer-causing potential to be reviewed, along with Environmental Tobacco Smoke, Diesel Fumes.

    The National Toxicology Program announced plans today to review alcoholic beverages and environmental tobacco smoke for listing in the federal government's Ninth Report on Carcinogens, a report to be submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services to Congress in 1999. The purpose of today's announcement was to solicit scientific and public views on the substances. Comment should be directed to Dr. C. W. Jameson, NTP/NIEHS, E-14, PO Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 by March 18. Related Federal Register Announcement (dated February 3, 1998).

  • NIEHS Press Release: (3 February 1998) Testing sought for brighteners, natural substance in spices, cosmetic chemical, three herbs, a natural oil and a fertilizer.

    A federal interagency committee has recommended that the National Toxicology Program review and possibly test two fiber brighteners, an intermediate chemical in manufacturing, some cosmetics, a natural oil used as a food additive, an ingredient in some spices, three herbs--comfrey, goldenseal and saw palmetto--and a fertilizer, for their potential to cause cancer or reproductive and developmental problems.

  • News Release: (30 September 1997) New Findings on Deformed Frogs in Minnesota (dated September 30, 1997) and Statement of Dr. George W. Lucier, Director, Environmental Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health and the National Toxicology Program, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services -- MPCA/NIEHS-NTP Partnership on Environmental Causes and Human Health Implications of Malformed Frogs

  • HHS News Release: (29 August 1997) FDA Proposed Ban on OTC Sale of Laxative Ingredient (P97-30 dated August 29, 1997)

    Note: Citizens who are concerned about either past habits of taking laxatives or current health problems, should contact FDA at the numbers below for information on regulated products, adverse reporting information, and a number of other areas.

    FDA Consumer Hotline 1 800 532 4440
    FDA MEDWATCH - 1 800 332 1088 (adverse reporting and general information on regulated products)
  • News Release: (18 July 1997) New Federal Saccharin Review Planned; Could Lead to Removal from List of Carcinogens

  • News Release: (13 March 1997) U.S. Agencies Agree on How to Bring Alternative Testing Methods Into Use to Supplement, Replace or Improve Current Tests

  • Announcement: (26 September 1996) Updated Criteria Approved for "Anticipated" Human Carcinogens

  • Announcement: (1995 November 16) Release of a draft report on the criteria for the development and acceptance of new toxicological test methods by government agencies

For more information contact Dr. Mary Wolfe at NIEHS [ Send Email ]