National Toxicology Program

We are pleased to provide the following information to highlight and update our readers on the 1998 programs and initiatives of the National Toxicology Program. We invite and encourage public input and participation in all aspects of our programs.

• NTP Board Reviews Strategies for Use of Transgenic Mouse Models and Chemicals Nominated for NTP Studies February 5-6, 1998

   

• Peer Review of NTP Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Studies, March 11, 1998 - NIEHS Report to Congress on the Health Effects of EMF; April 6-9 and June 15-24; Meetings

   

• Endocrine Disruptors Workshop, May 11-13, 1998

   

• NTP Report on Carcinogens

   

• ICCVAM Anticipates Peer Review of Two Alternative Toxicological Methods in 1998

   

• International Workshop to Evaluate Research Needs on the Use and Safety of Medicinal Herbs

   

• NTP Draft Technical Reports Tentatively Scheduled for Review in Fall, 1998

   

• Recently Published NTP Long Term Technical Reports

   

• December 1997 Peer Review of Technical Reports

   

• What's New on the NTP Website

   

• NTP Information Available Through the Environmental Health Information Service

   

• Visit the NTP, the EHIS, and the NIEHS Exhibits at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Meeting March 1-5, 1998

NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Reviews: 1) Strategies for Use of Transgenic Mouse Models; 2) Chemicals Nominated for NTP Studies, February 5-6, 1998

Conference Center, Building 101, South Campus, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 111 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Agenda
The meeting will be open to the public from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on February 5, and from 8:45 a.m. to adjournment on February 6, with attendance limited only by space available.

The primary agenda topic on February 5 will be a comprehensive evaluation of the strategies for the use of transgenic mouse models in bioassays for carcinogenesis. Included will be an introduction, history and rationale for using transgenic animals to identify carcinogens, sharing of results from three mouse models -- p53^def, Tg.AC, and Hras2 --, NTP strategies for evaluating models, utility of transgenic model results for risk assessment, and regulatory agency perspectives. The Board will be asked to advise the NTP on, these issues:

• Is the NTP approach to evaluation and validation of transgenic models for use in cancer bioassays sufficient and appropriate?
• How can existing models be best utilized? What are their limitations?
• What new models are needed, i.e., should the NTP seek to develop organ-specific tumor models
• Are the scientific needs of regulatory agencies being adequately addressed?

Among several agenda topics on February 6 will be a discussion of and opportunity for public comment on chemicals nominated for NTP studies that were reviewed by the NTP Interagency Committee for Chemical Evaluation and Coordination on August 15, 1997, and December 11, 1997. The Committee recommended nine chemicals and four mixtures for toxicological studies, recommended nine chemicals and one chemical class be deferred for additional information, and recommended six chemicals not be studied. The chemicals/classes with CAS Nos. in parentheses are:

Recommended for Study:
(1) 2-Acetylpyridine (1122-62-9);
(2) Asphalt Fumes (8052-42-4);
(3) 2-Chloropyridine (109-09-1);
(4) Comfrey (72698-57-8) and Symphytine (22571-95-5);
(5) Glycoluril (496-46-8);
(6) Goldenseal (--) and Berberine (2086-83-1) and Hydrastine (118-08-1;
(7) Luminol (o--Aminophthalic Hydrazide) (521-31-3);
(8) 4-Methoxy-N-methyl-1,8-naphthalimide (3271-05-4);
(9) Myristicin (607-91-0);
(10) 7-(2H-Naphthol[1,2-d] triazol-2-yl)-3-phenylcoumarin;
(11) Orthanilic Acid (88-21-1);
(12) Phenothiazine (92-84-2);
(13) Saw Palmetto -Sitosterol (83-46-5).

The chemicals for which No Study is Recommended are:

(1) trans- 1,4-Dichloro-2-butene;
(2) Dicyclopentadiene (77-73-6);
(3) C.I. Direct Black 80 (8003-69-8);
(4) Ethyl Cyanoacrylate (7085-85-0);
(5) Isoamyl Acetate (123-92-2);
(6) 2,4,6-Tribromophenol (118-79-6).

Chemicals Deferred for Additional Information are:

(1) 3-Amino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole (16691-43-3);
(2) Benzothiazole (95-16-9);
(3) -Citronellol (106-22-9);
(4) Diethylamine (109-89-7);
(5) Ethyl silicate (78-10-4);
(6) Isopropylamine (75-31-0);
(7) Linalool (78-70-6);
(8) Methylal (109-87-5);
(9) Triethylamine (121-44-8);
(10) Methylolurea class study
Methylolurea (1000-82-4)
Dimethylolurea (140-95-4)
Dimethylolurea dimethyl ether (147-07-1)
1,2-Dimethylol-4-5-dihydroxyethyleneurea (1854-26-8)

Also, on February 6 will be reports of recent meetings of the Report on Carcinogens and Technical Reports Review Board Subcommittees. The Board will review concept proposals on (1) genetic susceptibility of the pregastrulation embryo to environmental exposures, (2) molecular detection of aneuploidy in rodent germ cells, and (3) pathology support for the NTP.

Public Input Encouraged

Public comment on any agenda topic is welcomed. In order to facilitate planning for the meeting, persons wanting to make a formal presentation during the public comment period must notify the Executive Secretary, Dr. Larry G. Hart, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (telephone 919/541-3971; FAX 919/541-0295; or e-mail at hart@niehs.nih.gov) by no later than February 2, 1997, and, if possible, provide a written copy of their comments in advance of the meeting. Written statements should supplement and may expand on the oral presentation, or may be submitted in lieu of an oral presentation, and should be received by February 2 so copies can be made for distribution to Board members, staff, and the public. Oral presentations should be limited to no more than five minutes.

Background materials pertaining to the evaluation of transgenic models, summary information on each chemical, an agenda, and/or roster of Board members and ad hoc-expert reviewers are available on request from the NTP Board Executive Secretary, Dr. Larry Hart, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Summary minutes subsequent to the meeting will be available upon request.

Peer Review of NTP Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Studies, March 11, 1998

The NTP Board of Scientific Counselors' Technical Reports Review Subcommittee, complemented by three expert reviewers, will peer review the draft Technical Reports of two-year toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of rats and mice exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields, as well as three breast cancer initiation/promotion studies in rats using both 50 Hz (European frequency) and 60 Hz magnetic fields. Copies of the draft study reports should be available in February and can be obtained by contacting Central Data Management, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (Tel: 919/541-3419 or Fax: 919/541-3687 or e-mail: CDM@niehs.nih.gov. Agenda and roster of Subcommittee members and expert reviewers prior to the meeting and summary minutes subsequent to the meeting can be obtained by contacting the Executive Secretary, Dr. Larry G. Hart, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (Tel: 919/541-3971; FAX: 919/541-0295; e-mail: hart@niehs.nih.gov).

NIEHS Report to Congress on the Health Effects of EMF; April 6-9 Science Review Symposium; June 15-24 Working Group Meeting; Opportunity for Public Input

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are coordinating the implementation of the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination (EMFRAPID) Program. The EMFRAPID Program was established by the 1992 Energy Policy Act (Section 2118 for Public Law 102-486) which was signed in October 1992. This five-year effort is designed to determine the potential effects from exposure to 60 Hz extremely low frequency (ELF)-EMF (especially those produced by the generation, transmission and use of electric energy) on biological systems. DOE is responsible for characterizing field exposures and for mitigating exposures that may be hazardous. The NIEHS is responsible for the development and implementation of a research program on the possible adverse human health effects of ELF-EMF. The EMFRAPID Program requires the NIEHS to report on the extent to which exposure to electric and magnetic fields adversely affects human health.

The report development process combines a critical evaluation of the scientific literature with an assessment of the strength of the evidence for human health effects resulting from EMF exposures. To accomplish the initial part of this process, the NIEHS has organized a series of open, public science review symposia (SRS) on science related to EMF exposures and their biological effects as follows:

Symposia Series

The first symposium was held March 24-27, 1997 on "theoretical mechanistic and in vitro research findings." Written reports summarizing the deliberations of breakout group discussion sessions are currently available and can be obtained by contacting the address below.

The second symposium on "epidemiological results" is being held January 12-14, 1998. Breakout reports from this symposium are anticipated to be available by mid-February.

The third symposium will be on "clinical and in vivo research studies".

Planning is underway and the symposium will be held April 6-9, 1998, at the Hyatt Regency at Civic Plaza, Phoenix, Arizona. This will target clinical and in vivo laboratory findings from studies of EMF exposures at frequencies associated with power delivery and use. The program will consist of plenary overview lectures and in-depth breakout group sessions. Sample topics for the breakout groups include breast cancer, leukemia, immunotoxicity, tissue healing, neurobehavioral disorders, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, use of animal and clinical data in risk assessment, physical theory, and dosimetry. The registration fee is $85. To register or receive additional information please contact the EMF/RAPID Program as shown below.

Detailed information about the EMFRAPID Program is found on the world wide web at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/emfrapid/home.htm.

Working Group (WG) Prepares Report for NIEHS

Scientists from multiple disciplines will meet June 15-24, 1998, at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, with the task of writing a comprehensive review of the literature on the potential for ELF-EMF to affect human health. The WG will use information from the symposia's discussions as well as perform an overall critical evaluation of the literature. The report they produce will draw conclusions on the strength and robustness of the data and its implications for human health effects and disease etiology.

This report will be publicly available for comments.

Public Input Encouraged

Public review and comment on the working group report will be a priority for NIEHS prior to preparing a final report to Congress. It is anticipated that the WG report will be available for public review late July/early August. A 45-day comment period on the WG report is planned and will be broadly announced. It is anticipated that NIEHS will meet with the National Electric and Magnetic Field Advisory Committee mid to late September to discuss the WG report and the public comments received. To be placed on the mailing list to receive a copy of the Report and request for comments, please contact the EMFRAPID program at the address below.

NIEHS Report to Congress

The NIEHS will use the final report of the working group, information obtained from the SRS, all comments received, and other relevant information to prepare a report to Congress on the potential for human health effects from exposure to ELF-EMF resulting from the production and distribution of electricity.

It is anticipated that the NIEHS Director will submit a Report to the Secretary, DHHS, by November 1998.

To receive breakout group discussion reports for the SRS, registration information about the third SRS, or to be placed on the list to receive the WG report when it is available, send a request by fax to 919-541-0144, or mail to EMFRAPID Program, LCBRA, NIEHS, NIH, PO Box 12233 MD EC-16, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, or call 919-541-7534.

Endocrine Disruptors Workshop, May 11-13, 1998

"Characterizing the Effects of Endocrine Disruptors on Human Health at Environmental Exposure Levels"

The NIEHS is organizing a workshop on "Characterizing the Effects of Endocrine Disruptors on Human Health at Environmental Exposure Levels" to be held in Raleigh, NC, on May 11-13, 1998. The purpose of this workshop is to provide a forum to discuss methods and data needs to improve risk assessments of endocrine disruptors, with special emphasis on characterizing potential health effects at low doses (environmental levels). The Workshop will focus on how to make better use of our current knowledge on endocrine signaling pathways to understand and quantify perturbations induced by endocrine disrupting agents that lead to adverse health effects (reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, or cancer) and specifically address exposures and perturbations at critical stages of development. Research needs will be identified within the framework of a risk assessment approach; and a final workshop report will include recommendations on how to incorporate mechanistic information that will lead to scientifically credible, biologically based, tissue-specific, trans-species, low-dose extrapolations.

Six breakout group topics have been identified: 1) homeostasis and endocrine function in adults; 2) endocrine function during development; 3) species variability, interindividual variability, and tissue specificity in endocrine signaling; 4) dose-response models that link xenobiotic-induced perturbations in normal hormone levels and signaling pathways during development and in adults with tissue response; 5) case study: estimating risk from exposure to DES; and 6) case study: estimating risk from environmental exposure to PCBs. For further information contact Anna Lee Sabella (919-541-4982) or Ronald Melnick (919-541-4142).

NTP Report on Carcinogens

Section 301 (b) (4) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, provides that the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services, shall publish a report which contains a list of all substances (1) which either are known to be human carcinogens or may reasonably be anticipated to be human carcinogens; and (2) to which a significant number of persons residing in the United States are exposed. The Report is prepared by the NTP. To date seven issues have been published.

Eighth Edition

The Eighth Edition of the Report on Carcinogens has been drafted and is expected to be submitted to Congress in early spring 1998. It contains 198 entries, 14 of which have not appeared in earlier Reports. The Eighth Report also contains the reclassification of one chemical. The list is divided into two parts: 1) Agents, Substances, Mixtures or Medical Treatments Known To Be Human Carcinogens (29 entries); and 2) Agents, Substances, or Mixtures Reasonably Anticipated To Be Human Carcinogens (169 entries). The new listings for the 8th Report can be found in attachment 1. The 8th Report on Carcinogens is the first Edition prepared following the expanded review procedures which now include a third level of scientific review by an external peer review subcommittee of the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors meeting in public session with opportunity for public input. The 8th Report is also the first to contain new listings based on the application of the revised criteria approved by the Secretary, HHS, on September 13, 1996, which allow conclusions regarding carcinogenicity in humans or experimental animals to be based on scientific judgment, with consideration given to all relevant information. This allows for the application of a broader scientific base by the inclusion of more biology in hazard identification and the review of all types and extent of data necessary to evaluate a substance and its potential to cause cancer in humans. The Report on Carcinogens is prepared by the NTP with the assistance of other Federal health research and regulatory agencies and non-government institutions. The listing of a substance in the Report is descriptive in nature and represents an initial step in hazard identification, which is generally considered the first step in the analytical process known as risk assessment.

Ninth Edition

The Ninth Edition of the Report on Carcinogens is scheduled for publication in 1999. Nominations for listing or delisting for the Ninth Report are currently being reviewed. In 1997, 14 substances or exposure circumstances were reviewed for listing in or removal from the Ninth Report. This review included the multiphase, peer review process involving two Federal scientific review groups and one non-government, scientific peer review body (a subcommittee of the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors) which met in an open, public meeting that included a public comment session. All available data relevant to the criteria for inclusion or removal of candidate substances or exposure circumstances in the Report were evaluated by the three scientific review committees. The criteria used in the review process and the detailed description of the review procedures, including the steps in the formal review process, can be obtained by contacting: Dr. C. W. Jameson, National Toxicology Program, Report on Carcinogens, MD EC-14, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709; phone: (919) 541-4096, fax: (919) 541-2242, e-mail: jameson@niehs.nih.gov.

Public Input Encouraged

The first group of substances or exposure circumstances reviewed for the 9th Report in 1997, are provided in attachment 2. A final public comment period for these substances will be announced soon and will solicit additional public review and input.

A second group of nominations will be considered for the 9th Report in 1998. These nominations, which will be evaluated by the same review process, are identified in attachment 3. Public comment on these nominations is being solicited to be considered by each level of review. It is anticipated that the outside scientific peer review by the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors Report on Carcinogens Subcommittee, which is held in an open, public meeting, will be held in the Fall of 1998.

It is expected that the Director, NTP, will forward the draft Ninth Edition of the Report on Carcinogens to the Secretary, DHHS, in early 1999. The final Report will be transmitted from the Secretary to Congress later that year.

Interested parties who would like to receive copies of the Federal Register announcements formally requesting comment on these nominations when published may contact the Office of Liaison and Scientific Review by e-mail to britton@niehs.nih.gov or by fax (919) 541-0295 to be placed on the mailing list.

For further information about the Report on Carcinogens please contact:

Dr. C.W. Jameson
Report on Carcinogens
National Toxicology Program
MD: EC-14
P.O. Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Phone: (919) 541-4096 fax: (919) 541-2242; e-mail: jameson@niehs.nih.gov

ICCVAM Anticipates Peer Review of Two Alternative Toxicological Methods in 1998

Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM)

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM) is an interagency committee with representatives and participants from 14 Federal regulatory and research agencies that generate or use information from toxicological testing methods for human health or environmental risk assessment decision-making. The Committee facilitates cross-agency communication and coordination on issues relating to validation, acceptance, and national/international harmonization of toxicological test methods. ICCVAM Working Groups coordinate workshops and peer reviews for proposed methods of multi-agency interest and provide recommendations regarding their usefulness to agencies.

Plans for 1998

Two methods currently under review by ICCVAM and for which peer review is anticipated in 1998 include Corrositex®, an in vitro alternative method for assessing skin corrosivity potential of chemicals, and the Mouse Local Lymph Node Assay, a refinement alternative method for assessing skin sensitivity potential of chemicals.

It is also anticipated that the new NTP Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods will become operational in 1998. The Center is being established to support and collaborate with the recently established ICCVAM. The goal of the Center and ICCVAM is to promote the scientific validation and regulatory acceptance of new test methods that are more predictive of human and ecological effects than currently available methods. To achieve this goal, the Center will work with the ICCVAM to facilitate scientific peer review and interagency consideration of new test methods of multi-agency interest, and to facilitate communication with stakeholders. Emphasis is on toxicological test methods that will enhance agencies' ability to assess risks and make decisions, and that will refine, reduce, or replace animal use whenever possible. This initiative includes the opportunity for public/private partnerships to leverage resources for the development, validation, and review of alternative testing methods. An internet website will be established and maintained to facilitate timely information exchange and communication.²

A Federal Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods is being established to provide advice on the activities and priorities of the Center and ICCVAM, and to provide advice on ways to foster partnership activities and productive interactions among all stakeholders. The Committee will be composed of knowledgeable representatives drawn from academia, industry, public interest/animal welfare organizations, other agencies, and the international community. A public meeting was held on November 7, 1997, at NIEHS where the future role of this Committee was discussed. The first meeting of the Advisory Committee is anticipated for late spring of 1998.

The Center Office at NIEHS will provide operational support for the ICCVAM and Advisory Committee, including a core level of support of three test method workshops and/or peer review meetings per year.

Partnership Opportunities: In addition to its core support activities, the Center will have the capability to carry out up to six additional test method workshops and/or peer reviews of new methods. A mechanism has been established by which these activities can be financially supported by interested partners. Interested parties should contact the Center for more information.

The recent publication Validation and Regulatory Acceptance of Toxicological Test Methods, a Report of the ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (NIH Publication 97-3981) can be located on the internet at: Alternative Methods. To receive a copy of the report, please contact the NTP Liaison Office [P.O. Box 12233, MD: A3-01, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, Fax: (919) 541-0295) e-mail: britton@niehs.nih.gov]

For further information about ICCVAM or the Center, please contact one of the ICCVAM co-chairs:

Dr. William Stokes
NIEHS
P.O. Box 12233 MD: EC-17
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
(919) 541-7997
e-mail: stokes@niehs.nih.gov

Dr. Richard Hill
US EPA
Mail Code: 7101
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Fax: (202) 260-1847
e-mail: hill.richard@epamail.epa.gov

International Workshop to Evaluate Research Needs on the Use and Safety of Medicinal Herbs

Herbal medicines and dietary supplements account for one of the fastest growing markets in US pharmacies and constitute a multi-billion dollar industry. It is estimated that as many as 1,500 botanicals are sold in the US as dietary supplements or ethnic traditional medicines. These compounds are not, however, subject to the same testing for efficacy or safety mandated for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Thus, there is concern that heavy or prolonged use of some medicinal herbs or dietary supplements could result in adverse health effects. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, will sponsor an "International Workshop to Evaluate Research Needs on the Use and Safety of Medicinal Herbs". This workshop will bring together a panel of national and international experts to discuss the use of medicinal herbs and dietary supplements. The objective of the workshop will be to evaluate the use of dietary supplements to disease outcomes, determine how other countries address these problems and recommend research to characterize possible adverse effects. The workshop will be held September 23 and 24, 1998 at the NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, NC. Individuals interested in attending or learning more about the Workshop should contact the Office of Liaison and Scientific Review by e-mail to britton@niehs.nih.gov or by fax (919) 541-0295 to be placed on the mailing list.

NTP Draft Technical Reports Tentatively Scheduled for Review in Fall 1998

Tentatively scheduled for peer review by the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors' Technical Reports Review Subcommittee in a fall 1998 meeting are the draft technical reports for the following chemicals:

• ethylene glycol monobutyl ether
• oxymetholone
• glutaraldehyde
• methyleugenol

It is anticipated that there will be further discussions on the Helicobacter issue and a reconsideration TR-449 on triethanolamine at this meeting as well.

Recently Published NTP Long-Term Technical Reports

TR-458
Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Butyl Benzyl Phthalate (CAS No. 85-68-7) in F344/N Rats (Feed Studies) - September 1997

TR-460
Effect of Dietary Restriction on Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies in F344/N Rats and B6C3F₁ Mice - September 1997

Abstracts from these and other NTP reports for the individual studies may be viewed via the World Wide Web from the NTP Homepage (URL: http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp)

December 1997 Peer Review of Technical Reports

The NTP Board of Scientific Counselors' Technical Reports Review Subcommittee met at NIEHS on December 9 and 10, 1997, to peer review the draft Technical Reports of toxicology and carcinogenesis studies on 10 chemicals. After the report reviews, there was a brief presentation concerning data obtained on carcinogenicity for some of the chemicals from transgenic mouse models -- Tg.AC and p53^def . For nine of the 10 study reports, the Subcommittee accepted the conclusions as written. They are as follows:

1. 1-chloro-2-propanol, technical -- no evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female F344 rats and male and female B6C3F₁ mice;
   
2. coconut oil acid diethanolamine condensate -- no evidence of carcinogenic activity for male rats, equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity for female rats, and clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female mice;
   
3. diethanolamine -- no evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female rats and clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female mice;
   
4. furfuryl alcohol -- some evidence of carcinogenic activity for male rats and mice, equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity for female rats, and no evidence of carcinogenic activity for female mice;
   
5. isobutene -- some evidence of carcinogenic activity for male rats and no evidence of carcinogenic activity for female rats and male and female mice;
   
6. isoprene -- clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for male rats, and some evidence of carcinogenic activity for female rats;
   
7. lauric acid diethanolamine condensate -- no evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female rats and male mice, and some evidence of carcinogenic activity for female mice;
   
8. oleic acid diethanolamine condensate -- no evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female rats and mice; and
   
9. pyridine -- some evidence of carcinogenic activity for male F344 rats, equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity for female F344 and male Wistar rats, and clear evidence of carcinogenic activity for male and female mice.
10. For the study report on pentachlorophenol, purified, the Subcommittee recommended that the conclusions for the standard two-year bioassay with three doses in rats be separated from the conclusions for a one-year stop exposure study in rats at a single higher dose. Thus, for pentachlorophenol, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity in male and female rats given diets containing 200, 400, or 600 ppm for two years. There was some evidence of carcinogenic activity in male rats and no evidence of carcinogenic activity in female rats given diets containing 1,000 ppm for one year followed by control diet for one year.

Central Data Management
NIEHS/NTP
P.O. Box 12233
MD: E1-02
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Telephone number: (919) 541-3419
FAX number: (919) 541-3687
e-mail: CDM@niehs.nih.gov

What's New on the NTP Website

There have been several significant changes to the NTP web pages (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp). The homepage and first level pages have been redesigned to make it easier to find the desired source of NTP information.

The two-year study abstracts are now linked to the pathology tables and survival and growth curves for the individual studies and to a special report that lists the test-agent target organs with incidences of the neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. The data in these summary reports can be also searched across studies by selecting Individual Study Summary Reports on the "NTP Special Reports" page (http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/ Main_Pages/Spec_rpts.html)

The "Chemical Health and Safety Information" and the NTP "Rodent Historical Controls" databases have been moved and they are now accessed through the new Environmental Health Information Services (EHIS). Also, when the 8th Report on Carcinogens is published, the 7th Annual Report on Carcinogens will be removed from the NTP site and the 8th will be accessible through EHIS. EHIS is a full-service site that produces, maintains, and disseminates information on the environment in the form of a searchable directory on the internet.

The NTP website will continue to provide all other information as in the past, e.g., searches of study data, abstracts, tracking of NTP ongoing studies and newsletters. New material will be added as it becomes available.

NTP Information Available Through the Environmental Health Information Service (EHIS)

The full NTP study reports, the Health & Safety Database in over 2000 chemicals and the NTP historical control pathology database are now available as part of the Environmental Health Information Service (EHIS), the most extensive international online database in toxicology. The EHIS is located on the Internet at http://ehis.niehs.nih.gov.

With the click of a mouse you can have instant, searchable access to all of the information contained in the Report on Carcinogens 8th Edition Summary as soon as it is released in 1998, including toxicology data on the 14 new chemicals listed and the new criteria for evaluating substances for listing and delisting in the report. The Report on Carcinogens 8th Edition Summary will be available online far ahead of the printed document.

For an annual subscription fee, the EHIS provides searchable online access and hard copies of NTP Technical Reports, Toxicology Reports, the Report on Carcinogens, NTP databases, Environmental Health Perspectives and Supplements, and more.

Contact the EHIS for your online subscription including a printed copy of the Report on Carcinogens 8th Edition Summary. Call 919-541-3841, Fax 919-541-0273, e-mail at ehis@nih.gov, or subscribe online at http://ehis.niehs.nih.gov/.

Visit the NTP, the EHIS, and the NIEHS Exhibits at the Society of Toxicology (SOT) Meeting March 1-5, 1998

Please visit the NTP to learn more about NTP initiatives and evolving directions and to sign up for future mailing of information. Visit the Environmental Health Information Service exhibit and learn about the exciting new service that will ensure rapid availability of NTP reports and databases.