Jump to main content.

Environmental Carcinogenesis Division (ECD)
Background/History

ECD Navigation

Timeline
1970sHERL-ETD
1979HERL-ETD reorganized to GTD
1995ORD reorganized and
HERL became NHEERL
GTD became ECD
ECD traces its roots back to the late 1970's when EPA's Health Effects Research Laboratory (HERL) organized its divisions along disciplinary lines. In 1979, a core group of researchers was assembled in the Biochemistry Branch of the Environmental Toxicology Division. Upon reorganization, this group was expanded to the Genetic Toxicology Division (GTD) that was eventually composed of three branches (Carcinogenesis and Metabolism Branch, Mutagenesis and Cellular Toxicology Branch, and the Genetic Bioassay Branch). GTD had a very broad mission statement which came to include carcinogenesis, heritable mutagenesis, genetically-based biomarkers, toxicology and pathogenicity of genetically engineered microorganisms, and use of genetic bioassays for hazard and exposure assessment.

In 1989, the carcinogenesis research portion of the drinking water research program was consolidated from Cincinnati to GTD. In 1993, a reorganization involving the Human Studies Division (HSD) and GTD was instituted. This reorganization involved transfer of research activities having major epidemiology/field studies' components from GTD to HSD. GTD's research agenda was, at that time, refocused toward carcinogenesis. The reorganization and refocusing of GTD's strategy occurred during the same period in which a reorganization of ORD was occurring. With ORD's reorganization (effected on April 30, 1995), HERL became NHEERL and GTD became the Environmental Carcinogenesis Division (ECD) composed of its present three branches. Also, during 1995, the conversion of on-site contractor positions to government positions nearly doubled ECD's staff. Depending upon Agency needs and funding, some research areas responded very quickly while other areas changed more slowly. Although there have been several transitions and managerial changes in ORD, HERL/NHEERL, and GTD/ECD, the staff has remained quite constant. The staff has been both focused (toward specific Agency research needs) and flexible (able to accommodate the changing climates of a regulatory agency).

Environmental Carcinogenesis Division | Experimental Toxicology Division | Human Studies Division 
 Neurotoxicology Division | Reproductive Toxicology Division

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.