Lyon, France
- NHEERL Scientist To Chair Subgroup of IARC Monograph Working Group
- ISTD Researchers To Be Part of IARC Monograph Working Group
- NHEERL Toxicologist Participates in Atrazine and Chloroform Expert Group Meeting
- NHEERL Toxicologist To Participate in IARC Monograph Working Group
NHEERL Scientist To Chair Subgroup of IARC Monograph Working Group
Stephen Nesnow of NHEERL’s Integrated Systems Toxicology Division Carcinogenesis Branch has been invited to chair the subgroup on mechanisms in a monograph working group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). IARC is an intergovernmental agency of the World Health Organization of the United Nations. IARC produces monographs that identify environmental factors that can increase the risk of human cancer. These include chemicals, complex mixtures, occupational exposures, physical and biological agents, and lifestyle factors. The monographs are written by interdisciplinary working groups of expert scientists who review the published studies. The working groups also classify each agent based on the weight of the evidence that an agent can increase the risk of cancer in humans. International health agencies can use IARC monographs as scientific support for their actions to prevent exposure to potential carcinogens.
The monograph working group will meet in Lyon, France, October 11-18, 2011, to produce IARC monograph volume 103, whose subject is bitumen and its fumes and some heterocyclic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Bitumens (asphalts) are used in the roofing and paving industry and contain polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs), many which are carcinogens. In addition to chairing the subgroup on mechanisms, Dr. Nesnow will prepare sections of the monograph dealing with the mechanisms of carcinogenic action of a series of heterocyclic PAHs and on biomarkers of bitumen exposure in occupational settings.
ISTD Researchers To Be Part of IARC Monograph Working Group
Two NHEERL Integrated Systems Toxicology Division scientists from Research Triangle Park, NC, will participate February 15-22, 2011, in Lyon, France, in the Working Group for the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph 101. David DeMarini of the Genetic and Cellular Toxicology Branch will chair and participate as a member of the working group on the monograph, Some Chemicals in Industrial and Consumer Products, Food Contaminants, and Water Chlorination By-Products, and Chris Corton of the Systems Biology Branch will take part in searching the scientific literature for pertinent studies and peer-reviewing as many as three drafts from other experts. Subsequently, IARC will publish a summary of the meeting in The Lancet Oncology on behalf of the working group.
NHEERL Toxicologist Participates in Atrazine and Chloroform Expert Group Meeting
David DeMarini, a genetic scientist with NHEERL's Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, Genetics and Celluar Toxicology Branch, participated in an expert group meeting from June 30 to July 1 in Lyon, France. The purpose of the meeting, which brought together an interdisciplinary working group of expert scientists, was the critical review of pertinent scientific literature for studies on atrazine and chloroform to summarize the epidemiological studies and cancer bioassays in rodents. Dr. DeMarini wrote a concise synthesis of the evidence for the compounds' carcinogenicity and presented this to the group to help them reach conclusions regarding further research needed to help make a decision as to whether these compounds are human carcinogens.
The outcome of this process will be an evaluation that provides direction toward the research that could fill the evidence gaps leading to new categorization of these two important compounds, both of which are regulated by EPA, but for which there has been no definitive proof of their ability to be human carcinogens at the concentrations to which humans are generally exposed.
NHEERL Toxicologist To Participate in IARC Monograph Working Group
David DeMarini, a genetic toxicologist with the NHEERL Integrated Systems Toxicology Division Genetic and Cellular Toxicology Branch, will be participating in the Expert Working Group on Lifestyle Factors for Volume 100 of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs in Lyon, France, September 29 through October 7, 2009. He will search scientific literature for studies pertinent to his writing assignment and take an active role in peer-reviewing and revising all monograph sections and in discussing and finalizing evaluations. IARC will publish a summary of the meeting in The Lancet Oncology on behalf of the working group.