Characteristics of the U.S. EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs' toxicity information databases.

Abstract

The United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) requires that data from toxicity testing be submitted to the OPP to support the registration of pesticide chemicals. Once the toxicity data are submitted, they are entered into various toxicity databases. The studies are listed in an archival database to catalog and allow retrieval of the study for review. Reviews of toxicity studies are then placed into a separate database that can be retrieved to support a regulatory position. Toxicity information for health effects other than cancer and gene mutations from chronic exposure is reviewed through a reference dose (RfD) approach, and these decisions and supporting data are entered into an RfD database. Carcinogenicity data are reviewed by a peer review process, and these decisions are entered into a newly developed database to show the regulatory decision with supporting data. The mutagenicity data are reviewed and acceptable data are entered into the Genetic Activity Profile system to catalog and display the submitted information. These databases contain the information used for hazard evaluations as part of the OPP review of pesticide chemicals.