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Indoor air is becoming polluted by powerful household chemicals

By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Staff Writer

"A recent study has found the dust and air trapped inside homes is likely to contain a wide variety of human reproduction-disrupting and cancer-causing chemicals. These chemicals are found in common consumer products and exposure to them could affect the health of every family member, especially those who are female." To read more...

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03357/253929.stm

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The Cape Codder reports on the Institute's drinking water study, December 12, 2003.

"The way we dispose of our wastewater is having a major impact on a water supply, and maybe our health, according to a recently published study by Silent Spring Institute," reports The Cape Codder. To read more...

http://www.townonline.com/brewster/news/local_regional/cc_newcasilspringwa12122003.htm

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Babylon (NY) Breast Cancer Coalition honored Silent Spring Institute with a $10,000 grant to continue research on hormonally active pollutants in groundwater and drinking water. The Institute in 1997 became the first scientific team to measure estrogenic activity in groundwater impacted by septic system wastes. Now scientists are exploring how hormonally active pollutants – including women’s excreted estrogen; pharmaceutical hormones such as oral contraceptives and HRT; and hormonal pollutants from detergents, pesticides, food wrappings, and many other products – travel in groundwater where they may reach drinking water wells. Results will inform policies and technologies to protect water supplies.

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The Boston Herald reports on the Institute's Household Exposure Study, September 16, 2003.

Chemicals found in Cape homes by Michael Lasalandra

"Dozens of chemicals, many linked to breast cancer, have been found in homes on Cape Cod, where the risk of the disease is 20 percent higher than for the state as a whole.

'Not only do we see that these chemical make breast cancer calls grow in lab studies, but we've added a new piece of information,' said Julia Brody of the Silent Spring Institute of Newton. 'We're saying that women are being exposed to them.'

The group's study of 120 homes on Cape Cod turned up evidence of 67 different compounds in the air and dust, many of them chemicals that act as estrogens or interfere with human hormones in various ways..."

(article no longer available online.)

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The L.A. Times reports on the Institute's Household Exposure Study, September 16, 2003.

Even the Dust Is Toxic in Homes, Scientists Say by Marla Cone

"In the first comprehensive look at contaminants inside households, scientists have found dozens of toxic chemicals in indoor air and dust, suggesting that exposure to hormone-altering compounds is common in American homes.

The study of 120 homes in Cape Cod, Mass., discovered 67 compounds in dust and air, dominated by chemicals found in plastics, detergents and cosmetics such as nail polish, perfumes and hairsprays. Insecticides and flame retardants used in foam furnishings were also commonplace..."

(article no longer available online.)

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The Cape Cod Times reports on the Institute's Household Exposure Study, September 15, 2003.

Toxic chemicals abundant in homes by Robin Lord

"Chemicals known to cause tumors in animals or disrupt the hormone activity of humans have been found in all of the 120 Cape Cod homes studied by the Silent Spring Institute of Newton and Cape Cod..."

(article no longer available online.)

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In a study of 89 endocrine disrupting compounds in 120 Cape Cod homes, Silent Spring Institute researchers found high levels of phthalates, which are found in cosmetics, plastics,and other products, and lingering residues of chemicals, such as DDT, that were banned years ago.

Article Title: Phthalates, Alkylphenol, Pesticides, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers, and Other Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Indoor Air and Dust

Authors: Ruthann Rudel and Julia G. Brody, Silent Spring Institute, Newton MA; David Camann, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX; John Spengler, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA; Leo Korn, UMDNJ, New Brunswick, NJ

Journal: Environmental Science & Technology

In the Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study, we measured concentrations of 89 different chemicals identified as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in indoor air and house dust samples from 120 homes on Cape Cod. EDCs are chemicals that can mimic or interfere with human hormones. Overall, we detected 52 different compounds in air and 66 in dust. These are the first reported measurements in indoor environments for over 30 of the compounds. Results of the study are reported in a scientific article (listed above) and summarized here. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, foundations, and charitable donations funded the study.

What types of chemicals did you find and where do they come from?
We found many different types of chemicals that are used in plastics, detergents, furniture, carpets, electronic equipment, pesticides, and cosmetics. Table 1 provides information on the major chemical classes and potential sources. We expected to find many of these compounds in homes, as they are in widely used pesticides, detergents, plastics, and furniture, as well as personal care products such as cosmetics and hair products.

Which chemicals were found at the highest concentrations?
We found phthalates and alkylphenols at the highest concentrations in both dust and air.

How many different chemicals were found in a typical house?
The number of chemicals detected in a home ranged from 13-28 for indoor air and from 6-42 for dust. The average number of chemicals per home was 19 for air and 26 for dust.

Are levels on Cape Cod higher than levels elsewhere?
Some comparison data from other locations are available for some pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, and phthalates. Indoor air concentrations we measured on Cape Cod are generally similar to levels reported elsewhere. In house dust, some regional differences were observed. PBDEs measured on Cape Cod were about ten times higher than levels reported in two studies in Europe, where these compounds are not used as much. PAHs were lower than on Long Island but higher than in other regions of the US. For pesticides, levels of DDT, carbaryl, chlordane, methoxychlor, propoxur, and pentachlorophenol appear higher on Cape Cod than in other regions; while levels of diazinon and permethrin appear lower, and chlorpyrifos appears similar. Comparisons must be interpreted with caution because methods of sample collection are different between studies.

Did detected levels exceed government standards?
There are no regulatory standards for contaminants in indoor air and house dust. US EPA has issued health-based exposure guidelines for about half of the compounds in our study. Where these guidelines exist, levels we measured are often below the guidelines. However, for 15 compounds, including bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (from plastics) and some pesticides and PCBs that are currently banned, we measured levels in some samples that exceeded the guidelines. These chemicals are still found in and around homes worldwide, sometimes at levels exceeding health guidelines, because they break down very slowly.

What are the public health implications of these findings?
This study demonstrates that chemicals from common consumer products affect indoor air quality and are found in house dust, providing an ongoing opportunity for exposure. However, not enough is known about the potential health effects of these exposures to determine whether they pose significant health risks. By studying these compounds and how women may be exposed, we will learn which exposures are most important. In this way we hope to identify ways to reduce health risks by reducing exposure, and to prioritize chemicals with high exposures for more rigorous health effects testing.

How does an endocrine disrupting compound affect health?
Chemicals identified as endocrine disrupting compounds can mimic or disrupt our bodies' hormone systems. This means they can interfere with cell growth and development. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are being studied to see how they affect child development, reproduction, and hormonal cancers like breast and prostate cancer.

Did you look for all the endocrine disrupting chemicals?
There is no comprehensive list of endocrine disrupting chemicals, and most of the 87,000 chemicals in use have not been tested to determine whether they affect hormone systems. We tested for chemicals that scientists have reported to be endocrine disruptors. We prioritized chemicals that have consumer uses or are produced in large quantities.

What additional analyses of these data are underway?
We are analyzing data on urinary levels of phthalates and pesticides in relation to air and dust measurements in order to understand major pathways of exposure. We are also analyzing the relationship between individuals’ self-reported pesticide and product use data and measured air, dust, and urine levels. Finally, we are identifying commonly occurring mixtures of chemicals.

How can I get more information?
Additional information is found on our web site at www.SilentSpring.org. To request a copy of the article, or for other information, please contact Anna Batty at Silent Spring Institute (Phone: 617-332-4288. Email: info@SilentSpring.org).

Table 1. Chemical classes, potential sources and example chemicals for compounds measured in the study.

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The Boston Globe reports Silent Spring Institute efforts to win funding for prevention-oriented environmental studies, Boston August 7, 2003.

" The majority of research money is invested in treatment research. Research into the cause of breast cancer is under-funded from all sources," said Deborah Forter, Executive Director of Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition. Article no longer available online.

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Dr. Julia Brody was honored at The Breast Cancer Fund's Annual Heroes Tribute Dinner: Strong Voices for Breast Cancer Prevention, San Francisco, April 10, 2003

Dr. Julia Brody was one of three award recipients at The Breast Cancer Fund’s Annual Heroes Tribute Dinner: Strong Voices for Breast Cancer Prevention. TBCF honored Dr. Brody in recognition of her scientific work conducting innovative breast cancer and environmental exposure research that has shed new light on the breast cancer epidemic.

TBCF also recognized Senator Deborah Ortiz, Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, for her leadership in representing the voices of California women and securing critical health legislation. TBCF’s Bella Abzug Advocacy Award went to Karen Goodson Pierce, Coordinator of the Bayview Hunters Point Health and Environmental Assessment Task Force, who has fought for the rights of health affected communities and brought attention to environmental justice issues.

For more information about The Breast Cancer Fund or the awards dinner visit: http://www.breastcancerfund.org/events_heroes_sf.htm.

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Newsday article questions safety of chemical found in Cape Cod homes

Environmental and health groups are pushing to restrict the use of phthalates—compounds used in cosmetics, toys, and medical devices—because some researchers say there is evidence that the chemicals can cause birth defects and damage the male reproductive system.

Scientists have long known that relatively large doses of some phthalates can lead to health problems, including cancer. But researchers have begun to suspect that lower levels may also have negative effects. And new research suggests that humans are being exposed to higher levels of phthalates than previously realized.

Silent Spring Institute is looking at air and house dust in 120 Cape Cod, Massachusetts houses and has found “significant concentrations” of phthalates. To read more...

http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-dsspdn3156010mar04.story. (no longer available)

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Institute's research highlighted in Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Newsletter

Huntington, NY - The Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition Newsletter, Winter 2002/2003, highlights Silent Spring Institute's work on the Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study. To read more...

http://www.hbcac.org/newsletter/winter2003/environmental.htm.

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Cape Cod editorial supports Institute's pioneering work

If not Silent Spring, who? It's pretty certain that the Cape's unusually high breast cancer rate is not related to pollutants from Massachusetts Military Reservation, nor radiation from either PAVE PAWS or Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, nor a particular power plant's electromagnetic field. In a way, though, that's bad news.

Because it would be far easier to pinpoint a single place that causes breast cancer than to identify a daunting number of environmental factors found in the water we drink and the house dust we breathe. To read more....

http://www.townonline.com/brewster/news/local_regional/cc_newcasilents11272002.htm (no longer available online)

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The Cape Codder looks at how state's fiscal woes may affect Institute, Cape Study

There is some fear on the Cape that Silent Spring will not be able to release the work that it has spent the last four years developing, or that another group will be tapped to write up a report based on Silent Spring's results. Still others say that since Silent Spring hasn't come up with a "smoking gun" that links the Cape's high breast cancer rates to the environment, its work has been dismissed.

http://www.townonline.com/brewster/news/local_regional/cc_newcasilsp11272002.htm (no longer available online)

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Institute receives Wainwright Bank Social Justice Award
In November, Wainwright Bank presented its Social Justice Award to Silent Spring Institute, and its Executive Director, Dr. Julia Brody. The Wainwright Bank Social Justice Award is provided annually to an individual and their associated nonprofit organization in appreciation for outstanding contributions to social justice.

Click here to view press release as a pdf

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September, 2002 - Silent Spring Institute unveils new web site

The new website unveiled by Silent Spring is an attempt to communicate more effectively with the community, and to increase the range of resources and data available to collaborators and concerned citizens. The website features an enhanced layout, and will shortly provide interactive features including a searchable bibliographic database, an events database, and a comprehensive news reporting system. Planned features include interactive environmental mapping and researcher tools.

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July 12, 2002 - Women's ENews Features Institute's work

CAPE COD, Mass. (WOMENSENEWS)--For residents and summer travelers, Cape Cod's bright red cranberry bogs and heron-studded marshlands define the landscape. For researchers at the Silent Spring Institute, Inc., in Newton, Massachusetts, however, Cape Cod's marshes and bogs--or more importantly, their history of contact with pesticides and weed killers--may hold information about the high incidence of breast cancer patients.
for more, please go to http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/969/context/archive

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June 28, 2002 - Silent Spring Institute to Expand Study of Environmental Pollutants in Cape Drinking Water

Institute Receives $25,000 Grant for Research on Breast Cancer Risk

Silent Spring Institute announced plans for a significant expansion of its research to identify and measure drinking water contaminants that may affect breast cancer. With funds from Massachusetts Environmental Trust, the Institute will provide new data to assess women's exposure to these contaminants, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals, and will contribute to the development of better planning tools to protect groundwater, both on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and nationwide.

Click here to view entire press release as a pdf
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June 12, 2002 - Silent Spring Institute Garners Environmental Business Award

Silent Spring Institute, and its collaborator, Applied Geographics, Inc., received the Environmental Business Council of New England's (EBC-NE) Outstanding New Technology or Application award for its use of a geographic information system (GIS) in an ". . . environmentally related application that resulted in an outstanding, distinct environmental benefit." This award, presented on June 12 at EBC-NE's first annual awards ceremony, was one of only 10 given to New England organizations.

Click here to view press release as a pdf
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February 27, 2002 - New Computer Tool Assesses Women's Pesticide Exposures

Jane Chase is concerned. "I've lived in my home since 1957. It's next to a marsh that could have been sprayed for mosquitoes. But I've no idea what pesticides were used or what long-term effects they may have."
Chase's concern is echoed by hundreds of women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer but didn't know they were at risk. They question whether chemicals in the environment may have played a role. Thanks to development of a new exposure assessment tool, the search for answers may now be easier.

In a paper published in the current issue of the Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, researchers at Silent Spring Institute, in collaboration with Applied Geographics, Inc., announce a new computer technology known as the Spatial Proximity Tool. The new method can reconstruct decades of estimated exposures to pesticides on a scale useful to public health investigations: house by house.

"Using GIS and Historical Records to Reconstruct Residential Exposure to Large-Scale Pesticide Application," describes this new technique.

Read the complete Press Release as a pdf
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December 12, 2001 - New York Times Letter to the Editor

Mammography and Breast Cancer

A recent article and editorial in the New York Times revisited the question of whether mammography and breast self-exams, two widely accepted breast cancer diagnostic methods, actually save lives or reduce the need for treatment.

In a letter to the editor, published in the Times on December 12, Ellen Parker, chair of Silent Spring Institute's Board of Directors, and Bev Baccelli, president of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, point out that it is prevention, not diagnosis and treatment, that will end the breast cancer epidemic. Environmental studies hold promise for breast cancer prevention.

Read their letter "Should I get a mammogram?" archived at the New York Times website: http://www.nytimes.com

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November 14, 2001 - GIS Day 2001

Join millions of people worldwide as they celebrate GIS Day 2001. GIS Day is a global event where thousands of users of geographic information system (GIS) technology open their doors to educate others about how GIS technology and geography affect our everyday lives. GIS Day 2001 will take place on Wednesday, November 14, 2001 during National Geographic's Geography Awareness Week, November 11-17, 2001. The principal sponsors of this year's event will once again be the National Geographic Society, the American Association of Geographers (AAG), University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), The Library of Congress, US Geological Survey, (USGS), and ESRI.

Last year thousands of organizations in 81 different countries participated and assisted in educating millions of children and adults. Once again the purpose of GIS Day is to make people aware of the substantial contributions that GIS technology is making to our communities everyday. Your participation could make a difference!

WHO: Silent Spring Institute would like to partner with Cape Cod schools to celebrate GIS Day 2001.

WHAT: We are planning to demonstrate use of the Cape Study GIS in public health and environmental research. We can also provide students with materials (an atlas of GIS-generated maps, posters, videos, and factsheets) that would give them insight into how the GIS is important in the investigation of these issues.

WHEN: During National Geography Awareness Week, November 11-17, 2001.

WHERE: Demonstrations can be arranged at either the Institute's Hyannis office or at your school.

For more information or if you are interested in participating please contact Cheryl Osimo at 508.778.1942 x100 or Jennifer Roberts at x101 or by email at cosimo@ici.net or jroberts@ici.net

Silent Spring Institute is a unique partnership of scientists, physicians, public health advocates, and community activists united around the common goal of studying associations between the environment and women's health, especially breast cancer. Last year Silent Spring Institute's Cape Cod office, located at 218 W. Main Street, Hyannis participated in GIS Day by teaming with a local, Cape Cod high school.

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July 31, 2001 - Silent Spring Interviews 2,100 Cape Cod Women

Researchers One Step Closer To Identifying Breast Cancer Risk Factors on Cape Cod

Mapping System Highlights Environmental Clues

- Cape Cod, MA. Silent Spring Institute recently concluded interviews with over 2,100 Cape Cod women with and without breast cancer in an effort to identify ways to lower breast cancer risk and to shed light on a variety of health problems on Cape Cod. The goal is to investigate the possible relationship between environmental pollution and breast cancer and to identify preventable causes of the disease, according to Julia Brody, Executive Director of Silent Spring Institute. Dr. Brody also noted that maps of the environmental features being studied on Cape Cod were recently added to the Institute's website.

State Senator Therese Murray remarked, "The completion of the interview phase marks an important milestone. I am grateful to everyone who is part of this study, the researchers and especially the Cape residents who participated, for helping make the Cape a safer place to live."

Massachusetts State Representative Demetrius Atsalis added, "The Silent Spring Institute Study is addressing the questions we all want answered about why breast cancer is higher on Cape Cod and whether there is something about the Cape environment that is putting us at risk."

The interviews included over 150 questions designed to explore the role of traditional and environmental factors in causing breast cancer. As part of the interview, women provided the addresses of all the homes they have lived in since 1948. Silent Spring Institute has been adding this information to its geographic information system (GIS) to study whether there is a link between breast cancer risk and exposure to environmental pollutants in the community. The Cape Study GIS is a sophisticated computer mapping database representing the most comprehensive source of information about health and the environment on Cape Cod. Approximately 95% of the addresses provided by the women who participated in the study have already been entered in the GIS.

In addition to collecting information about where study participants have lived since 1948, the interview included questions about personal health, mammography, exercise, and household products including cleaners and pesticide use.

Silent Spring Institute Executive Director Dr. Julia Brody explained, "We asked women about their use of pesticides and certain products that may contain estrogen mimics. We know that a woman's exposure to her own estrogen increases breast cancer risk, so researchers have been asking whether estrogen mimics in household products and environmental pollutants can also increase risk. The Cape Study will help answer this question." The estrogen-like compounds Silent Spring Institute is studying are found in everyday products including pesticides, detergents, plastics, and cosmetics.

Dr. Brody added, "Some of the compounds we are studying are also a focus of research on prostate cancer, asthma, and reproductive health problems. We anticipate the data we collect as part of the Cape Study will have important implications for breast cancer and a variety of health problems on Cape Cod, and elsewhere."

Jane Chase, a resident of South Harwich who recently underwent treatment for a recurrence of her breast cancer is a member of the Study's Public Advisory Committee. She said, "I'm thrilled that the interview phase is complete. It gives me hope that we don't have to accept breast cancer as a fact of life. It's important that we keep pushing forward to find the answers so that we can protect future generations."

With the completion of the interview phase, the Institute's attention is turning to linking the interview information with environmental data in the Cape Study GIS. In addition, Silent Spring Institute researchers are visiting 120 of the women interviewed to collect and analyze samples of household air and dust for approximately 86 chemicals.

The Cape Study is the first time a GIS has been designed to estimate multiple exposures to controversial chemicals related to breast cancer, although a similar study on Long Island is beginning to build a GIS to help evaluate whether environmental pollution may have played a role in higher levels of breast cancer there.

Cape Codders can now access much of the information in the GIS through an online atlas available on Silent Spring Institute's website, www.SilentSpring.org. This atlas does not contain individual information, which is kept confidential. Print copies of the atlas are available in Cape Cod libraries and high schools. The atlas contains information about breast cancer incidence, historical pesticide use on agriculture and tree pests, drinking water quality, census data such as income and education, and land use including the location of waste disposal sites and the dramatic transition from forested land to residential housing.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Assistant Commissioner Suzanne Condon remarked, "As results become available, MDPH will have a clearer picture of the possible role of the environment on Cape Cod and its implications statewide, which may warrant further research."

For the Cape Study Silent Spring Institute collaborates with investigators at Boston University School of Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Applied Geographics, JSI Research and Training Institute, and Southwest Research Institute. Silent Spring Institute is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to studying the links between the environment and women's health, especially breast cancer. The Cape Cod Breast Cancer and Environment Study is supported by funds appropriated by the Massachusetts Legislature and administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

For more information contact Silent Spring Institute at 617-332-4288 x28.

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July 31, 2001 - Study Documents Chemicals that are Widespread Indoors:

Reveals Gap in Our Understanding of Potential Health Effects

- Newton, MA. Results of a new study describe methods for detecting over 80 endocrine disruptors and other controversial chemicals. These chemicals were targeted because they may be important for breast cancer and other public health research. The study's authors present results from tests in seven homes, offices, and shops.

The methods study, conducted by Ruthann Rudel at Silent Spring Institute and colleagues at Southwest Research Institute and Harvard School of Public Health, appears in the April issue of the Journal of Air and Waste Management Association. In their work, the authors sought to develop new methods to investigate compounds in indoor air and dust that cause mammary tumors in animals or disrupt the human endocrine (hormone) system and may affect breast cancer.

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in the US and the leading cause of cancer death in women aged 35-54. There are few steps women can take to lower their risk. Identifying breast carcinogens could be an important advance in leading to risk reduction. With the development of these new environmental testing methods, researchers can identify what women are exposed to, and begin to prioritize the most urgent chemicals for further study.

The study involved seven locations--including homes and workplaces--and air collected during an 11-hour shopping trip. The authors analyzed the samples for 86 compounds. They found 33 of the chemicals in the dust samples and 24 in the air samples.

Although it is well-known that building materials and many household products—pesticides, detergents, plastics, and cosmetics—contain the chemicals included in this study, it is not known how much people are exposed to at home or at what levels they affect health. Dust samples in particular can be an excellent marker for historical exposures for some compounds.

In most of the samples they collected, the authors detected phthalates, which are from plastics, alklyphenols, which are from detergents, and pesticides.

The researchers are applying these new methods in over 100 homes on Cape Cod, Massachusetts as part of a large, ongoing study of breast cancer there. This larger dataset will yield a fuller picture of the most common contaminants. The study is supported by funds appropriated by the Massachusetts legislature and administered by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Silent Spring Institute is a nonprofit research organization dedicated to identifying links between the environment and women's health. The Boston Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation provided support for preparation of the manuscript.

Abstract

For more information contact Silent Spring Institute at 617-332-4288 x28.

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July 31, 2001 - Society of Toxicology To Look at Breast Carcinogens:

A Critical Step Toward Reducing Breast Cancer Risk

WHO: Society of Toxicology and Women in Toxicology

WHAT: 40th Annual Society of Toxicology Meeting Symposium Session: Breast Cancer: Issues in Screening and Testing of Potential Human Carcinogens

WHERE: Moscone Convention Center, Room 130 San Francisco, California

WHEN: Thursday, March 29, 2001 from 8:30 – 11:30 AM

In a unique session at the Society of Toxicology’s 40th annual meeting, the largest toxicology meeting and exhibition in the world, toxicologists will tackle issues relating to breast carcinogens.

Breast Cancer is the most common malignancy among women in the US and the leading cause of cancer dealth in women aged 35 – 54. Identifying breast carcinogens could lead to important advances in risk reduction.

Breast Cancer: Issues in Screening and Testing of Potential Human Carcinogens will address pressing issues on screening and testing of chemical suspects. It will provide new direction for the development of more sensitive methods to identify breast carcinogens.

Speakers will review the strengths and weaknesses of study designs used in carcinogen testing, with a focus on the results for mammary carcinogens. They will also review the epidemiology of breast cancer, including the role of hormonal factors and a girl or women’s age at the time of an environmental exposure. The session co-chairs are Society of Toxicology members Ruthann Rudel, Senior Scientist at Silent Spring Institute, and Barbara J. Davis, Director of the Laboratory of Women’s Health Research at the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences.

The meeting is open to reporters. Reporters seeking to make arrangements to cover the meeting should contact Michael McCoy at the Society of Toxicology at 703-438-3155 x327.

View the Society of Toxicology on the web