A Message from the IRIS Program
April 2019
The IRIS Program is committed to producing assessments in a timely and transparent manner. Since
January 2017, IRIS has been working to modernize its workflow. As part of this modernization, IRIS has
moved away from one-size-fits-all assessments to a portfolio of chemical evaluation products to meet
specific decision needs. This approach optimizes the application of best practices of systematic review in
the IRIS Program.
During fiscal year 2018, EPA prioritized its IRIS assessments to meet the highest needs of EPA Programs
and Regions and to bring greater focus to assessments actively under development (see December 2018
IRIS Program Outlook). Accordingly, IRIS assessments for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD),
acrylonitrile, n-butyl alcohol, and phthalates (butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diethyl
phthalate, di-isobutyl phthalate, and di-isononyl phthalate) were discontinued. New or updated
assessments for these will not be added to the IRIS database at this time. Other assessments that were
not identified as priorities for fiscal year 2019 have been suspended but may be restarted as Agency
priorities change. These include ammonia, chloroform, ethylbenzene, formaldehyde, manganese,
naphthalene, nitrite/nitrate, PAH mixtures, and uranium. Draft assessment materials previously released
on the IRIS website will remain accessible for reference on individual chemical pages. Additionally,
existing toxicity values found on IRIS will remain available for use. More information about these
chemicals can be found on the IRIS website.
Table 1 describes assessments that are currently in development and their projected milestone dates.
The IRIS Program is providing this information for stakeholders to be aware of upcoming products, and
to allow the public and research community an opportunity to communicate relevant research to EPA.
The anticipated dates are based on several factors, including complexity of the assessment products and
the availability of resources. While projected dates reflect the IRIS Program's best estimate based on
available information, they are subject to change. Accordingly, updates to the table below will be
provided as needed.
For more information on the IRIS process, public meetings and comment periods, visit the IRIS Program
website or sign-up for the EPA's Human Health Risk Assessments (HHRA) and/or IRIS Listservs.
1

-------
Table 1. IRIS Program Outlook - April 2019
Current Status
Assessment
Next Anticipated Public Step(s)
Projected Fiscal Year Quarter
Post-Peer Review
Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)
Step 7: Final
FY20 - Q3

tert-Butyl Alcohol
Step 7: Final
FY20 - Q3
Draft Development
Arsenic, Inorganic
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q3
(Anticipated release May 17,
2019. NAS review meeting Julv
16. 2019.)


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY20 - Q4


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21 - Q2

Chromium VI
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
Released March 15, 2019. Public
Science Meeting April 24, 2019.


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY21-Q1


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21-Q3

Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs; noncancer)
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4

Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY22 - Q2


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY22 - Q4

Perfluorononanoate (PFNA)1
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY20 - Q4


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21 - Q2

Perfluorobutyrate (PFBA)1
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY20 - Q3


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21 - Q1

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)1
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY20 - Q3


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21 - Q1
2

-------
Current Status
Assessment
Next Anticipated Public Step(s)
Projected Fiscal Year Quarter
Draft Development
Perfluorohexane Sulfonic Acid (PFHxS)1
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY20 - Q4


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21 - Q2

Perfluorodecanoate (PFDA)1
Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY20 - Q3


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY21 - Q1
Scoping and Problem
Formulation
Mercury salts
Step 1: IRIS Assessment Plan
FY19 - Q4

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY20 - Q2


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY21-Q3


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY22 - Q1

Methylmercury
Step 1: IRIS Assessment Plan
FY19 - Q3
(Anticipated release April 4, 2019.
Anticipated Public Science
Meeting May 15, 2019.)


Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
FY19 - Q4


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
FY22 - Q1


Step 4: External Peer Review
FY22 - Q1

Vanadium and Compounds
Step 1: IRIS Assessment Plan
FY20 - Q1


Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol
TBD


Step 4: Public Comment Draft
TBD


Step 4: External Peer Review
TBD
1Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) assessments under development are in support of EPA's Actions to Address PFAS. For more
information, visit EPA's Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) website.
3

-------