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112(o) - National Academy of Sciences Study on Risk Assessment
(o) National Academy of Sciences Study: Requires the EPA and the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a review of the EPA's risk assessment methodology and to report to Congress concerning the findings of the study. The study must address both cancer and non-cancer risks. The contact for this NAS report is Dennis Pagano (pagano.dennis@epa.gov).
The full text of CAA Section 112(o) follows:
(o) National Academy of Sciences Study.-
(1) Request of the academy.- Within 3 months of the date of
enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, the Adminis-
trator shall enter into appropriate arrangements with the
National Academy of Sciences to conduct a review of -
(A) risk assessment methodology used by the Environmen-
tal Protection Agency to determine the carcinogenic risk
associated with exposure to hazardous air pollutants from
source categories and subcategories subject to the
requirements of this section; and
(B) improvements in such methodology.
(2) Elements to be studied.- In conducting such review, the
National Academy of Sciences should consider, but not be
limited to, the following -
(A) the techniques used for estimating and describing
the carcinogenic potency to humans of hazardous air
pollutants; and
(B) the techniques used for estimating exposure to
hazardous air pollutants (for hypothetical and actual
maximally exposed individuals as well as other exposed
individuals).
(3) Other health effects of concern.- To the extent
practicable, the Academy shall evaluate and report on the
methodology for assessing the risk of adverse human health
effects other than cancer for which safe thresholds of exposure
may not exist, including, but not limited to, inheritable
genetic mutations, birth defects, and reproductive
dysfunctions. (4) Report.- A report on the results of such
review shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on
Environment and Public Works, the House Committee on Energy and
Commerce, the Risk Assessment and Management Commission
established by section 303 of the Clean Air Act Amendments of
1990 and the Administrator not later than 30 months after the
date of enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
(5) Assistance.- The Administrator shall assist the Academy
in gathering any information the Academy deems necessary to
carry out this subsection. The Administrator may use any
authority under this Act to obtain information from any person,
and to require any person to conduct tests, keep and produce
records, and make reports respecting research or other activi-
ties conducted by such person as necessary to carry out this
subsection.
(6) Authorization.- Of the funds authorized to be
appropriated to the Administrator by this Act, such amounts as
are required shall be available to carry out this subsection.
(7) Guidelines for carcinogenic risk assessment.- The
Administrator shall consider, but need not adopt, the recommen-
dations contained in the report of the National Academy of
Sciences prepared pursuant to this subsection and the views of
the Science Advisory Board, with respect to such report. Prior
to the promulgation of any standard under subsection (f), and
after notice and opportunity for comment, the Administrator
shall publish revised Guidelines for Carcinogenic Risk Assess-
ment or a detailed explanation of the reasons that any
recommendations contained in the report of the National Academy
of Sciences will not be implemented. The publication of such
revised Guidelines shall be a final Agency action for purposes
of section 307.