The IARC 2016 Cancer Evaluation: Research Directions To Help Public Health Agencies Move Forward.

This presentation will summarize IARC's new classifications of PCBs and of dioxin-like PCBs as "carcinogenic to humans," then will discuss further research needs such as identifying sets of congeners that cause other preneoplastic effects such as genotoxicity, receptor binding, and oxidative stress. The talk will be part of a half-day session with the following structure (under development) ... PCB regulations for health protection: Recent actions, ongoing initiatives, and future perspectives. Chairs: Helen Håkansson & Vince Cogliano Session will include an introductory review of scientific milestones in the history of PCB regulations, which will be followed by up-to-date state-of-the-art information on recent regulatory actions, as well as currently ongoing regulatory work and methodological efforts. Focus will be on the various approaches that have or are being employed to identify and assess PCB-hazards, the newest regulatory goals achieved or aimed for, and how to fill the currently identified gaps and needs in order to facilitate further health-protective progress. 1.Session introductory talk: Scientific milestones in support of health-based PCB regulations. Speaker: Helen Håkansson 2.Current European limit values for PCBs (DLs and NDLs) in food and feed. Speaker: To be confirmed (Frans Verstrate contacted) 3.The JECFA NDL-PCB Safety Evaluation. Findings, including gaps, and ways forward. Speaker: To be confirmed (Angelika Tritcher contacted) 4.Update on the progress and goals of the US EPA PCB assessment. Speaker: Geniece Lehmann 5.Text mining - a novel digital tool to address large volumes of data in PCB toxicity and risk assessment. Speaker: Imran Ali 6.Urgent needs: Gaps in IARC 2015 and in other areas that can help regulators to move forward and Session closing note. Speaker: Vince Cogliano

Impact/Purpose

Abstract of a presentation at the 10th International PCB Workshop, to be held in Krakow, Poland, during August 2018. The organizers asked Dr Cogliano to discuss IARC's upgraded classification of PCBs to "carcinogenic to humans" and its implications for further research needs and for health agencies. Previously, Dr Cogliano chaired the IARC Working Group that upgraded the classification of PCBs. He has participated in the 1st and 8th PCB workshops, both held in the U.S.

Citation

Cogliano, V. The IARC 2016 Cancer Evaluation: Research Directions To Help Public Health Agencies Move Forward. 10th International PCB Workshop, Krakow, Poland, POLAND, August 26 - 30, 2018.