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IRIS Toxicological Review and Summary Documents For 1,4 Dioxane (Peer Review Plan)

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1,4 -Dioxane is a cyclic ether that is primarily utilized for industrial applications. These applications include 1,4 -dioxane as a solvent, reaction medium, wetting, degreasing, and dispersing agent, and for stabilization of chlorinated solvents (e.g. 1,1,1 -trichloroethane). Due to 1,4 -dioxane's high solubility and hydrolysis resistant nature there is concern for accumulation in surface, ground, and drinking water. EPA's assessment of the carcinogenic potential of 1,4 -dioxane was added to the IRIS database in 1988. The IRIS Program is preparing an assessment which will incorporate health effects information available for 1,4 -dioxane, as well as risk current assessment methods. The new IRIS assessment is a critical review of the physiochemical and toxicokinetic properties of a chemical; and its toxicity in humans and experimental systems. The assessment will present reference values for the noncancer effects of 1,4 -dioxane (RfD and RfC), where supported by available data, and a cancer assessment. The Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary will be subject to internal peer consultation, Agency review, and external scientific peer review. The final product will reflect the Agency opinion on the toxicity of 1,4 - dioxane.

Impact/Purpose

EPA is undertaking an update of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) health assessment for 1,4 -dioxane. The outcome of this project will be an updated Toxicological Review and IRIS Summary of 1,4 -dioxane that will be entered on the IRIS data base. IRIS is an EPA database containing Agency scientific positions on potential adverse human health effects that may result from chronic (or lifetime) exposure to chemicals in the environment. IRIS contains chemical-specific summaries of qualitative and quantitative health information in support of two steps of the risk assessment process, i.e., hazard identification and dose-response evaluation. IRIS assessments are used nationally and internationally in combination with specific situational exposure assessment information to evaluate potential public health risks associated with environmental contaminants. The IRIS database is relied on for the development of risk assessments, site-specific environmental decisions, and rule making.

Citation

U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review and Summary Documents For 1,4 Dioxane (Peer Review Plan). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

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Last updated on March 19, 2019