What is an Integrated Risk Information System?
The Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) www.epa.gov/iris is an electronic database that contains information on substances in the environment that are known to cause human health effects. There are over 500 substances listed in this database. You don’t necessarily need extensive training in toxicology to search through the IRIS website; however, some knowledge of health sciences is certainly useful.IRIS is a U.S. EPA based system which is prepared and maintained by the National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) within the Office of Research and Development (ORD). http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/
What information can I find on the IRIS website?
IRIS data focuses on how hazardous a substance is. You can search the IRIS system for documents and reports that explain the health effects of substances that are both non-cancerous and cancerous. When searching for a particular substance, you can learn its toxicity value and how carcinogenic it is.The data in IRIS can also be used to explain the public health risks of a chemical in a given situation. This information can help to form risk management decisions designed to protect public health.
For substances posted to the database. You can search health effects information using three different formats:
- Quick View is a quick reference guide to key carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic substances contained in the IRIS database.
- IRIS Summary will provide you toxicity values of these substances and information supporting those values, including the effects, studies, uncertainty factors, and key references.
- Toxicological Review provides more thorough analysis and documentation of these substances. It also offers scientific support for the IRIS human health assessments.