NTP Studies: Focusing on the Future

Human Services in 1978 to coordinate toxicological testing programs within the department, strengthen the science base in toxicology, and provide information about potentially toxic chemicals to health regulatory and research agencies , the scientific and medical communities, and the public. With more than 80,000 chemicals registered for commercial use in the United States and an estimated 2,000 new ones introduced annually for use in products used every day, the NTP has its work cut out for it—prioritization is crucial for the program to meet the challenge of studying the compounds and chemicals of the most concern to the most consumers. The NTP continuously solicits and reviews nominations for toxicological studies to be undertaken on substances of potential human health concern. Nominations are accepted from academia, federal and state regulatory and health agencies, industry, labor unions, environmental groups, and the general public. Substances are generally studied for reproductive and developmental toxicity, genotoxicity, immunotoxicity, metabolism and disposition, and carcinogenicity. At the 24 May 2000 meeting of the pro-gram's Board of Scientific Counselors, participants endorsed five areas of ongoing NTP study that are expected to receive even more attention in coming years. Although identified as focus areas, NTP studies are not restricted to these five areas; instead, their " focus " status merely reflects the growing importance and presence of the chemical exposures involved in these areas in the daily lives of large segments of the population. Open communication and dialogue with federal and state agencies, industry, stakeholders, academia, and the public are crucial for the success of NTP projects. NTP conferences and workshops give researchers, regulators, policy makers, and the public the chance to examine issues together, exchange information, and reach some agreement on future directions for toxicology and risk assessment. NTP testing and research results, program plans, and other publications are distributed through mailings, Federal Register announcements, an e-mail mailing list, and the NTP home page at http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/. In addition, online searchable access and printed copies of NTP publications including the Report on Carcinogens, NTP technical reports, NTP toxicity studies, and other NTP documents are available through the Environmental Health Information Service at http://ehis.niehs.nih.gov/. Individuals or organizations who wish to nominate chemicals for NTP study should contact