Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
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The HERO Database
The Health and Environmental Research Online (HERO) database provides an easy way to view the scientific literature behind EPA science assessments.
The database includes more than 300,000 scientific articles from the peer-reviewed literature used by EPA to develop its Integrated Science Assessments (ISA) that feed into the NAAQS review. It also includes references and data from the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), a database that supports critical agency policymaking for chemical regulation. Risk assessments characterize the nature and magnitude of health risks to humans and the ecosystem from pollutants and chemicals in the environment.
HERO is an EVERGREEN database. This means that new studies are continuously added so scientists can keep abreast of new research. References are then sorted, classified and made available through HERO.
HERO is part of the open government directive to conduct business with transparency, participation, and collaboration. Every American has the right to know the data behind EPA's regulatory process. Through HERO, the public can participate in the decision-making process.
Integrated Science Assessments (ISAs) for Criteria Air Pollutants
View the studies cited in the 2011 Lead Integrated Science Assessment First External Review Draft
View the studies considered for the 2011 Lead Integrated Science Assessment First External Review Draft
5/6/2011: EPA announced that the First External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Lead (Pb) has been made available for independent peer review and public review. This draft ISA represents a concise synthesis and evaluation of the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision regarding whether the current standards for Pb sufficiently protect public health and the environment. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the 2011 Ozone Integrated Science Assessment First External Review Draft
3/4/2011: EPA released the First External Review Draft of the Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Ozone (O3) and Related Photochemical Oxidants. This draft document is EPA's latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to O3. The development of this document is part of the Agency's periodic review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for O3, and will provide the scientific basis to inform EPA decisions. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the 2010 Carbon Monoxide Integrated Science Assessment
1/29/2010: EPA released the final Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Carbon Monoxide (CO). This is EPA's latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to CO. The development of this document is part of the Agency's periodic review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for CO, and will provide the scientific basis to inform EPA decisions. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the 2009 Particulate Matter Integrated Science Assessment
12/15/09: EPA released the final Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Particulate Matter (PM). This is EPA's latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the potential human health and welfare effects associated with ambient exposures to PM. The development of this document is part of the Agency's periodic review of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for PM, and will provide the scientific basis to inform EPA decisions. Read the assessment.
12/12/08: EPA released the final Integrated Science Assessment (ISA) for Oxides of Nitrogen and Sulfur - Ecological Criteria. This is EPA's latest evaluation of the scientific literature on the most policy-relevant science and will ultimately provide the scientific bases for EPA's decision on retaining or revising the current secondary standards for NO2 and SO2. There are significant new data, particularly with regards to acidification and nitrogen enrichment, that strengthen the evidence for these effects since the release of the last scientific review. Read the assessment.
Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Chemical Assessments
View the studies used in the Toxicological Review of Chloroprene
Chloroprene (C4H5Cl) is a volatile, flammable liquid used primarily in the manufacture of polychloroprene or neoprene rubber. The latter is used to make diverse products, such as tires, wire coatings, and tubing. Human health risk concerns for chloroprene are primarily related to exposures via effluent and emissions from facilities that use chloroprene to produce polychloroprene elastomers or transport the product, although these exposure concerns have not been well characterized. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the Toxicological Review of 1,4 Dioxane
The draft Toxicological Review of 1,4-dioxane provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-Dioxane is commonly used as a solvent, cleaning agent, chemical stabilizer, surface coatings, adhesive agent, and an ingredient in chemical manufacture. Human health risk concerns for 1,4-dioxane are primarily related to exposure from drinking, ground, and surface waters, although these exposure concerns have not been well characterized. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the Toxicological Review of Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (also known as 2-butoxyethanol) is a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. It is widely used as a solvent in various applications such as in surface coatings, spray lacquer, quick-dry lacquers, enamels, varnishes, varnish removers, latex paint, and metal cleaners and in commercially available cleaning products. Human exposure to EGBE is predominantly occupational via inhalation and dermal contact with household products containing EGBE. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the Toxicological Review of Acrylamide
Acrylamide is a chemical used in the production of polyacrylamide polymers. Polyacrylamides are used as a flocculent in water purification, oil recovery, and soil conditioning and stabilization. Other uses include paper making, adhesion-promotion, dye acceptors, and textile additives. Human exposure to acrylamide had been thought to occur primarily in the workplace from dermal contact and inhalation of dust and vapor, with the general public being potentially exposed to low levels of acrylamide primarily through contaminated drinking water. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the Toxicological Review of Methanol
Methanol is a high production volume chemical with many commercial uses. It is a basic building block for numerous chemicals. Many of its derivatives are used in the construction, housing or automotive industries. Consumer products that contain methanol include varnishes, shellacs, paints, windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, adhesives, deicers, and Sterno heaters. This draft IRIS health assessment addresses both non-cancer and cancer human health effects that may result from chronic exposure to this chemical. Read the assessment.
Other Assessments
8/13/2010: This draft document presents a case study of engineered nanoscale silver (nano-Ag), focusing on the specific example of nano-Ag as possibly used in disinfectant sprays. Read the assessment.
View the studies used in the Graphical Arrays
9/24/2009: Graphical Arrays of Chemical-Specific Health Effect Reference Values for Inhalation Exposures provides graphical arrays and tables of key information on the derivation of human inhalation health effect reference values for specific chemicals, allowing comparisons across durations, populations, and intended use.
View the studies used in the Nanoscale Titanium Dioxide External Review Draft
7/31/2009: This draft document presents two case studies of nanoscale titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) used (1) to remove arsenic from drinking water and (2) as an active ingredient in topical sunscreen. Read the assessment.
| Basic Information Frequent Questions | How to Use HERO Risk Assessment Process | Transparency & Integrity Glossary |
Top Three Questions
Evaluating Scientific Literature
Read about how EPA scientists use HERO to find and evaluate key studies.
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Literature Search: Comprehensively and efficiently searching the world's literature.
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Screening and Sorting : Innovative and cutting-edge tools used to sort and classify studies.
- Identifying Key Studies : A systematic, transparent and collaborative process involving peer review and public participation.
Transparency - Participation - Collaboration
Public participation, transparency and collaboration are key elements to the success of HERO. The Open Government Directive is to break down long-standing barriers between the federal government and you. HERO helps accomplish this by sharing the scientific literature used in risk assessment development.
