Jahnke, GD; Iannucci, AR; Scialli, AR; Shelby, MD
The NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) was established by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in 1998 to address the impact of chemical exposures on human reproductive and developmental health. The CERHR also serves as an environmental and reproductive health resource for government agencies and the general public. CERHR evaluations involve the critical review of reproductive, developmental, and other relevant toxicity data by independent panels of scientists. The main products are expert panel reports and NTP monographs. The public has opportunities to nominate chemicals for evaluation to CERHR, to recommend scientists to serve on expert panels, and to provide oral comments at the panel meeting and written comments on draft and final expert panel reports. The NTP evaluates these comments, the conclusions of the expert panel, and any new data not available at the time of the panel meeting, and prepares a NTP brief describing in plain language NTP’s conclusions on the reproductive and developmental hazard from chemical exposures. The expert panel report, public comments, and NTP brief comprise the NTP monograph on the chemical. Over the last five years, CERHR conducted expert panel meetings, published expert panel reports, and prepared NTP monographs on seven phthalates (DEHP, DINP, DIDP, DnOP, DnHP, DBP, BBP), methanol, 1-bromopropane, 2-bromopropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and fluoxetine (Prozac®; Sarafem™). Additionally, CERHR has conducted a 2-day workshop on the role of thyroid hormones in reproductive and developmental health. This presentation highlights the NTP conclusions from these meetings. The NTP monographs, expert panel reports, other CERHR publications, and information on reproductive health topics can be accessed through the CERHR web site (http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov) or by contacting the CERHR office at NIEHS.