Pentachlorophenol

Overview

EPA is conducting a peer review of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of pentachlorophenol that will appear in the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.

Background

The draft Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol provides scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment pertaining to chronic exposure to pentachlorophenol. Pentachlorophenol is a wood preservative used to prevent decay from fungal organisms and insect damage. Use by the public was restricted in 1984, and application was limited to industrial areas. It has been reported in food, surface water, groundwater, rainwater, and soil. People who work or reside in close proximity to wood treatment facilities, treated lumber, or hazardous waste sites are likely exposed.

This assessment contains a revised oral reference dose (RfD) for chronic noncancer health effects as well as a revised oral cancer risk estimate.

History/Chronology

Date	Description
Jan 1987	EPA posted the pentachlorophenol assessment on the IRIS database (RfD only).
Mar 1991	EPA posted the carcinogenicity assessment for oral exposure to pentachlorophenol on the IRIS database.
May 2009	EPA released an updated draft report for public review and comment.
Jun 2009	EPA announced a public listening session for the draft review report.
Jun 2009	EPA announced a external peer review meeting to be held August 4th in Arlington, VA.
Oct 2009	EPA releases the comments from the public comment period and external review workshop.

Status

Following the External Peer Review, the final assessment will be published on the IRIS database.

Additional Information

Comments on the assessment may be submitted and reviewed using the e-Government Regulations.gov Web site. From the site, select Environmental Protection Agency and the keyword EPA-HQ-ORD-2009-0178 (for the docket ID) to comment on this report.

This download(s) is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review under applicable information quality guidelines. It has not been formally disseminated by EPA. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any Agency determination or policy.

• Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol (External Review Draft) (PDF)  (240  pp, 1.5 MB, about PDF)
• Charge to External Peer Reviewers (PDF)  (4  pp, 22.5 KB, about PDF)
• Consolidated Comments from the External Peer Review (Final) (PDF)  (42  pp, 601.6 KB, about PDF)

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Document Related Link(s)

• IRIS Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol (Interagency Science Discussion Draft)
• IRIS Toxicological Review of Pentachlorophenol (Final Report)

Federal Register Notices

• FR Notice: Jun 29, 2009
• FR Notice: Jun 9, 2009
• FR Notice: May 7, 2009