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tial for additional adverse effects in people and laboratory animals. It was agreed 

 that these data would be critical for the development of a biologically-based under- 

 standing of the responses to exposure to dioxin and related compounds, as suggested 

 by the EPA Science Advisory Board (SAB) in 1989, in its advice to the Agency re- 

 garding future evaluation of these compounds. The second was the January 1991 

 publication of a major National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 

 (NIOSH) study of cancer mortality in U.S. chemical workers exposed to dioxin. 



Although the reassessment is not yet complete, it appears that the approach 

 taken has resulted in a significant understanding of the issues under discussion by 

 all involved, and has been well received. In this sense, the approach used in this 

 reassessment of dioxin and related compounds can serve as a model for the assess- 

 ment of other substances. The dioxin reassessment has been noteworthy in its open- 

 ness and participatory nature. It has involved a large segment of the expert sci- 

 entific community as authors and reviewers. From the outset, it has used public 

 comment and participation from various stakeholders — industry, environmental 

 groups, veterans, Native Americans, and others — to frame the issues and assure 

 that all points of view were considered. It also fostered extensive collaboration in 

 data development, writing and review across the Federal agencies with an interest 

 in dioxin. 



Senator Reid. Do you know when the dioxin study will be re- 

 leased? 



Dr. Foley. Yes. We expect to make a decision by the end of the 

 week on the release date. Right now, we are looking at August 15th 

 for the release date of an extramural review draft of the document. 

 But we will be making that decision finally by the end of the week. 



Senator Reid. We have been looking at the reauthorization of 

 TSCA. One area that a number of witnesses have discussed is pol- 

 lution prevention and the need to bring that more directly to 

 TSCA. I know the EPA Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic 

 Substances has been working with the industry on several pollu- 

 tion prevention efforts. 



I would like to know what work ORD is doing to enhance or im- 

 prove pollution prevention. 



Dr. FOLEY. I mentioned that we have a number of guiding prin- 

 ciples the Administrator has set for all offices within the agency to 

 adopt and build into everything we do. Pollution prevention is one 

 of those guiding principles. 



In our research that focuses on how to prevent risks — a risk re- 

 duction and risk management type of approach — pollution preven- 

 tion is a very fundamental part of that. We are moving more and 

 more to funding projects like that. In addition, the environmental 

 technology initiative that we have undertaken as a presidential ini- 

 tiative is trying to promote pollution prevention wherever possible 

 as the approach for dealing with activities. 



So it is a major guiding theme for ORD, but also for the rest of 

 the agency. 



Senator Reid. I appreciate that. 



We see now coming into the room Dr. Genevieve Matanoski, who 

 is the chairman of the Science Advisory Board. 



Would you come forward, please? We have been waiting with 

 bated breath for you. We appreciate your being here. On this panel 

 has been Dr. Foley and Dr. Schaefer. We have basically completed 

 the questions of them and we would ask you to give your opening 

 statement and then we may have a question or two for you. 



I appreciate your being here. 



