A Message from the IRIS Program
December 19, 2018
The IRIS Program is committed to producing assessments in a timely and transparent manner. Since
January 2017, IRIS has been working to modernize its workflow. As part of this modernization, IRIS has
moved away from one-size-fits-all assessments to a portfolio of chemical evaluation products to meet
specific decision contexts. This approach optimizes the application of best practices in systematic review
in the IRIS Program.
As part of its commitment to transparency, the IRIS Program is providing an updated outlook of program
activities. Table 1 describes assessments that are currently in development and their projected
milestone dates. The IRIS Program is providing this information for stakeholders to be aware of
upcoming products, and to allow the public and research community an opportunity to communicate
relevant research to EPA. The anticipated dates are based on several factors, including complexity of the
assessment products and the availability of resources. While projected dates reflect the IRIS Program’s
best estimate based on available information, they are subject to change. Accordingly, updates to the
table below will be provided as needed.
For more information on public meetings and comment periods, visit the IRIS website or subscribe to
EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System Bulletin.

 Table 1. IRIS Program Outlook – December 2018
Current Status
Peer Review
Draft Development

Assessment
Ethyl tertiary butyl ether (ETBE)1

Next Anticipated Public Step(s)
Step 7: Final

Projected Date
TBD

tert-Butyl Alcohol1

Step 7: Final

TBD

Arsenic, Inorganic2

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

FY19 – Q2

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

FY20 – Q2

Step 4: External Peer Review

FY21 – Q1

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

FY19 – Q2

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

FY20 – Q1

Step 4: External Peer Review

FY20 – Q3

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

FY19 – Q4

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

FY21 – Q1

Step 4: External Peer Review

FY21 – Q2

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

TBD

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

TBD

Step 4: External Peer Review

TBD

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

TBD

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

TBD

Step 4: External Peer Review

TBD

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

TBD

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

TBD

Step 4: External Peer Review

TBD

Chromium VI2

Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs; noncancer)2

Perfluorononanoic Acid (PFNA) 3

Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) 3

Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) 3

 Current Status

Assessment

Next Anticipated Public Step(s)

Projected Date

Draft Development

Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS) 3

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

TBD

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

TBD

Step 4: External Peer Review

TBD

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

TBD

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

TBD

Step 4: External Peer Review

TBD

Step 1: IRIS Assessment Plan

FY19 – Q3

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

FY20 – Q1

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

FY20 – Q4

Step 4: External Peer Review

FY21 – Q2

Step 1: IRIS Assessment Plan

FY19 – Q2

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

FY20 – Q1

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

FY21 – Q2

Step 4: External Peer Review

FY22 – Q1

Step 1: IRIS Assessment Plan

TBD

Step 1: Systematic Review Protocol

TBD

Step 4: Public Comment Draft

TBD

Step 4: External Peer Review

TBD

Perfluorodecanoic Acid (PFDA) 3

Scoping and Problem
Formulation

Mercury salts

Methylmercury

Vanadium and Compounds

The IRIS assessments of ethyl tert-butyl ether and tert-butanol are currently undergoing external peer review by EPA’s Science Advisory BoardChemical Assessment Advisory Committee (SAB-CAAC). Upon receipt of the final external peer review report, the IRIS Program will update Table
1 with the projected date for the next public milestone. Assessments in peer-review incorporate elements of systematic review consistent with
the practices of the IRIS Program at the time of assessment development. These mature assessments may not reflect all the current IRIS
Program systematic review feature.
1

In line with recent advancements in IRIS systematic review practices, assessments already in draft development will publish a systematic review

2

 protocol for public comment to promote consistency with assessments started more recently. The publication of assessment protocols conforms
to well-established systematic review practices and implementation of National Academies’ systematic review recommendations within the IRIS
Program.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) assessments under development are in support of EPA’s Actions to Address PFAS. For more
information, visit EPA’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) website.
3