Rachel's Gets It Wrong.......

["Alex J. Sagady & Associates" <ajs@sagady.com>]

X-From_: riskanal@bbs.pnl.gov Sat May 29 11:47:51 1999
Date: Sat, 29 May 1999 08:45:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Bob Howd <BHOWD@oehha.ca.gov>
Subject: Fwd: Rachel #652: The Waning Days of Risk Assessment
Sender: riskanal@bbs.pnl.gov
To: ajs@sagady.com
Errors-to: jim.dukelow@pnl.gov
Errors-to: jim.dukelow@pnl.gov
Reply-to: Bob Howd <BHOWD@oehha.ca.gov>
Originator: riskanal@listserv.pnl.gov
Comments: Risk Analysis discussion list

The newsletter forwarded by Gary Napp (RACHEL'S ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH =
WEEKLY #652) was written by the newsletter editor, Peter Montague, with =
specific reference to a review of risk assessment procedures and policies* =
written by me and two colleagues at Cal/EPA.  Several statements and =
conclusions in this newsletter are falsely credited to us.   For example, =
the newsletter says,=20

<<Furthermore Fan, Howd and Davis point out that
    =20
** Genetic damage is a non-threshold event. That is, any amount=20
of a gene-damaging substance can cause damage. Only zero is=20
safe. If such damage occurs in a germ cell, it may be inherited=20
by successive generations.

** Likewise, damage to the developmental system is a=20
non-threshold event. A single exposure by an effective toxin may=20
cause damage and such an exposure may have lifelong effects.=20
Only zero is safe.>>

We did not write these statements, nor make these conclusions.  We did not =
declare "Only zero is safe" for any chemical, including mutagenic =
carcinogens.   The Rachel newsletter radically misrepresents our discussion=
 of risk assessment procedures.   =20

Please see our review for our actual discussion and conclusions (reprints =
available upon request). =20


* A. Fan, R. Howd, and B. Davis, "Risk Assessment of Environmental =
Chemicals," ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY Vol. 35 (1995), =
pgs. 341-368.


Robert A. Howd, Ph.D.
OEHHA, Cal/EPA
1515 Clay St., 16th Fl.
Oakland, CA 94612
bhowd@oehha.ca.gov



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