Papers include: supp. to the carcinogenic potency database (CPD): results of animal bioassays published in 1993 to 1994; supplemental plot of the CPD; workshop on characterizing the effects of endocrine disruptors on human health at environmental exposure levels; an approach to the development of quantitative models to assess the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant levels of endocrine disruptors on homeostasis in adults; evaluating the effects of endocrine disruptors on endocrine function during development; and species, interindividual, and tissue specificity in endocrine signaling. Illustrated.

This unique new reference contains the Carcinogenic Potency Database (CPDB), which analyzes results of decades of animal cancer tests, including all Technical Reports of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and the general published literature. A guide to the literature of animal cancer tests, the CPDB includes references to each published experiment and never-before published analyses. For each of 5,000 long-term experiments on 1,300 chemicals, the user-friendly format includes data on the species, strain, and sex of the test animal; features of experimental protocol such as the route of administration, duration of dosing, dose levels, and duration of the experiment; histopathology and tumor incidence; the shape of the dose-response curve; published author's opinion about the carcinogenicity at each site; and reference to the original publication of the test results. In addition, a measure of carcinogenic potency, the TD50, its statistical significance and confidence limits, are given for each tumor site. An overview is provided of earlier publication updates, such as positivity rates, reproducibility, interspecies extrapolation, and ranking possible carcinogenic hazards. The book also includes a summary of the NTP genetic toxicity test results on 1,500 chemicals, which are referenced to the original publications, including the Salmonella (Ames) test, L5178Y mouse lymphoma cell mutation test, chromosome aberration and sister chromatid exchange tests in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells, and the sex-linked recessive lethal mutation test in Drosophila melanogaster. An index with chemicals listed by CAS number allows cross referencing between the carcinogenicity and genotoxicity databases, making data easy to find.

The scientific basis, inference assumptions, regulatory uses, and research needs in risk assessment are considered in this two-part volume. The first part, Use of Maximum Tolerated Dose in Animal Bioassays for Carcinogenicity, focuses on whether the maximum tolerated dose should continue to be used in carcinogenesis bioassays. The committee considers several options for modifying current bioassay procedures. The second part, Two-Stage Models of Carcinogenesis, stems from efforts to identify improved means of cancer risk assessment that have resulted in the development of a mathematical dose-response model based on a paradigm for the biologic phenomena thought to be associated with carcinogenesis.

Despite increasing knowledge of human nutrition, the dietary contribution to cancer remains a troubling question. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens assembles the best available information on the magnitude of potential cancer riskâ€"and potential anticarcinogenic effectâ€"from naturally occurring chemicals compared with risk from synthetic chemical constituents. The committee draws important conclusions about diet and cancer, including the carcinogenic role of excess calories and fat, the anticarcinogenic benefit of fiber and other substances, and the impact of food additive regulation. The book offers recommendations for epidemiological and diet research. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens provides a readable overview of issues and addresses critical questions: Does diet contribute to an appreciable proportion of human cancer? Are there significant interactions between carcinogens and anticarcinogens in the diet? The volume discusses the mechanisms of carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic properties and considers whether techniques used to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of synthetics can be used with naturally occurring chemicals. The committee provides criteria for prioritizing the vast number of substances that need to be tested. Carcinogens and Anticarcinogens clarifies the issues and sets the direction for further investigations into diet and cancer. This volume will be of interest to anyone involved in food and health issues: policymakers, regulators, researchers, nutrition professionals, and health advocates.

Food Chemical Risk Analysis provides an introduction to the sciences of food chemistry and risk analysis and demonstrates how the potential hazards associated with food chemicals can be assessed and managed. Food scares are never far from the news and particular attention is therefore focused on the consumer perception of risk and risk communication. Leading international experts provide unique insights in the future of food chemical risk analysis. Chapters on alternatives to animal testing show how emerging methods offer the prospect of a more rational human-based approach to toxicity testing. Discussions about relative risks and protective factors highlight the possibility that risks from food can be over-estimated and approaches to avoid such risks are proposed. The science of risk management is presented as more than just a method for translating science into policy by demonstrating how social, psychological, economic ethical and other factors can, and should be taken into account. The book makes it clear that if risk communication is to be effective, an integrated approach to risk analysis must be adopted.