NSF International To Present On Emerging Public Health Issues At The 50th Annual Society Of Toxicology Meeting

Symposium to Highlight New Developments in Toxicology and their Application in Setting Safe Levels for Certain Chemicals

Washington — Scientists from NSF International, an independent organization committed to improving and protecting human health, will highlight emerging global public health issues at the 50th Anniversary Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, which will be attended by more than 7,000 scientists in Washington, D.C. from March 6 to 10, 2011. NSF International publishes toxicological risk assessments for chemicals that may be found in drinking water and has presented at the annual Society of Toxicology meeting for more than a decade. This year, NSF will chair a symposium session on human health risk assessment and will present three scientific posters.

WHAT: The Symposium will address new developments in research that help experts understand the ways in which environmental chemicals can create toxic effects and help them determine levels at which these chemicals can be considered safe.

WHY: Harnessing this research will help improve scientists' ability to better predict toxicity and prevent related diseases.

WHO: Toxicologists from NSF International and the U.S. EPA will convene world-renowned scientists to present cutting-edge research to address two key questions: "When is exposure not exposure?" and "What is an adverse effect?"

WHEN/WHERE: The symposium: "When Is Exposure Not Exposure? Defining the Dose-Response Region between ‘Effect' and ‘Adverse Effect' Implications for Human Health Risk Assessment" will be held on Tuesday, March 8 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM EST in Room 147 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Scientists from NSF International will present three posters on Tuesday, March 8 from 1:00 to 4:30 PM EST in the main convention hall highlighting projects that helped determine acceptable levels of certain chemicals in drinking water including:

• Abstract #1531 (Poster Board -539) on a drinking water risk assessment for ethyl tertiary-butyl ether (ETBE), which can leach into drinking water from certain types of plastic pipe. NSF scientists have determined the maximum level this chemical can be present in your water to assure it is safe to drink.
• Abstract #1532 (Poster Board -540) on hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical that has been used as an antiseptic on your skin but it can also be used to help disinfect drinking water. NSF scientists have determined the maximum level this chemical can be present in your water to assure it is safe to drink.
• Abstract #1536 (Poster Board -544) on accidental or intentional adulteration of municipal drinking water. This project was done for the State of Pennsylvania who is concerned with how and when to warn the public of drinking water contamination.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND NSF'S PRESENTATIONS: Toxicologists, biotechnologists, molecular biologists, as well as experts in food safety, risk assessment, pathology, and occupational and public health should plan to attend NSF's presentations.

For more information about these presentations or NSF International's Toxicology services, stop by ToxExpo Booth #263 or contact Clif McLellan. If you would like to set up an interview with an NSF expert, email houlahan@nsf.org.

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, certifies products and writes standards for food, water and consumer goods to protect human health and the environment (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.

NSF International has published toxicological risk assessments for multiple chemicals that may be found in drinking water to help identify critical toxicological effects. NSF also developed the American national public health standards for all chemicals used to treat drinking water and materials/products coming into contact with drinking water. In 1988, the U.S. EPA replaced its own drinking water programs with these NSF standards, which are now the national standards for drinking water. NSF International is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

• NSF/ANSI Standard 60: Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals is the nationally-recognized health effects standard for chemicals used to treat drinking water.
• NSF/ANSI Standard 61: Drinking Water System Components is the nationally-recognized health effects standard for all devices, components and materials that come in contact with drinking water.

Additional NSF services include NSF Education and Training programs, safety audits for the food and water industries, and management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR).

SOURCE: NSF International