Project for the re-evaluation of mammalian toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds
Announcement of Public Session to be held on 27 June 2005
World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Salle D at 10:30 to 17:00
The World Health Organization, working through IPCS, is seeking views of stakeholders and interested parties on the current project for the re-evaluation of mammalian toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) of dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. WHO will hold a Public Session on 27 June 2005 at its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The purpose of this meeting is to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties to present their views on specific questions to be addressed in this project. The discussions in the public session will be considered in the expert workshop that will be held directly after the public session, as well as in follow-up activities.
The aspects to be addressed in the Public Session can be summarized as follows:
- Validity of the TEF approach for its intended purpose
- Characterizing and presenting uncertainty of the TEFs
- Methods and approaches for the derivation of TEFs in general, including the criteria for determining their potency relative to 2,3,7,8-tertachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
- Evaluation of new information on mono-ortho PCBs
- Evaluation of new information on OCDD (octachloro dibenzo dioxin)
- Consideration of other compounds for inclusion in TEF concept
- Natural Ah receptor ligands – possible implication for TEF concept
- Use and application of TEF concept in risk management (external vs internal TEFs; mammalian TEFs for use in other media, e.g. soil)
All participants of the expert workshop will be present during the public session. Each participant of the public session will have the opportunity to make a 15 minute presentation. Computer equipment for making a PowerPoint presentation for example, will be available. It is recommended that for each organization/interest group or company, only one presenter is announced in order to allow all interested parties to present their views.
Persons and organizations interested may apply to attend the Public Session but, for organizational and security reasons, ENTRY WILL BE BY INVITATION ONLY. As space is limited those who are interested should submit a request to the e-mail address ipcsmail@who.int as soon as possible. The request should include ‘TEF review project’ in the subject line, the sender's name and institutional affiliation and which topic they are most interested in and/or want to present on. Submission of written comments before the session is encouraged as this will allow distribution of the comments to all workshop participants.
Unfortunately WHO is unable to meet any costs involved in attending the Public Session.