By Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 8, 2021, that it released an updated and improved version of OncoLogic™, a system used to evaluate a chemical’s potential to cause cancer.  EPA states that, in partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), it developed “a more user-friendly version of the most widely used piece of this system, greatly expanding its usability across the agency and the scientific community.”  According to EPA, the updated module (version 9) is used to analyze organic chemicals, the largest group of chemicals contained in this tool.  It features:

• A streamlined interface that does not require expert knowledge to navigate;
• A standardized reporting format that allows users to view and export results quickly; and
• Increased transparency in the science behind the predictions provided by the model.

EPA notes that OncoLogic™ is one of many publicly available assessment methods, databases, and predictive tools it developed to estimate hazard to humans and the environment, particularly in the absence of test data.  According to EPA, these tools and models support it in implementing programs and regulations, such as the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and help external users assess and manage chemical risks.  EPA states that version 8.0, which continues to include modules for fibers, metals, and polymers, will remain available to the public.