The EPA studies the human health effects of chemicals and other pollutants. These studies help to determine safe levels of exposure and to enable the Agency to issue guidelines for the safe production and disposal of products that may contain these substances. The Agency produces fact sheets containing information on the reproductive effects, carcinogenicity and effects on children of specific substances. The Agency also directs attention to pollutants and environmental conditions that trigger asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• OPPTS Harmonized Test Guidelines: Series 870 - Health Effects Test Guidelines
  The harmonized test guidelines have been developed for use in the testing of pesticides and toxic substances, and the development of test data that must be submitted to the Agency for review under Federal regulations.
• Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants
  The fact sheets available on this Web page describe the effects on human health of substances that are defined as hazardous.
• IRIS: Integrated Risk Information System
  A database of human health effects that may result from exposure to various substances found in the environment.