The National Toxicology Program and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences today announced the establishment of an NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction. The organizers said the center will bring together experts to evaluate data indicating that a chemical or mixtures of chemicals could impair human reproduction and development. For reasons that are "largely unknown," according to the official announcement:

• Between 5 and 10 percent of couples who want to have children cannot do so,
  

• About half of all pregnancies are not successfully completed, -- NIEHS research has shown that many fertilized fetuses disappear before the prospective mother is even aware she is pregnant --
  

• Some 3 to 5 percent of newborns suffer from major birth defects, and
  

• "A decline in human sperm counts over recent decades has been reported but not confirmed."
  

The organizers said the center is not intended to conduct research or provide counseling or medical treatment but will convene panels of 10-15 scientists with expertise in reproduction, toxicology and related areas to review the information available on the effects of a chemical on reproduction and development. Panel meetings will be open to the public and will permit public comment.

Michael D. Shelby, Ph.D., chief of the Laboratory of Toxicology at NIEHS will direct the center's activities. Dr. Shelby said, "The center was established in response to growing public concern for the effects of environmental exposures on human fertility and the health of children." He said, "Consistent, unbiased, scientifically sound evaluations [from the center] will provide a much needed service to the public, as well as to other government agencies and the scientific community."

The announcement in the Federal Register page 68782, vol. 63, Number 239 said t
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Contact: Bill Grigg
Grigg@niehs.nih.gov
301-402-3378
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
6-Jan-1999