Sciences’ Experts Present Statistical Analysis to EPA’s Scientific Advisory Panel.

Sciences’ Vice President Dr. Rick Reiss and affiliate Dr. David Gaylor presented to the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) on a meta-analysis of toxicity data for the insecticide dimethoate. Many chemicals, particularly those that have been in production for long periods of time, have multiple toxicological studies for the same endpoints. The variance in results from these studies may be the result of random variability in responses. A more accurate estimate of the dose-response can be obtained by considering all of the available data. Meta-analysis can be used to provide the most statistically accurate dose-response from multiple studies. Sciences recently conducted a meta-analysis of toxicity data for the insecticide dimethoate for the producer of the chemical. Sciences analyzed the available data for dimethoate and determined that the most sensitive endpoint for risk assessment was cholinesterase inhibition and that the dose-response was highly dependent on the route of exposure. This analysis was presented to EPA’s FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (see SAP results here) and the Panel accepted the use of the meta-analysis and the conclusion that dimethoate is appropriately regulated by using cholinesterase inhibition as the most sensitive endpoint.

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