Basic Information for FSTRAC
What is FSTRAC?
The goal of the Federal-State Toxicology and Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC) is to share information that supports the development of well-rounded, integrated approaches to effects assessment, risk assessment, risk management, risk communication, and standard-setting for drinking water, groundwater, and surface water contaminants. While the primary focus is on human health risk assessment, FSTRAC is also interested in ecological risk assessment methods and ecotoxicology topics. Regularly scheduled FSTRAC webinars are held to discuss human health (and ecological, as needed) risk analysis as it relates to exposure to contaminants that are present in waters. FSTRAC provides states, Tribes, the EPA, other federal health agencies, and other regulatory entities access to information that can improve regulatory actions, prevent duplication of efforts, and promote consistent risk analyses across the country.
FSTRAC is composed of representatives from state, Tribal, territorial, local, and federal health and environmental agencies, international health and environmental authorities, and representatives from drinking water and clean water administrative organizations.
History of FSTRAC
In 1985, the EPA’s Office of Water, Office of Science and Technology identified the need to build better relationships with states and Tribes by exchanging research priorities and results, policy concerns, and technical information (i.e., toxicity/exposure data and analysis, and methodologies and assumptions used for assessing risks) regarding water-related human health risk assessment. To address this need, the EPA formed FSTRAC. From 1985 to 2011, the EPA hosted in-person FSTRAC meetings. Since 2012, the EPA has hosted virtual FSTRAC meetings via webinar.