Much of the work carried out by DTT is in support of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), an interagency partnership of the Food and Drug Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and NIEHS.
Report on Carcinogens
Ruth M. Lunn, Dr.P.H.
Ruth Lunn, Dr.P.H., is the director of the Office of the Report on Carcinogens. The RoC is a congressionally-mandated document, prepared on behalf of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services that lists and discusses substances that cause or are anticipated to cause cancer. Preparation of the RoC follows a formal, multi-step process that includes scientific review and opportunity for public comment. Lunn provides scientific expertise needed for the overall evaluation of substances for their potential to cause cancer in humans and is responsible for preparing the final draft of the RoC. She has worked with the RoC since 2000, initially as a staff scientist, and later as director or head of the RoC. During this time, she led or contributed to over 50 published cancer hazard assessments, developed methods for conducting systematic reviews, and co-authored numerous publications related to cancer hazards, including an analysis that evaluated the influence of the RoC. Lunn also serves on national and international scientific committees and working groups.
Prior to joining the RoC, she completed postdoctoral work at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and received a Dr.P.H. in environmental health sciences from Columbia University, New York, New York. She also earned a M.S. in microbiology and immunology and a Master of Clinical Microbiology (M.C.M.) from Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Recent Publications
- Lunn R, Clemons M, Blain R, Mahabir S, Mehta S, Rooney A, Singh A, Smith-Roe S, Taylor K, Tracy W, Zarco M, Fenton S. Identifying the known and unknown health hazard information for chemical disasters: a phased scoping review of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology. 2025 Sep 12 [Epub ahead of print]. [ AbstractLunn R, Clemons M, Blain R, Mahabir S, Mehta S, Rooney A, Singh A, Smith-Roe S, Taylor K, Tracy W, Zarco M, Fenton S. Identifying the known and unknown health hazard information for chemical disasters: a phased scoping review of the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology. 2025 Sep 12 ]
- Beard S, Freeman K, Velasco M, Boyd W, Chamberlain T, Latoni A, Lasko D, Lunn R, O'Fallon L, Packenham J, Smarr M, Arnette R, Cavalier-Keck C, Keck J, Muhammad N, Wilson O, Wilson B, Wilson A, Dixon D. Racism as a public health issue in environmental health disparities and environmental justice: working toward solutions. Environmental health : a global access science source. 2024 Jan 22;23(1):8. [ AbstractBeard S, Freeman K, Velasco M, Boyd W, Chamberlain T, Latoni A, Lasko D, Lunn R, O'Fallon L, Packenham J, Smarr M, Arnette R, Cavalier-Keck C, Keck J, Muhammad N, Wilson O, Wilson B, Wilson A, Dixon D. Racism as a public health issue in environmental health disparities and environmental justice: working toward solutions. Environmental health : a global access science source. 2024 Jan 22 ]
- Mehta S, Morin I, Osborn K, Lemeris C, Conti M, Lunn R. An Approach to Assessing the Influence of Environmental and Occupational Cancer Hazard Identification on Policy Decision-Making. Environmental health perspectives. 2023 Dec;131(12):125001. [ AbstractMehta S, Morin I, Osborn K, Lemeris C, Conti M, Lunn R. An Approach to Assessing the Influence of Environmental and Occupational Cancer Hazard Identification on Policy Decision-Making. Environmental health perspectives. 2023 Dec ]
- Mehta S, Elizabeth Hodgson M, Lunn R, Ashley C, Arroyave W, Sandler D, White A. Indoor wood-burning from stoves and fireplaces and incident lung cancer among Sister Study participants. Environment international. 2023 Aug;178:108128. [ AbstractMehta S, Elizabeth Hodgson M, Lunn R, Ashley C, Arroyave W, Sandler D, White A. Indoor wood-burning from stoves and fireplaces and incident lung cancer among Sister Study participants. Environment international. 2023 Aug ]
- Lunn R, Mehta S, Jahnke G, Wang A, Wolfe M, Berridge B. Cancer Hazard Evaluations for Contemporary Needs: Highlights From New National Toxicology Program Evaluations and Methodological Advancements. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2022 Nov 14;114(11):1441-1448. [ AbstractLunn R, Mehta S, Jahnke G, Wang A, Wolfe M, Berridge B. Cancer Hazard Evaluations for Contemporary Needs: Highlights From New National Toxicology Program Evaluations and Methodological Advancements. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 2022 Nov 14 ]