"Is the EPA Stifling Science on Chemical Toxicity Reports?"

"Critics say changes to the agency’s review process will harm public health"

"The Environmental Protection Agency is changing its approach to chemical toxicity oversight, according to a report issued recently by the Government Accountability Office. In the overhaul, the EPA reassigned staff from its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)—a program that conducts comprehensive scientific reviews—to duties related to the Toxic Substances Control Act, which has a narrower mandate. The agency has also reduced the number of its ongoing chemical toxcity assessments from 20 to three. Former EPA officials contend the shake-up takes chemical assessments out of the hands of career scientists, potentially to the detriment of public health.

The EPA also recently halted release of a long-awaited formaldehyde toxicity assessment. In testimony before a congressional oversight committee on April 9, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the study, which had already been completed by IRIS, will instead be reconducted under the TSCA program. Formaldehyde, which is used in manufacturing pressed wood, adhesives and insulation, has been linked to leukemia.

IRIS was created in 1985 to study chemicals’ toxicity to humans. The program’s assessments “are the preferred source of toxicity information used by the EPA,” according to the agency’s website, which says EPA program offices (units responsible for specific areas such as air pollution or water quality) use IRIS toxicity values to determine public health risks posed by chemicals. The TSCA, passed in 1976, more narrowly authorizes the EPA to review and regulate chemicals determined to pose an “unreasonable risk” to human health and the environment."

Jim Daley reports for Scientific American April 26, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"Status of EPA's Efforts to Produce Assessments and Implement the Toxic Substances Control Act" (GAO)

Source: Scientific American, 04/26/2019