Toxic chemicals : EPA's new assessment process will increase challenges EPA faces in evaluating and regulating chemicals : testimony before the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate /
The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mission includes evaluating and regulating toxic chemicals. EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program is a chemical evaluation program that is a critical component of EPA's capacity to support scientifically sound environmental...
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| Corporate Authors: | , |
| Format: | Government Document eBook |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Washington, D.C.] :
U.S. Govt. Accountability Office,
[2008]
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| Series: | Testimony ;
GAO-08-743 T. |
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| Online Access: | Abstract: https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS94882 |
| Summary: | The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) mission includes evaluating and regulating toxic chemicals. EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program is a chemical evaluation program that is a critical component of EPA's capacity to support scientifically sound environmental regulations and policies. The IRIS database contains EPA's scientific position on the potential human health effects of exposure to more than 540 chemicals. This testimony highlights GAO's work on toxic substances, focusing on (1) its March 2008 report, Chemical Assessments: Low Productivity and New Interagency Review Process Limit the Usefulness and Credibility of EPA's Integrated Risk Information System and (2) key changes to the IRIS assessment process EPA included in its revised IRIS assessment process released on April 10, 2008. It also highlights the findings of two GAO reports on EPA's regulation of toxic chemicals. For the IRIS report, GAO analyzed EPA data and interviewed officials at relevant agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). For this testimony, GAO supplemented the IRIS report with a review of EPA's revised IRIS assessment process announced earlier this month. Given the importance of the IRIS program to EPA's ability to protect public health and the environment, Congress should consider requiring EPA to suspend its new process and develop one that is responsive to GAO's recommendations..... |
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| Item Description: | Title from title page (viewed on Apr. 30, 2008). "For release on delivery ... April 29, 2008." Paper version available from: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, 441 G St., NW, Rm. LM, Washington, D.C. 20548. Electronic resource. |
| Physical Description: | 27 pages : digital, PDF file. |
| Format: | Mode of access: Internet from GAO web site. Address as of 4/30/08: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d08743t.pdf ; current access available via PURL. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |