An EPA official says she was “completely confused” by press accounts that her office was easing rules on asbestos. She shouldn’t be. The proposal is called “significant new uses for asbestos.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals orders EPA to ban the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos because the evidence shows that it’s harmful.
Last week, EPA held a hearing about its proposed rule to restrict the research it can use in regulating, and scores of public health advocates attended to speak out against it.
A proposed EPA rule that would sharply restrict the studies the agency can use when regulating faces pushback from the agency’s Science Advisory Board and a bipartisan group of more than 100 Congress members. The agency has extended the comment period and scheduled a hearing, but still seems determined to move ahead with a deeply flawed rule.
Toxic Substances
$88 million in regulatory savings?? EPA jiggers data to inflate economic benefit of revoking chemical plant safety rule
Scott Pruitt says his plan to revoke chemical plant safety rules will save business $88 million dollars. The trouble is, the rule’s estimated costs were never that high.
Recent pieces address how a pharmaceutical company pushed risky pain drugs, FEMA’s failures in Puerto Rico, what cuts to food stamps mean for rural communities, and more.
Last week, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt announced a proposed rule that would dramatically shrink the pool of high-quality evidence EPA can use in regulations. Pruitt claims the rule will advance transparency, but it will really just make it harder to protect public health.
Regulation
Healthcare providers and info on toxic chemicals: Is EPA wiggling away from transparency mandate?
Congress directed EPA to disclose confidential business information to health professionals in certain critical situations involving toxic chemicals. Kudos to the American Public Health Assoc., American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of OB/GYN, and the Environmental Defense Fund for not allowing EPA to wiggle away from Congress’ intent.
A new analysis from the Union of Concerned Scientists examines the functions of federal science advisory committees over the past year and reports “an unprecedented level of stalled and disbanded scientific advisory committees, cancelled meetings, and dismissed experts” – with profound consequences for our safety and health.
A historical look at the ‘radium girls’ and their legacy of worker justice; OSHA’s website for receiving injury and illness logs not accepting submissions; California farmworkers sickened by pesticide after Trump’s EPA reverses course on a probable ban; and former Walmart employees file class-action lawsuit for pregnancy discrimination.