EPA rulemaking continues to ignore real world chemical risks

EPA recently issued Proposed Revisions to the Risk Evaluation Framework Rule, which was originally issued in 2017 and established guidelines to govern how EPA conducts risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The Proposed Revisions provide critical updates to the original framework rule, that we applaud, but the Revisions fall short in several … Continue reading EPA rulemaking continues to ignore real world chemical risks

PRHE’s systematic review method takes world stage at ISEE 2022

To improve how scientists evaluate chemical risks globally and strengthen evidence-based decision making, many members of PRHE’s team will present at the 34th annual conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, taking place September 18-21 in Athens, Greece (where both in-person and virtual attendance is possible). PRHE’s sessions include a training on best practices … Continue reading PRHE’s systematic review method takes world stage at ISEE 2022

EPA must improve its TSCA systematic review method, scientific review says again

Six years have passed since Congress updated the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), yet EPA still does not have an appropriate method for conducting systematic reviews of chemical risks - the method by which EPA evaluates potential health harms - which is critical to protecting the public’s health. This is the clear conclusion taken from … Continue reading EPA must improve its TSCA systematic review method, scientific review says again

EPA needs to fix its rules for identifying health effects under TSCA

EPA needs to fix its rules for identifying health effects under TSCA

When reviewing long, technical EPA science documents it helps to have an idea of what to look for. If you begin on page 1 and read everything in order, you may never get to some of the most critical content. The buried details can ultimately determine whether EPA’s actions will protect people’s health or leave … Continue reading EPA needs to fix its rules for identifying health effects under TSCA

“I swear I’ve changed” – US EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to use methods “consistent with the best available science" to evaluate scientific evidence on chemical health risks. These methods are critical because they shape EPA’s decision-making on chemicals evaluated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which has profound implications for public health.  In 2018, EPA released its … Continue reading “I swear I’ve changed” – US EPA

EPA uses systematic reviews to guide new PFAS drinking water standards

They may be called forever chemicals because they can stay in your body for years, but we don’t have forever to enact health protective decisions on PFAS (per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances). This is especially true given the large body of scientific evidence on prenatal exposures to PFAS and effects on fetal growth that the … Continue reading EPA uses systematic reviews to guide new PFAS drinking water standards

National Academies of Sciences: EPA should follow IRIS lead

Last week, the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) said EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) Assessments "can serve as a model for other EPA programs that are implementing systematic review methods.” We commend the IRIS program and urge EPA to use the IRIS method across every office that conducts chemical evaluations so that we can … Continue reading National Academies of Sciences: EPA should follow IRIS lead