NGO criticises "slow pace" of US EPA assessments

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must speed up its programme of chemical health assessments and improvements to its integrated risk information system (IRIS) database, says a report by US environmental NGO the Center for Progressive Reform (CPR).

The centre says that "due to procedural changes and attacks from regulated industry and other federal agencies, the information in IRIS hasn’t kept pace with the needs of EPA’s programme offices that regulate toxic substances," and that there are "255 chemicals that Congress or EPA have listed as regulatory targets that are waiting for IRIS profiles."

EPA completed nine IRIS assessments in 2009 and is on track to complete nine in 2010, says the centre. This, it says, is "an improvement from the two-per-year pace during the Bush Administration. But at the new rate, it would still take approximately 55 years to complete all of the assessments that EPA programme offices need to complete statutory responsibilities."

Last year EPA announced plans to ensure that future assessments would be posted on IRIS within two years of the start date (CW 22 May 2009).

• CPR statement
• Report

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