What makes us different? Read our Declaration of Journalistic Independence Home | About Natural News | Contact Us | Write for Natural News
Search our 25,000 free articles and special reports
EPA

What Is the Chemical Industry's Influence at the EPA?

Monday, May 12, 2008 by: Jo Hartley (see all articles by this author)
| Key concepts: EPA, the EPA and chemical compounds

Want stories like this e-mailed to you? Click here for free email alerts
Email this article to a friend Printable Version
(NaturalNews) Americans depend upon sound science to ensure that consumer products are safe. If there is undue influence over this science, then the public's health may be compromised.

Are there inappropriate ties between the chemical industry and expert review panels hired by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? The EPA is charged with the responsibility of determining safe levels for a variety of chemical compounds. A congressional committee is currently investigating.

Documents have been requested from the EPA and the American Chemistry Council to investigate the roles of nine scientists who are serving on EPA panels or have served in the past. Investigations of this type are unusual. In fact, this investigation is being called a landmark investigation and far reaching effects on ethics of the entire industry are possible depending on the outcome.

The chemistry council is supportive of independent scientific research and has pledged to cooperate with the congressional request.

The lawmakers want to know why the EPA allowed certain scientists to remain on expert panels but removed a public health scientist (Deborah C. Rice) from a panel at the chemistry council's request.
Rice chaired an EPA panel last year that reviewed safe levels for deca-BDE. This is a chemical used as a fire retardant in television casings and other electronics. It has been found to cause cancer in mice and is also a suspected human carcinogen.

Rice testified before the Maine legislature about the health risks associated with deca-BDE. Maine and several other states have since banned the chemical.

After Rice's panel completed its work, there was a complaint about Rice’s participation on the panel. After receiving this complaint, the agency informed Rice that it was removing her from the panel. It also expunged her comments from the official record. They even went so far as to remove them from the EPA Web site.

The Chemistry Council seems to have conflicting standards with regard to chemicals and health effects because the EPA has allowed at least nine scientists who have received funding from chemical makers or expressed similar opinions about specific chemical compounds to remain on review panels.

Scientists invited to participate in review panels are routinely asked to disclose any conflicts or even perceived conflicts. EPA guidelines state that conflicts do not automatically disqualify an expert but that the agency needs to ensure that the panel contains balanced viewpoints.

An EPA spokesman said privacy issues prevented the agency from commenting on Rice or other scientists being investigated.

Rice has also declined to comment on this investigation. She has become a hero among Bush administration critics, however. They say her case is a symbol of the undue industry influence in public health regulation that has been occurring during President Bush’s administration.

About the author

Jo Hartley
Wife, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 2
Jo is a 40 year old home educator who has always gravitated toward a natural approach to life. She enjoys learning as much as possible about just about anything!
http://www.loftymatters.com




###

Related Articles

• EPA, American Chemistry Council Conspire to Remove Toxicologist Deborah Rice from Panel on Flame Retardant Safety

• EPA may approve neurotoxic pesticide that harms children

• Vaccines and Medical Experiments on Children, Minorities, Woman and Inmates (1845 - 2007)

• EPA uses nanotech regulation ploy to target colloidal silver while ignoring all other nanotech particles

• Human medical experimentation in the United States: The shocking true history of modern medicine and psychiatry (1965-2005)

Additional Resources:

EPA
the EPA
chemical compounds

Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com

Email this article to a friend

Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us

Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/023221.html

Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link.

Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE

Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber!
  • Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more.
  • Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.
Your Email Address:
Free Subscription Code:
Enter the numbers you see:
100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime.
Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.

Recommended Special Report:

Seven Words that can Change the World
by Joseph R. Simonetta

Read this special report now...

"Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com

More on NaturalNews.com:

• Streaming Health Ranger Videos
• CounterThink Cartoons
• FREE Special Reports
• Podcasts

Also Posted Today

• The Politics of National Health Care Reform: Why no Popular Presidential Candidate can Solve Our Health Care Crisis (transcript)

• Big Pharma "Doomed" if it Doesn't Change, Says Eli Lilly Chairman

• The Poisoning of America's Water Supplies

• Rickets on the Rise as Vitamin D Deficiency Surges Among Expectant Mothers

• The Many Benefits of Coconut Oil and Coconut Butter

Beat Disease With Juice Feasting!

NEW 6-CD audio set reveals amazing new protocol for reversing cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and more. Click to learn more.

Own Health Ranger Report Podcasts on Audio CD

Own the first 8 Health Ranger Report audio programs on 6 CDs. Covers weight loss, ADHD, vaccinations, processed meats, bone health and more. Click to learn more.

Featured Videos

Short clip on Aspartame
A short clip on aspartame from the documentary All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive video on Aspartame
The dangers of aspartame! Exclusive interview footage from Cori Brackett of Sweet Remedy.
Click here to view now...

Exclusive Footage from All Jacked Up!
See interview footage featuring the Health Ranger in the upcoming junk food film, All Jacked Up.
Click here to view now...

Drug Ad Parody
See the Health Ranger's satire parody of Merck's cholesterol drug ad.
Click here to view now...

Free Health Reports!

• Amazon Herb Company review
• The pH Nutrition Guide to Acid / Alkaline Balance
• Pet Food Ingredients Revealed! (shocking)
• Medicine From Fish
• The Water Cure
• The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Featured CounterThink Cartoons

Eco-Friendly Products


Pharmaceutical Terrorism


The Newborn Baby Fish


Health Product Companies We Recommend

Read recommendations on supplement companies, health food manufacturers and personal care product makers that you can trust. Our 100% independent review list tells you who to trust and who to avoid in the natural health industry. Click to read.
This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2008 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. Truth Publishing sells no health or nutritional products and earns no money from health product manufacturers or promoters. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.