Ensuring Sound Science

• In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the perceived politicization of science in agency decisions.
• The usefulness and credibility of EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database — which contains the agency's scientific position on the potential human health effects of more than 540 chemicals — are being limited, in part, by the way the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)/interagency reviews of EPA's chemical assessments are being conducted.
• OMB's and other agencies' input into EPA's chemical risk assessments is expressly defined as deliberative and therefore not subject to public disclosure. The OMB/interagency reviews occur in what amounts to a black box.
• EPA's draft chemical risk assessments — those provided to independent peer review committees — incorporate undisclosed changes from federal agencies, such as the Departments of Defense and Energy, that may be affected by assessments that lead to regulatory actions.
• In 2008 EPA adopted a revised IRIS assessment process that did not incorporate GAO recommendations to make the process more streamlined and transparent. In fact, the new process exacerbates the productivity and credibility concerns GAO identified. EPA's lack of responsiveness to our recommendations is a key reason GAO added transforming EPA's processes for assessing and controlling toxic chemicals to our list of high-risk areas warranting added attention

  Highlights of GAO-09-271 (PDF)

• EPA and other agencies rely on advice from federal advisory committees on scientific and technical issues. In 2008, GAO testified about continuing problems with the independence of advisory committee members — that is, their freedom from conflicts of interest — and the balance of the committees overall in terms of points of view and functions to be performed.
• Many advisory committee members are not appropriately screened for potential conflicts of interest or points of view.
• GAO's work on the Children's Health Protection Advisory Committee suggests that EPA has not proactively used the committee to ensure that the agency's regulations, guidance, and policies address the disproportionate risks to children that result from environmental contamination.
• EPA has often disregarded key recommendations from its advisory committee on proposed revisions to important environmental issues, such as the national air quality standards.

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

• EPA should streamline its lengthy scientific assessment process for toxic chemicals and adopt transparent practices providing assurance that these assessments are appropriately based on the best available science and are not inappropriately biased by policy considerations of OMB or other federal agencies that have a vested interest in the results of EPA scientific assessments.

  Highlights of GAO-08-810T (PDF)

• Congress may want to consider amendments to the Federal Advisory Committee Act to provide greater assurance that committees are, and are perceived as being, independent and balanced.

  Highlights of GAO-08-611T (PDF), Highlights of GAO-04-328 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Federal Advisory Committees

Federal Advisory Committee Act

Environmental Health

Chemical Assessments

Chemical Assessments

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