Industry representatives, scientists and public-health advocates are split over whether the mortality risks associated with particulate matter (PM) are strong enough to support EPA staff's work-in-progress suggestion to Administrator Lisa Jackson to propose a tightening of the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS).1085 words

EPA research chief Paul Anastas has unveiled to staff some components of his plan transform the agency's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and make its work more "relevant" -- efforts that started in the spring -- though some agency sources indicate the message was "uplifting" but unclear on how the transformation will occur.898 words

Texas is critiquing EPA's draft risk assessment of the ubiquitous chemical formaldehyde, questioning the scientific basis of the agency's assessment and arguing it could lead to risk-based standards that exceed naturally-produced amounts of formaldehyde -- arguments similar to those made by industry.1040 words

Environmentalists say EPA's new proposal for industry to report more data on the volumes and uses of chemicals in commerce is a "litmus test" for industry's commitment to reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).1033 words

WHITEFIELD, NH -- State environment officials have approved a resolution calling on Congress to pass legislation reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a move that could put increased pressure on lawmakers to pass reform bills introduced in the House and Senate.377 words

A series of companies, trade associations and states have petitioned the U.S Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to review EPA's recently revised national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS), strengthening requirements for sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions.628 words

A coalition of environmental and labor groups is proposing potential criteria that EPA should use for implementing its new policy on reviewing confidential business information (CBI) claims for chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), suggesting the agency strengthen the policy with a tracking system and other measures.949 words

North Carolina science advisers have delayed recommending a groundwater cleanup standard for the persistent contaminant perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) to Tar Heel State regulators, tabling the issue until late fall when more studies -- including EPA research showing significant risks -- may be available.455 words

California recently proposed loosening its drinking water standard for the suspected carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), though the Golden State's new draft standard -- based on newer toxicological studies than EPA's 1994 assessment of the chemical -- remains nearly 30 times tighter than EPA's own drinking water standard for the ubiquitous chemical, a standard that has not been updated in 18 years.787 words

EPA has rejected environmentalists' petition to ban the use of lead ammunition, citing a section of U.S. chemical management law that restricts the agency from regulating ammunition, but the agency is continuing to consider activists' recent request for a ban on the use of lead fishing tackle, such as sinkers.580 words

A federal health researcher will soon present a panel of EPA science advisers with new study results indicating that lab rats exposed to the widely used herbicide atrazine show increased incidence of developmental harm -- data that could bolster efforts by environmentalists who are urging EPA to take the rare step of restricting the ubiquitous drinking water contaminant midway through its registration period.766 words

A recent court settlement requiring federal agencies to review Oregon's water quality standards for toxics to address impacts on endangered species could lead to increased reviews of endangered species issues nationally as well as more stringent water quality standards, according to an environmentalist following the issue.738 words

A new EPA report says that water utilities can begin to reduce their vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change even without sophisticated modeling that can provide better information on potential impacts.608 words

EPA is considering new methods to ensure its pesticide assessments account for the chronic exposure risks posed by newer and more widely used class of "systemic" pesticides, which some fear may be contributing to the collapse of bee colonies, alarming an agriculture industry that relies on them to pollinate crops.1149 words