page updated 11/01/05
Agencies
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- USDA/HHS Challenge on WHO Report - The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness (CRE) filed a request for correction Sept. 8 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Report 916, Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases.
Forest Service
- Weed Control Challenge - A Montana organization filed a petition challenging Environmental Impact Statements which provide information on the chronic health impacts of herbicides used for weed control.
- Resource Management Planning Challenge- A request filed recently to the U.S. Department of Agriculture challenges the data quality of information supporting a Forest Service Federal Register Notice for the National Forest System Land and Resource Management Planning proposed rulemaking.
- Livestock Exclusion from Willow Flycatcher Habitat- An Arizona ranch owner submitted a petition March 21 requesting correction of guidance criteria that calculate the effects grazing has on threatened and endangered species, particularly the southwestern willow flycatcher.
- Small Timber Categorical Exclusions Challenge- Several groups filed a request seeking a correction of information related to a January 8, 2003 Federal Register Notice for the "National Environmental Policy Act Documentation Needed for Limited Timber Harvest."
- 5 Goshawk Petitions- A series of industry sponsored data quality petitions challenged documents restricting logging and forest use in order to protect the Northern Goshawk, a hawk listed in several regions as a "sensitive species."
Click to view the Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service's online docket of data quality requests.
Department of Commerce
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Challenge- The USPTO received a data quality request requesting correction of information associated with a specific patent, asserting that during processing, the wrong set of claims where identified and disseminated with the patent on the USPTO website.
- Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers Challenge- the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness filed a petition challenging dollar amounts on ICANN's financial statements.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- Groundfish Challenge - Trawlers Survival Fund and Associated Fisheries of Maine submitted a petition challenging a published list of reference points for New England groundfish, which serve as goals for federal conservation and management.
- Salmon Farming Data Quality Challenge - the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a challenge and a precedent-setting counter-challenge questioning information supporting limitations imposed on salmon farmers.
- Multi-Agency Data Quality Challenge on Global Warming - Petitions seek withdrawal of the inter-agency technical document that underlies most of the federal Government's recent statements about global climate change.
Click to view the Department of Commerce's online docket of data quality requests.
Department of Defense (DoD)
Army Corp of Engineers
- Upper Mississippi River Challenge - The Missouri Coalition for the Environment Foundation submitted a petition challenging the results of a study on flow rates of the Mississippi River.
- Everglades Challenge - A private citizen filed a petition challenging an environmental impact statement on modified water deliveries to the Everglades National Park.
- Day Creek Challenge - A request formally submitted Feb. 23 challenges the 100-year flow computation for Day Creek in San Bernardino County, California.
- PEER Challenge- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) filed a data quality petition with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alleging a monthly status report does not meet OMB or the Department of Defense's data quality guidelines.
Click to view the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers online docket of data quality requests.
Department of Education
- Title IX Challenge- The Department of Education received its first data quality petition February 26, 2003 challenging dissemination of a report examining sport opportunities for women and men under Title IX.
Click to view the Department of Education's online docket of data quality requests.
Department of Energy (DOE)
- Picture Caption Challenge - A request was submitted to change the caption of a nuclear facility to the correct name.
Click to view the Department of Energy's online docket of data quality requests.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Abstinence Challenge - Advocates for Youth and the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States submitted a petition challenging the quality of information contained in abstinence curricula.
- Healthfinder Challenge - a citizen submitted a petition challenging web links from the agency's healthfinder.gov website.
- USDA/HHS Challenge on WHO Report - The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness (CRE) filed a request for correction Sept. 8 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) challenging the World Health Organization (WHO) Technical Report 916, Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases.
Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ASTDR)
- Challenge of Draft Atrazine Profile - The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness, Kansas Corn Growers Association and Triazine Network challenge a draft profile of Atrazine.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Illinois Beach Park Challenge - A private citizen is seeking the correction of a press release that discusses health risks from asbestos at a public beach.
- CDC Weblink Challenge - A contractor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) submitted a data quality petition to the CDC Jan. 8 challenging a web link CDC provides on its website.
- Antibiotics for Poultry Challenge - A data quality petition filed December 6, 2002 by the Animal Health Institute challenged information the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disseminates regarding fluoroquinolones.
- Water Fluoridation Challenge - CDC received a request from a private citizen November 19, 2002 challenging a published statement that indicates fluoridation of public water supplies is safe.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- SafeBlood Challenge - SafeBlood technologies challenged Medicare information on a Blue Cross and Blue Shield website.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Medical Marijuana Challenge - Americans for Safe Access, the national medical-marijuana advocacy group, submitted a petition challenging HHS statements on the marijuana's medical usefulness.
- Pain Products Challenge - and industry marketing group submitted a petition challenging information disseminated as part of FDA's consumer campaign on over the counter pain medications.
- Environmental Working Group Challenge on Mercury - The Environmental Working Group submitted a on December 22, 2003, one of the few challenges submitted by a nonprofit. The request challenges the 2003 FDA Consumption Advisory for mercury.
- Second Antibiotics Challenge - The Animal Health Institute filed a data quality petition Jan. 22 to the Food and Drug Administration challenging a risk assessment of the human health impacts from fluoroquinolone resistant bacteria (Camplylobacter).
- Hair Test Challenge - Omega Laboratories submitted a letter to FDA asking it to remove a letter on its website asserting that the Omega Laboratories sells hair sample tests to detect drug use that are not approved by the FDA.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Second Anthraquinone Challenge - a commercial user of anthraquinone filed a petition challenging a study that labels the biopesticide as a mutagen and carcinogen.
- NIH Atrazine Challenge - several industry groups submitted a challenge concerning the listing of atrazine as a carcinogen in the 12th Report on Carcinogens.
- Vinyl Chloride Challenge - the American Chemistry Council's request for correction challenges information on vinyl chloride disseminated in the 11th and 12th Report on Carcinogens.
- Report on Carcinogens Challenge - the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness and several others submitted a petition challenging information disseminated in a Federal Register notice, which states that two different, conflicting review procedures are simultaneously being used in the 12th Report on Carcinogens.
- Naphthalene Challenge - the American Chemistry Council submitted a challenge on naphthalene information disseminated while developing the 11th Report on Carcinogens.
- Smokeless Tobacco Challenge - the National Legal and Policy Center is challenging information in a publication that discusses the relative risks of smokeless tobacco as compared to cigarettes.
- Anthraquinone Report Challenge - the Chemical Products Corporation submitted a petition challenging a revised draft technical report on the toxicology and carcinogenesis of anthraquinone.
- Styrene Challenge - the Styrene Information and Research Center filed a petition challenging a press release and fact sheet that contains information about styrene use in plastics.
- Salt Challenge- the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (USCC) and the Salt Institute filed a data quality petition challenging National Institutes of Health information that claims or suggests that reduced sodium consumption will result in lower blood pressure in all individuals.
- Nickel Challenge - Several nickel producers challenged National Toxicology Program statements on nickel as a carcinogen.
- Anthraquinone Abstract Challenge -The Chemical Products Corporation (CPC) submitted a data quality petition to the National Institutes of Health challenging the abstract of a draft technical report on the toxicology and carcinogenesis of Anthraquinone.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA)
- Smokeless Tobacco Challenge - The National Legal and Policy Center submitted a challenge of SAMHSA's dissemination of information on smokeless tobacco.
Click to view the Department of Health and Human Services' online docket for challenges.
Department of Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
- Second Sage Grouse Challenge - The Partnership for the West submitted a petition challenging the 90-day Finding for Petitions to List the
Greater Sage-grouse as Threatened or Endangered, as well as a conservation assessment.
- Osage Hydroelectric Challenge - The Osage Hydroelectric Company is challenging FWS statements about paddlefish survival in the Osage Project Waterways.
- First Sage Grouse Challenge - The Owyhee County Board of Commissioners submitted a petition challenging information included in a 90-day finding to list the sage grouse as endangered.
- Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly Challenge - A request for correction challenges the quality of a petition to list the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly as a threatened or endangered species.
- Florida Panther Challenge - Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility is challenging the agency's definition of panther habitat characteristics.
- Second Pygmy-owl Challenge - National Association of Home Builders submitted a petition challenging information on the critical habitat of the Pygmy-owl.
- First Pygmy-owl Challenge - An Arizona ranch and cattle company owner submitted a petition arguing that a draft recovery plan and proposed rule designating critical habitat for the pygmy-owl violate the Data Quality Act.
- Manatee Challenge - Florida Marine Contractors Association challenged a federal rulemaking on manatee protection plans for five counties in Florida.
- Trumpeter Swans Challenge- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) filed a petition challenging an internal report used to support the agency's finding that trumpeter swans do not constitute a Distinct Population Segment (DPS), therefore not qualifying for protection under the Endangered Species Act.
- Slickspot Peppergrass Challenge - Terry Bashore of the U.S. Air Force submitted a petition challenging information concerning a proposed rule to list slickspot peppergrass as an endangered species.
- Salmon Farming Data Quality Challenge - the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service received a challenge and a precedent-setting counter-challenge questioning information supporting limitations imposed on salmon farmers.
Click to view the Fish & Wildlife Service's online docket of data quality requests.
Department of Labor (DOL)
- Diesel Exhaust Rule- The Marg Diesel Coalition requests that the Mining challenge a Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) rule that would protect miners from harmful particulate matter in diesel exhaust.
- Ergonomics Guidelines- The National Coalition of Ergonomics challenges three Occupational Safety and Health Administration publications regarding Ergonomics Guidelines for poultry processing, retail grocery stores, and nursing homes.
The Department of Labor provides summaries of other data quality requests but does not provide access to the requests or agency responses.
Click to view the Department of Labor's online summaries of data quality requests.
Department of State
The Department of State provides a webpage that lists the text of its requests under the DQA. It does not have separate pages for individuals requests.
Click to view the Department of State's online data quality page.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
- FMCSA Accident Challenges- The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has received 80 data quality challenges from various motor carriers, most of which challenge accident reports.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Age 60 Rule Challenge- The Federal Aviation Administration received a request challenging the agency's age 60 rule for pilots.
Click to view the Department of Transportation's online docket of data quality requests.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- EPA Storm Water Enforcement Presentation Challenge - The National Association of Home Builders challenges "Storm Water Enforcement and Compliance: Construction" presentation available on the EPA website.
- Enforcement and Compliance History Online Database Challenge - Sterling Chemicals, Inc. challenges information in the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database.
- Biological and Water Quality Study Challenge - The Jefferson County Commission challenges a 2002 EPA report on biological and water quality studies of the Cahaba River.
- Second Wood Preservative Council Challenge - the Wood Preservative Council submitted a petition challenging agency information on chromated copper arsenate treated wood.
- First Wood Preservative Council Challenge - the Wood Preservative Council submitted a petition challenging two documents focused on the cancer risks of arsenic.
- Carcinogen Risk Assessment Challenge - the Washington Legal Foundation and the American Council on Science and Health submitted a petition challenging EPA's Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment.
- Cement Kiln Challenge - the Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition requested the correction of the "Inventory of Sources and Environmental Releases
of Dioxin-Like Compounds," asserting that is overestimates the releases of dioxin and furan from hazardous waste burning cement kilns.
- Metam Sodium Alliance Challenge - the Metam Sodium Alliance submitted a petition challenging a human health risk assessment on metam sodium.
- Cacodylic Acid Challenge - the MAA Research Task Force is challenging an agency document which contains calculations used in determining a provisional oral chronic reference dose for cacodylic acid.
- Isopropyl Alcohol TRI Challenge - The American Chemistry Council is requesting that the reporting requirement for Isopropyl Alcohol under the Toxic Release Inventory be removed, due to erroneous information and an erroneous listing.
- Atrazine Re-registration Challenge - a private citizen is challenging the objectivity of information used during the re-registration process for atrazine.
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Diisocyanates Challenge - The American Chemistry Council Diisocyanates Panel is challenging information on EPA's Design for the Environment website that discuss the toxicology of diisocyanates.
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Fourth Geronimo Creek Challenge - The petitioner is challenging EPA statements on two agency websites concerning ozone and nitrogen oxides.
- National Priorities Listing Challenge - A remediation corporation is challenging the data EPA used as a basis for listing Devil's Swamp Lake in Louisiana on the National Priorities List.
- Wal-Mart Fact Sheet Challenge - The National Association of Homebuilders is challenging a fact sheet on a lawsuit settlement between the U.S. and Wal-Mart.
- Dow Chemical Challenge - Dow Chemical Company is challenging a quality assurance and work plan document on the groundwater flowing into the Plaquemine Aquifer in Louisiana.
- Paint Industry Challenge - the National Paint and Coatings Association and Sherwin-Williams Company submitted a petition challenging planned regulations that would limit volatile organic compounds in paints, stains and varnishes.
- Chamber of Commerce Chemical Property Challenge - The Chamber of Commerce submitted a data quality challenge to EPA May 26, 2004, seeking the correction of chemical property information published in several public EPA databases.
- Third Geronimo Creek Observatory Challenge - An individual from the Geronimo Creek Observatory in Texas submitted a third data quality challenge to EPA on May 24, 2004, challenging several statement contained in EPA's response to comments on the "Designation and Classification of Areas for the 8-Hour Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard."
- National Multi Council Housing Challenge - Ten organizations submitted a request for reconsideration March 10. The petition challenges a statement contained in a Federal Register notice on ratio utility billing systems (RUBS) and other allocation billing systems for water use.
- Perchlorate Study Group Challenge - The Perchlorate Study Group (PSG) submitted a data quality request for correction December 3, 2003, challenging a number of documents used to assess implications of perchlorate ingestion.
- Diisononyl Phthalate Challenge - The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness (CRE) submitted a request for correction along with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) challenging the objectivity and utility of the "Technical Review of Diisononyl Phthalate" and a rulemaking proposal that relies on the review.
- Air Quality Challenges - An individual affiliated with the Texas Academy of Science recently submitted two data quality petitions challenging information regarding air quality.
- Gold Book Challenge - The law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius submitted a data quality petition challenging a 1986 publication that provides guidance to mechanics on the hazards of asbestos exposure.
- Bromate Challenge - The EPA recently received two data quality petitions that challenge references to bromate as a carcinogen.
- Perchlorate Challenges - A Massachusetts citizen submitted two challenges questioning EPA decisions and statements on perchlorate.
- Senators' Challenge - Several Senators submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a request for correction of information- the first data quality challenge submitted by Members of Congress.
- Multi-Agency Data Quality Challenge on Global Warming -Petitions seek withdrawal of the inter-agency technical document that underlies most of the federal Government's recent statements about global climate change
- BMW Challenge - The BMW Manufacturing Corporation has submitted a petition to challenge EPA listing of a BMW facility as being in Significant Non-Compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
- EPA Science Advisory Board Minutes Challenge- U.S. Chamber of Commerce requested that EPA "correct" the minutes from the October 1, 2002 meeting of the EPA Science Advisory Board.
- Atrazine Challenge- Multiple groups challenged an Environmental Risk Assessment focusing on endocrine effects from the herbicide atrazine.
- Barium Challenge- Barium production corporation requests corrections on information about barium in EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
- Ohio EPA Challenges- An individual with the Ohio EPA submitted two requests for correction of information.
Click to view EPA's online docket of data quality requests.
Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
- Multi-Agency Data Quality Challenge on Global Warming- Petitions seek withdrawal of the inter-agency technical document that underlies most of the federal Government's recent statements about global climate change.
National Archives & Records Administration (NARA)
OMB Watch does not have access to the full text of data quality challenges received by NARA, but the agency's website provides summaries of all requests.
United States Access Board
- Pool and Spa Products Challenge - a pool and spa manufacturer challenged information located on the Access Board website about pool and spa products.
Click to view the Access Board's docket of data quality requests.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
- Options & Futures Historical Data Challenge
Click to view CFTC's online docket of data quality requests.
Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Third Playground Equipment Challenge - the Competitive Enterprise Institute challenged an agency petition to ban the use of chromated copper arsenate treated wood in playground equipment.
- Second Clothes Dryer Challenge - the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers filed a challenge asking the commission to remove in its entirety a report on electric clothes dryers and lint ignition characteristics.
- Clothes Dryer Challenge - an engineering firm submitted a petition challenged information contained in a report on electric clothes dryers and lint ignition characteristics.
- Second Playground Equipment Challenge - the Competitive Enterprise Institute submitted a petition challenging agency information on chromated copper arsenate and it use on playground equipment.
- Playground Equipment Challenge - the American Chemistry Council submitted a petition challenging a study on chromated copper arsenate treated wood.
Click to view Consumer Product Safety Commission's online docket of data quality requests.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- Line Charge Challenge - TeleTruth submitted a complaint requesting that the FCC redo the entire data collection and analysis for the creation and implementation of the FCC Line Charge ceiling.
Click to view FCC's online docket of data quality requests.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- Virginia Power Challenge - FERC received a petition seeking correction of the status of Virginia Power on the agency website.
- Website License Challenge - a law firm submitted a petition seeking correction of license information on the agency's website.
Click to view FERC's online docket of data quality requests.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- Credit Card Challenge - The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness submitted a petition challenging information published in a Federal Register notice regarding credit card offers.
Click to view FTC's online docket of data quality requests.
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