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News & Analysis | REG•WATCH Blog | Press Room
Friday, April 13, 2007
EPA Punts on Perchlorate...Again
EPA has once again delayed developing a standard for perchlorate in drinking water. Perchlorate, an ingredient in rocket fuel, can detrimentally effect the human hormonal system even in low doses.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, whose support for perchlorate regulation is unimpeachable, is perturbed with EPA's decision, or lack thereof. In a statement, Boxer said, "I am outraged that EPA has yet again refused to do its duty to protect the health of our families and communities from perchlorate pollution." For more info on the EPA decision, read NRDC's press release.
OMB Watch often criticizes the regulatory process for being too slow in responding to the public's needs. The process is muddied and subject to political interference. Perchlorate testing is a prime example of what we mean.
- 1998: EPA assesses perchlorate. Verdict: perchlorate bad.
- 1999 — 2002 : EPA assessment is peer reviewed. Verdict: perchlorate bad.
- 1999: EPA issues toothless interim guidance on perchlorate exposure.
- 2002: EPA's peer-reviewed assessment is reviewed by the Pentagon and EPA, allowing the agency to reach new heights in redundancy.
- 2003: EPA issues interim guidance about the 1999 interim guidance. (Again with the redundancy.)
- 2004: White House and Pentagon spend their time interfering in an upcoming NAS study on perchlorate.
- 2005: NAS releases study on perchlorate. Verdict: perchlorate bad.
- Yesterday: EPA decides not to regulate perchlorate citing the need for "additional investigation."
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