NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday 30 July 2001
CONTACT:
Jeanne Stuart McVey, Communications Liaison
tel: 202-686-2210, ext. 316; 415-509-1833 (cellular); jeannem@pcrm.org
New Report Shows EPA Program as Dangerously Flawed
Health Nonprofit Issues Scientific Analysis Calling for End to Massive Chemical Testing Program
Washington, D.C.—In a new report to be submitted to the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 1 August 2001, the Physicians Committee for
Responsible Medicine (PCRM) calls for an end to the High Production Volume (HPV) chemical
testing program. A thorough analysis conducted by PCRM staff scientist Nicole Cardello,
M.H.S., has pin-pointed major flaws in both individual chemical test plans and in the HPV
program as a whole.
"In order to protect human health, the EPA should halt the HPV testing
program and instead focus on containment and regulation of toxic substances. Crude,
duplicative animal tests, such as the ones called for in many of the test plans I have
reviewed, will do nothing to protect the public or the environment," states Ms.
Cardello. "Human exposure data, which are currently ignored by the program, should be
assessed so that workers and the public can be protected from suspected carcinogens and
other hazardous substances."
One of the most significant findings of PCRM’s new report is that out of the 24
chemical test plans that have undergone public review, 18 contain violations of animal
welfare guidelines issued by the EPA.
At a cost of $16 million each year for the EPA to administer, the High Production
Volume program encourages manufacturers to conduct screening-level toxicity tests on 2,800
chemicals produced in or imported to the United States in amounts exceeding 1 million
pounds per year. Yet many of the chemicals slated for tests using rats, mice, and fish are
already suspected human carcinogens or known toxins subject to regulatory controls.
"Clearly, the HPV chemical testing program is a waste of taxpayer money and serves
only to delay meaningful regulatory action," concludes Ms. Cardello.
Founded in 1985, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is a nonprofit
organization that promotes preventive medicine and higher standards in research. PCRM is
comprised of 5,000 physicians and more than 100,000 supporting members.
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