EPA, NAS NEAR DEAL ON REVIEW PANEL FOR AGENCY'S CHEMICAL RISK STUDIES

EPA and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) are close to finalizing a deal creating a new NAS standing committee to evaluate agency risk standards for toxics before EPA officials finalize their conclusions and submit them for interagency and White House review. Agency officials have said they hope the early input from NAS will temper concerns from industry officials and federal agencies, including the departments of Defense (DOD) and Energy (DOE), over risk assessments they fear could prompt stricter air...