Blog: The Fine Print / Citizen Health & Safety

Victims of High Dioxin Exposure Levels Left Behind

Jul 25, 2007 by Rick Melberth*

Residents of Mossville, LA, have three times the level of dioxin in their blood as the national average, and 90 percent of the residents have illnesses that are linked to dioxin exposure. These are conclusions drawn from government data, so the humane, responsible thing for government agencies to do is — nothing.

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Fish and Wildlife Reviewing MacDonald's Interference

Jul 24, 2007 by Rick Melberth*

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced recently that it planned to review eight Endangered Species Act (ESA) decisions ex-deputy assistant secretary Julie MacDonald influenced according to a BNA story (subscription) published yesterday. FWS has identified eight among hundreds its reviewed that MacDonald may have influenced for political considerations.

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Senate Examines Chinese Imported Product Safety

Jul 18, 2007 by Matthew Madia

In 2007 alone, Chinese imports have been responsible for a nation-wide tire recall, a ban on five types of seafood containing potentially toxic additives, toys manufactured with lead-based paint, contaminated pet-food, and various other defective goods. In response to these concerns the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held an unofficial meeting today to shed light on why government agencies have been so slow to combat product safety violations.

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A Galling Example of White House Regulatory Delay

Jul 17, 2007 by Matthew Madia

The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) is sitting on a rule which would set speed limits for large shipping vessels traveling along the eastern seaboard during the migration season of the North Atlantic right whale. The standard would reduce the number of whales killed in collisions with ships. Because the rule is considered "major," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) submitted the rule to OIRA for the standard review period prescribed by Executive Order 12866.

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Bill Would Force EPA to Decide on State Petitions

Jul 16, 2007 by Matthew Madia

In December 2005, California petitioned EPA to allow the state to develop its own vehicle emissions regulations. Since then, EPA has obstinately refused to decide either way. Only recently did Administrator Stephen Johnson set a timetable, promising action by the end of the year.

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Senator Presses EPA on White House Interference in Ozone Standard

Jul 11, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Today, a subcommittee of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is holding a hearing on EPA's recent proposal to revise the national ozone standard. EPA has proposed tightening the standard, but not to the extent recommended by its own staff scientists and advisors.

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Don't Forget about a CPSC Commissioner

Jul 10, 2007 by Matthew Madia

This is a Reg•Watch friendly reminder to President Bush that he has not yet announced a suitable nominee to head the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). CPSC is an independent regulatory agency responsible for ensuring product safety by promulgating rules and negotiating or forcing recalls. In May, consumer advocates rightly heralded the withdrawal of the nomination of former industry lobbyist Michael Baroody. But a month-and-a-half later, Bush has not announced a new nominee.

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Major Holes in Financial Product Safety Net

Jul 9, 2007 by Matthew Madia

A Los Angeles Times article airs the views of Elizabeth Warren, a Harvard law professor who wants the federal government to do a better job protecting Americans from confusing or misleading financial products. Warren contends government does a much better job of regulating products like toasters than it does of regulating financial products like mortgages and credit cards. Warren is calling for a financial products safety commission which would operate much like the existing Consumer Product Safety Commission:

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EPA Delays Recycling Rule, White House Lurks in the Shadows

Jul 6, 2007 by Matthew Madia

EPA is putting the brakes on an important recycling rule, according to BNA news service (subscription). The rule has been in the works for well over a year, and EPA recently indicated it would announce a proposed rule this fall. Now, EPA says it will issue only an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, a sort of baby step in the regulatory process.

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Are Congress's FDA Reform Efforts in Vain?

Jul 5, 2007 by Matthew Madia

Today, The Washington Post published a good article by David Brown which discusses Congress's recent efforts to renew the Prescription Drug User Fee Act and to reform drug safety at FDA. The must-pass legislation will improve FDA's ability to conduct post-market surveillance. While FDA needs more authority in this area, the article rightly points out post-market surveillance is "the regulatory equivalent of chasing the horses after they are out of the barn."

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