The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is close to finishing a revision on how EPA assesses risk for toxic substances, according to Inside EPA(subscription). The new framework would affect EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database. For years, IRIS has been a tool for regulators to determine the "human health effects that may result from exposure to various substances found in the environment." Now, EPA is bowing to pressure from the White House and the Pentagon by allowing other agencies to meddle in the risk assessment process. Under the new framework, some agencies would have the opportunity to voice concern before data is included in IRIS. If the substance in question is deemed “mission critical” the agency would be allowed to submit alternate data, and ”potentially alter the final risk number,” according to Inside EPA. Good grief! If this plan comes into fruition, it will likely have catastrophic effects on the quality and quantity of exposure information the public can access through IRIS. Agencies will be able to fiddle with data they don't like. Stay tuned to Reg Watch for more.