On February 2, 2024, Lynn L. Bergeson was quoted by Science in the article "Does fluoride in drinking water lower IQ? Question looms large in court battle." The case, being heard in a federal district court, “is precedent setting,” says Lynn Bergeson, a managing partner of Bergeson & Campbell who focuses on chemical toxicity. Rarely have judges had to “manage the enormity of this record of scientific evidence. … That’s why there’s a lot of attention focused on this right...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 30, 2024, the publication of a draft testing method (EPA Method 1634) that will enable government agencies, Tribes, and other groups to determine where and when 6PPD-quinone is present in local stormwater and surface waters. As reported in our November 3, 2023, blog item, on November 2, 2023, EPA announced that it granted a petition filed under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address the use of the...
February 5, 2024
EPA Proposes to Modify the Definition of Hazardous Waste and Add Multiple PFAS as Hazardous Constituents
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on February 1, 2024, two proposed rules that will add to its comprehensive approach to tackling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution and the commercial bottom line for hundreds of businesses facing costs for cleanup. The first proposed rule would modify the definition of hazardous waste as it applies to cleanups at permitted hazardous waste facilities. EPA states that this modification “would assure that EPA’s...
On January 24, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began a 30-day public comment period on the draft updates to its Scientific Integrity Policy (Policy). 89 Fed. Reg. 4606. EPA states that in accordance with the requirements of the 2021 Presidential Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-based Policymaking, it is revising its Policy. The updated Policy will adopt a new federal definition of scientific integrity and “meaningfully...
February 2, 2024
Lynn L. Bergeson Quoted in Bloomberg BNA Article “Fluoride Science on Trial in Case With Broader Chemical Impacts”
On January 30, 2024, comments by Lynn L. Bergeson were featured in Bloomberg BNA's article on Food & Water Watch Inc. v. EPA. The section of TSCA that authorizes citizens’ petitions, also says petitioners who later sue the EPA for denying their petition must be provided an opportunity for a “de novo” review by the court. The court is authorized to review the entirety of the administrative record developed by the EPA and to allow new facts and information be introduced into...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched enhancements to an online search tool for its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing on January 30, 2024. According to EPA, the search tool makes it easier to view and sort standards and ecolabels that EPA recommends U.S. federal government purchasers use to meet sustainable acquisition goals and mandates. The search tool allows users to identify the types of products or services covered by an...
February 1, 2024
EuropaBio Publishes Biomanufacturing Global Series Reports on the United States, India, and Japan
EuropaBio, the European Association for Bioindustries, has begun publishing a Biomanufacturing Global Series. To date, EuropaBio has published the following one-page summaries, providing information on a country’s policies, targets, and investments: US in Focus: According to EuropaBio, the United States has a comprehensive approach, targeting challenges such as climate change or national security, and sectors, including chemical, agriculture, and health. EuropaBio states that the Biden...
January 31, 2024
USDA Awarding $19 Million in Grants to U.S. Business Owners to Increase Access to Clean, Affordable Domestic Biofuels
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on January 11, 2024, that it is awarding $19 million in grants to U.S. business owners to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 22 states and provide “cleaner, more affordable fuel options at gas station pumps as part of President Biden’s Bidenomics agenda to lower costs and invest in America.” USDA is making the awards through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP), made possible with funding from...
The March 1, 2024, deadline for all establishments, foreign and domestic, that produce pesticides, devices, or active ingredients to file their annual production for the 2023 reporting year is fast approaching. Pursuant to Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 7(c)(1) (7 U.S.C. § 136e(c)(1)), “Any producer operating an establishment registered under [Section 7] shall inform the Administrator within 30 days after it is registered of the types and amounts of...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on January 31, 2024, that it has begun accepting applications for the 2024 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards. EPA states that the awards will recognize the leadership contributions of Safer Choice partners and stakeholders showing achievement in the design, manufacture, selection, promotion, sale, and use of Safer Choice- or Design for the Environment (DfE)-certified products that further outstanding or innovative source reduction....