Improving Science in Chemical Assessments Act

This legislation proposes to change how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) evaluates the health risks of chemicals. Currently, the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program is responsible for identifying chemical hazards and determining how different doses affect human health. This bill would instead require these scientific assessments to be conducted directly by the specific EPA program offices that oversee relevant regulations, such as those dealing with air quality, water safety, or land cleanup.

To manage this transition, the bill would require the EPA to create a steering committee. This committee would be tasked with coordinating the work between different offices to prevent redundant research and ensure that chemical evaluations are consistent across the agency. If enacted, the practical impact could lead to changes in how the federal government determines the safety levels of chemicals found in everyday environments, potentially shifting the technical process behind environmental regulations.