EPA Press Release

[slester@essential.org]

On September 29, the EPA released its official press release regarding 
the approval of the Science Advisory Board's Dioxin Review report.  The 
press release follows:

 
   
   
   PA SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD APPROVES DIOXIN REVIEW
   
   FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1995
   
   SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD APPROVES DIOXIN REVIEW
 
                            Luke Hester 202-260-1383
 
   
   
   The Science Advisory Board Executive Committee has approved its
Dioxin
   Subcommittee report on the technical merits of the EPA
reassessment of
   dioxin. The SAB Executive Committee is supportive of the
Agency's
   efforts to broaden and interpret the scientific basis of the
   reassessment, while recommending further consideration of
technical
   issues pertaining to risk characterization. The Agency is
currently
   working on revisions to the dioxin reassessment and expects to
send a
   revision to the SAB next year. For further information call
Samuel
   Rondberg, Science Advisory Board at 202-260-6552.
 
R-177                         # # #

   

In addition, on October 9, 1995, National Public Radio ran a 42-second 
spot during their feature "Living on Earth" regarding the dioxin review.  



DIOXIN REASSESSMENT IS ASSESSED

THE EPA'S SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD HAS PUT ITS SEAL ON A CONTROVERSIAL 
EVALUATION OF DIOXIN AS A DNAGEROUS SUBSTANCE...EVEN AT LOW LEVELS.  THE 
ADVISORY BOARD...MADE UP OF INDEPENDENT SCIENTISTS...URGED THE AGENCY TO 
PUT THE DANGERS OF DIOXIN INTO BETTER CONTEXT.  BUT DOCTOR WILLIAM 
FARLAND...OF THE EPA'S NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL 
ASSESSMENT...SAYS THAT WON'T CHANGE THE REPORT'S BOTTOM LINE - THAT 
DIOXIN IS A PROBABLE CARCINOGEN WHICH MAY CAUSE OTHER NONCANCER 
DISEASES...AND THAT IT CAN BE DANGEROUS IN MICROSCOPC AMOUNTS.  FARLAND 
EXPECTS TO HAVE THE FINAL REPORT DIOXIN READY BY THE END OF 1996...FIVE 
AND A HALF YEARS AFTER REASSESSMENT OF THE TOXIC CHEMICAL BEGAN. 




Michael Drescher
Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste
e-mail:  cchw@essential.org