WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency failed to disclose cancer risks to people it exposed to harmful pollutants in research studies, a government watchdog says.
The EPA, which warns of dangers from diesel exhaust and tiny particles in its rules to cut pollution, recruited people for tests on those pollutants in 2010 and 2011. Consent forms they were given didn’t mention cancer because the agency considered the risks minimal, the agency’s Office of Inspector General said today in a report.
“When justifying a job-killing regulation, EPA argues exposure to particulate matter is deadly, but when they are conducting experiments, they say human exposure studies are not harmful,” Sen. David Vitter, R-La., said in a statement, reacting to the report.
The EPA’s test practices have been criticized by Republicans who say the agency contradicts itself in explaining its rules and testing safety. The agency watchdog proposed procedural changes to the EPA’s program, but said “applicable regulations” were followed.