Abstract |
One of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys highest priorities is to assure chemicals are safe for both people and the environment. The EPA developed the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP) in response to the statutory mandate in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to develop a screening programto determine whether certain substances may have an effect in humans that is similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or such other endocrine effects as the Administrator may designate. As part of the EDSP, the statute also provides the EPA with authority to provide for the testing of any other substance that may have an effect that is cumulative to an effect of a pesticide chemical if the Administrator determines that a substantial population may be exposed to such a substance. In addition to FFDCA, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) provides the EPA with authority to provide for testing of any other substances that may be found in sources of drinking water if the Administrator determines that a substantial population may be exposed to such substance. Beyond testing and determining endocrine effects, FFDCA also authorizes the EPA to take action: In the case of any substance that is found...to have an endocrine effect...the Administrator shall, as appropriate, take action under such statutory authority as is available to the Administrator to ensure the protection of public health. |