The EPA’s January 2021 PFBS Toxicity Assessment Did Not Uphold the Agency’s Commitments to Scientific Integrity and Information Quality

View Report

Date Issued

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Submitting OIG

Environmental Protection Agency OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Environmental Protection Agency

Report Number

23-E-0013

Report Description

The EPA did not follow the typical intra-agency review and clearance process during the development and publication of the January 2021 perfluorobutane sulfonic acid, or PFBS, toxicity assessment.

Report Type

Inspection / Evaluation

Agency Wide

Yes

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

External Link

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-03/_epaoig_20230307-23-E-0013.p…

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	No	$0	$0
Develop or update existing policies, procedures, or guidance to specify whether and under which applicable circumstances comments expressing scientific disagreement can be provided for a scientific product that has undergone all peer reviews and required developmental steps set forth in applicable actions or project plans.
2	No	$0	$0
Develop or update existing policies, procedures, or technical documents to specify whether reference dose ranges are acceptable in toxicity assessments. If acceptable, specify circumstances under which reference dose ranges may be applied.