What major change to chemical risk assessments is the EPA implementing, according to the leaked memo?

According to the leaked internal memo from EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi dated April 27, the EPA is ending its use of the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program to conduct hazard and dose-response assessments for chemicals; instead, policy offices—including the Office of Air and Radiation, the Office of Water, and the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention—will now be responsible for all parts of the chemical risk assessment process.

Why is the EPA discontinuing the IRIS program, as stated in the memo?

The memo states the IRIS program is being discontinued due to 'internal and external complaints about overly conservative assessments,' a 'need for continuity,' and 'not adequately considering important scientific issues'; Fotouhi also directs employees to re-review prior chemical assessments that relied on IRIS and mandates adding a disclaimer to the IRIS website stating its values 'are not necessarily intended for use as regulatory levels.'

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