EPA Proposes Changes in Determining Cancer Risk of Chemicals, Pollutants

WASHINGTON--The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposingthat scientists rely less on animal testing and more on microbiologicalstudies in calculating the cancer risk of chemicals and pollutants.The new regulations would place more emphasis on how chemicalsactually affect human cells.

The changes could have a major impact on the country's programsto control pollution and pesticide use. The new regulations werepublished in the Federal Register in April, and will be put intofinal form after completion of 4 months of public comment.