ATRA Files Comments with EPA, Questions Credibility of Asbestos Risk Assessment Coalition
ATRA joined others in voicing objection to the EPA’s inclusion of certain experts in its evaluation of asbestos risk.
ATRA joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others in filing comments this week with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, voicing objection to the EPA’s inclusion of certain experts on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) and TSCA SACC Ad Hoc Peer Reviewers for the March 2020 Draft Risk Evaluation for Asbestos.
The EPA opted to include individuals on these committees who also serve as paid experts for asbestos plaintiffs’ law firms, spouting opinions which have routinely been rejected by courts as not having a scientific basis. The report will negatively impact asbestos personal injury trials by providing a platform for plaintiff’s attorneys and experts to put forth the “any exposure theory.”
We are disappointed the EPA chose to include a number of highly compensated experts for plaintiffs in asbestos personal injury cases and that they have excluded any testifying experts with differing opinions from both the SACC and Ad Hoc Peer Reviewers.
Given that this process has the potential to impact the risk evaluation in asbestos litigation, the reviewers ought to be credible, fair, and balanced.
Our full comments filed with the EPA may be read here.
Latest News
View all news
Trial Lawyers Treat COVID-19 As Another Feather In Their Caps
ATRA President Tiger Joyce writes about trial lawyers’ latest pet project – business interruption lawsuits against insurance companies in the wake of COVID-19.
Transparency On the Back Burner for West Virginia AG Candidates
ATRA reports West Virginia attorney general candidates’ inaction on transparency code pledge.
Utah AG Candidates Vow to Prioritize Transparency by Signing Pledge
ATRA announces two Utah candidates for attorney general signing its AG transparency code pledge.
Trial Lawyers Delight at Prospect of Congress, White House Flip
A Washington controlled by Democrats would be a bonanza for the trial bar, writes W.J. Kennedy for Legal Newsline.
Judge Managing Opioid Lawsuit Under Scrutiny
ATRA President Tiger Joyce dives into controversies surrounding biases of the federal judge overseeing the nation’s opioid MDL for Inside Sources.
Liability Shield in Congress – ATRA Urges Quick Action
ATRA supports the SAFE TO WORK Act as part of the Senate’s HEALS Act legislative package for coronavirus relief.