,,Small Businesses, Public Health, and Scientific Integrity

Small Businesses, Public Health, and Scientific Integrity


 

Publication Date: January 2013

Publisher: Center for Effective Government

Author(s): Randy Rabinowitz; Katie Greenhaw; Katie Weatherford

Research Area: Government; Labor

Keywords: cancer; formaldehyde; styrene; chromium

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This report examines the activities of an independent office within the Small Business Administration: the Office of Advocacy. The Office of Advocacy has responsibility for ensuring that federal agencies evaluate the small business impacts of the rules they adopt. Scientific assessments are not “rules” and do not regulate small business, yet the Office of Advocacy decided to comment on technical, scientific assessments of the cancer risks of formaldehyde, styrene, and chromium. By its own admission, Advocacy lacks the scientific expertise to evaluate the merits of such assessments.