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(Fall 2001)—The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plans for massive chemical testing on animals are now underway. Three large-scale animal testing programs to determine the effects of chemical toxicity in humans are in place: the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), the High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program, and the Voluntary Chil-dren’s Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP).

Since our last report (UPDATE, Vol. 1, No. 2, Summer 2000), the EPA has issued revised deadlines for the Endocrine Disruptor Priority Setting Database (EDPSD) with results to be published by 12/02. The validity of the testing is still in question. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) determined that more research is needed to ascertain whether the effects of chemical exposure at low doses can even be detected through such testing.

Still, the EPA has continued to oppose reduction of the number of animals to be used. The High Production Volume (HPV) program exists solely to prioritize chemicals for further testing and relies heavily on outdated animal tests. Hazard data already exists for many of the 2,800 high production volume chemicals, many known for decades to be extremely toxic.

The Voluntary Children’s Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP) is regulated by the EPA, but voluntarily tested by the chemical industry. The VCCEP is an ostensible attempt to identify chemicals that pose a high-exposure risk to children. Little is being done to reduce animal testing through use of available alternative testing. Testing is now underway by at least 36 officially registered chemical manufacturers, with all testing to be completed by 2004.

The present knowledge of the connection between endocrine receptors and chemical exposure indicates that there are significant differences between the endocrine systems of humans and animals. According to many scientists, the results of chemical exposure in animals will reveal little reliable data on humans, yet potentially millions of animals will be killed.

We are urging the EPA to delay testing until adequate chemical data is collected and non-animal tests are implemented. Respectfully request that all animal-based testing programs are halted and that a policy dedicated to the elimination of painful animal experimentation in any present or future EPA testing be devised.

What You Can Do

Contact your congressperson and EPA Administrator today.

For your senator: www.senate.gov/ contacting/index.cfm

For your representative(s): www.house.gov/writerep

Contact Administrator Whitman:
The Honorable Christine Todd Whitman
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building Room 3000
#1101-A 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
Tel: 202-564-4700
Fax: 202-501-1450

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