WASHINGTON, Jul 23, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A U.S. Labor Department's proposal
that would make it tougher to regulate exposure to workplace toxins has raised
the ire of politicians and health experts.
The text of the proposed rule has not been made public, but sources briefed on
the change told The Washington Post it would seek a re-examination of methods
used to measure risks posed by workplace toxins.
The Labor Department did not, as required, disclose the proposed rule change in
public notices of regulatory plans filed in December and May, the Post said.
Instead, it became known July 7, when the White House Office of Management and
Budget posted on its Web site that it was reviewing the proposal.
Leon Sequeira, Labor Department assistant secretary for policy, told the Post
the department didn't reveal interest in the rule change earlier because
officials weren't sure whether they wanted to pursue it.
David Michaels, an epidemiologist and workplace safety professor at George
Washington University's School of Public Health, said the rule would add another
barrier to creating safety standards.
Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor
Committee, said the action "makes me highly suspicious that some high-level
political appointees are up to no good. This Congress will not stand for the
gutting of health and safety protections as the Bush administration heads out
the door."
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