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Pubillher: Richard S. Nicholson Edlton Daniel E. Kost~nd, Jr. D~dy Editor: ERie Rub~nstain Managing Editor: Moeica M. Bradford D~puty Edltor~: Philip H. Abalson (Er~ineedng and App~ Sc~ces~. J~n t. Brauma.n (Physk~ Sc~ces~. Thomas R. Cech (B~o/og/ca~' So'ences) Editorial Staff A~ietant Managing Editor: Dawn Bennmt Senior Edltor~: Eleanora Butz. R. Brooks Hanson, Bad)am Jasny, Katrina L. Kelner, Und~ J. Miller, Philltp D. Szurom~, Oav~l F, Voss A~oclata Edltor~: Gilbert J. Chin, Pamela J. Hines. Paula A. Kiberstis, SukJ Parks. L Bryan Ray Latter~: Christina Gilbert, Eo~toc Staven S. Labham Book Reviews: Katherine L~ngsto~, Edito~ Conlflbutlng Editor: Law~enc~ I. Grossman Chief Production Ed~lor: Ellen E. Murphy Editing D~partm~nt: Lois Schmi~ S~',~xCopy Ed/tor: Douglas B. Casey, Valerie Jablow, Ham/Jach. Er~k G. Mor~s Copy D~k: Jo~ S. Granger. Bevedy Shields. Ki~l en L Wall Editorial Suppo~: Shen-/f Farmer, Supe.,visoc Caro~n Kyla, Miracle Listis~rdo Diane Long, Patric~ M. Moore. Melissa Quackenbos0 Kameak~ Williams Administrative Support: Sylvia Kihara, Jeanette Prasteln " Newl Staff Managing News Edllor: Co,in Norman Deputy News Edltore: T~m Appenzellar, John M. Benditt, Jean Marx N~wz and Comment/Research N~ws: Ivan Amato, Chrieto~her Anderson, Faye Rein. Troy Gately (copy), At~ Gibbons, Cotmtance Holder, Richard A. Kerr, Eliot Marshall, Le.s~ie Roberts, Rich~,rcl Sto~e, Dawn Levy (intern) Bureau=: Peter Aldhous (London), Marcia Barinega 0/Vest Coast), John Travie (Northeast), Anne Sirno~ Moffel (Midwest) Contributing ~: J0~eph Alper, Barry A, Cipra, Jon Cohen, Rot~Ht Crease, Elizabeth Culotte, Robe~l Poo~, Gary Taube& M. Mitct~! Waldrop Admlniltrath~ Support:, Fennie Groom Art & Production Staff Production: James Landry. Director;. Wencly K. Shank, Managec Catherine S. Siskos, Assistant Manage~. Schertaine Mack. Associate: L~nda C. Owens. Macin- tosh Operator Art: Amy Decker Henry, Direcfoc, C. Faber Smith, Associate Director. Diana DeFrancesco. Techncal II- kJStlator. Holly Bishop. Graphics Assistant Administrative Support: Leslie Blizard • Assodate Publisher:. Beth Rosner Circulation Director:. Michae~ Sl~nella See Letters page for additional Advertlsin9 and Circulation Staff Science Edltoflal Board Charles J. Amtzen Elizabeth E. Bailey David Baltimore William F. Bdnkman F_ Mam~aret Bud:Ndge Pierre-Giles de Gennes Joseph L GokJ.ste+n Mary L Good Ha,'~ B Gray John J. Hopheld F. Clark Howell Paul A. Marks Yas~JtOCn~ Nishlzuka Helen M. Ranney Robert M. Edwae:l C. S~x~e J~nes D. Watson EDITORIAL Regulatory,Costs On 20 January, the Democrats become sole heirs to a phenomenon of regulation gone amok. In April 1992, 59 regulatory agencies with about t25,000 employees were at work on 4,186 pending regulations. The cost during 1991 of mandates already in place has been estimated at $542 billion. The fastest growing component of costs is environmental regulations, which amounted to $115 billion in 1991 but are slated to grow by more than 50 percent in constant dollars by the year 2000. Twenty years ago, costs of federal environmental regulations were not visible to the public. However, the number and stringency of unfunded federal requirements have since increased markedly. New and tighter regulations have drained funds from cities, towns, school districts, and individuals. A result is the beginning of a revolt. There is a growing questioning t~f the Factual basis for federal command and control actions and of the scientific competence of the regulators. Two examples will be cited. Nine participating cities in Ohio have made an important, detailed study of impacts on them of 14 environmental regulations or issues. They estimate their compliance costs (1992 to 2001) at about $3 billion." One of the cities, Columbus, had a budget of $591 million in 1991, of which $62 million went to environmental compliance. Projected compliance costs in 1995 are $I07 million (1991 dollars). Faced with difficult fi~nding choices, Mayor Greg Lashutka decided that Columbus should create its own Environ- mental Science Advisory Committee. The mayor had rich scientific resources including Ohio State University, Battelle, Columbus, and Chemical Abstracts. Edward F. Hayes, Vice Presi- dent for Research of Ohio State University, was named chairman of the committee. Hayes has questioned the judgment inherent in some of the federal command and control regulations. As one example he cited the Safe Drinking Water Act, which requires that at least 133 specified pol{utants be monitored. Many of the substances are not present in significant quantities in Ohio. In other instances, mandated regulatory levels are extremely tight. He cited the herbicide Atrazine, Although its average level at water intakes is far below 3 parts per billion, the city may be required to install "best available technology" for Atrazine removal at a cost of $80 million for each of two surface water plants. Hayes has stated that the action level is 3 parts per billion because effects of massive doses to rats are extrapolated to infinitesimal doses in humans, and regulators included a thousandfold factor of safety. If the factor of safety were set at 100, then a major uncertainty would be removed, and Columbus would be more free to address real health problems in the community. Another example of questioning of the judgment of federal regulators involves the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its proposal to limit levels of radon in drinking water to 300 picocuries per liter, The EPA estimated that the cost to achieve this standard nationwide would be $1.6 billion in capital costs and additional annual expenses of $180 million. The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) found that the cost for meeting the radon water standard in California alone would approach $3.7 billion. National costs were estimated at $12 to SZ0 billion, and only I percent of the public radon exposure would be reduced. The ACWA lined up support from 27 California members of the House of Representa- tives. A letter dispatched to President Bush and signed by them included: "We are deeply concerned about new regulations which place a considerable financial burden on our citizens without providing appreciable public benefit." Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) has been aware of deficiencies at EPA. In the 102nd session of Congress he introduced S. 2132, a bill designed "To require the Admin- istrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to seek ,ongoing advice from independent experts in ranking relative environmental risks; to conduct the research and monitoring necessary to ensure a sound scientific basis for decision-making; and to use such information in managing available resources to protect society from the greatest risks to human health. welfare, and ecological resources." The bill was not acted on, but a modified version will be ~ntroduced in the new Congress and should recewe widespread support. Philip H. Abelson "'Oh=o MeUopolitan Area C.<:~t Report lot Envlronmenlal Com~iance" (Columbus Health Department. C~uml:xes. OH. 1992). Copies o( the report may L:)e obta~'~d Iron Michael J Pom~li. Assistant Health C~s- s*o~et, tek~: 614645-6181. SCIENCE - VOL 259 ° 8JANUARY 1993 159 T!05561282