Environmental Health Office
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Your Aug. 27 editorial (“Wilson’s End Run”) ignored important facts. I have championed better, newer science to provide a more accurate and objective picture of the harm chemical exposures can cause. We cannot stand still and practice the science of 15 or 20 years ago.
The facts speak for themselves. Our health evaluations of lead, environmental tobacco smoke, arsenic, cadmium and other chemicals have been widely praised. We have diligently administered Proposition 65. The list contains 433 chemicals known to the state to cause cancer, and 187 chemicals known to the state to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm; 54 listings have been added during my tenure over the last two years. The day I was sworn in, we halted the flawed records policy of my predecessor, then I rescinded it completely. I instituted a new policy based upon a fundamental scientific principle: When authors deem their work complete, it becomes a record.
Finally, I am serving only temporarily as acting chief deputy director. I have been assured by the administration that recruiting a director is a high priority.
RICHARD A. BECKER PhD
Acting Chief Deputy Director
Office of Environmental Health
Hazard Assessment, California
Environmental Protection Agency
Sacramento
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