Policy, politics, regulation, legislation, and science--More from the firing line

Examples of conflicts between policy, politics, regulation, legislation, and science are presented including: (1) drinking water standards for asbestos versus rocks potentially containing asbestos in watersheds, (2) radon risk versus oversimplification and overreaching available geochemical data, and (3) disposal of low-level radioactive waste versus and adequate surface and subsurface geological model for the movement of groundwater as a potential vector for radionuclide release. State geological surveys are called on in increasing frequency to address major societal problems. Geologists need to actively participate in rule-making. Once adopted, extensive administrative effort is required to modify or rescind legislation and rules. Many issues evolve from new federal and state environmental protection programs and rule-making. New administrative rules and regulations increasingly rely on lower detection limits brought on by new technology which have dramatically decreased detection limits. As a result, some geochemical detection limits are below the crustal abundance of regulated elements. Regulatory standards are sometimes written without full consideration of geochemical and mechanical dispersion. Geological and geochemical information is essential to provide a balanced perspective and to prevent spending many millions of taxpayers' dollars for unnecessary expensive tests mandated by unrealistic regulations. Key questions which earth scientists must ask at each stage ofmore » study are: (1) What is important to know (2) Why is it important to know (3) What is known now and what can be reasonably inferred (4) How does one fill in the gaps These questions must be applied in policy and decision-making through the public participatory process and during technical decision-making leading to rational and practical public policy.« less