Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1415

Congress moves to bar EPA from using IRIS risk assessments in rules, enforcement, permits, and pollution mapping tools

No IRIS Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

⏸

Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Key Points

This bill would stop the Environmental Protection Agency from using its IRIS risk assessments when writing or finalizing new rules.
From policy text
“the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may not use any assessment generated by the Integrated Risk Information System program of the Environmental Protection Agency-- (1) to develop, finalize, or issue a rule or regulation;”
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It would also block EPA from using IRIS in other actions like enforcement decisions and permit approvals.
From policy text
“to carry out any other regulatory, enforcement, or permitting action;”
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The ban would extend to tools that map or screen pollution risks, including air toxics assessments, if they rely on IRIS.
From policy text
“to inform air toxics assessments or other mapping or screening tools.”
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In daily life, this could make it harder for EPA to justify new limits on certain chemicals, which may affect how quickly health protections are updated.
Supporters may see this as preventing “behind-the-scenes” restrictions; critics may see it as weakening the science EPA uses to protect health.

EnvironmentClimate ChangeConsumer ProtectionHealthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

How this policy affects specific groups of people

Negative Impacts(3)

Chronic Illness

Hurts

Child Tax Credit

Hurts

Federal Employee

Hurts

Mixed Impacts(6)

Union Member

Neutral

Farmer Rancher

Neutral

Small Business Owner

Neutral

Housing Assistance

Neutral

Homeowner

Neutral

Renter

Neutral

Milestones

3 milestones3 actions

Feb 18, 2025House

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Feb 18, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

As soon as the bill becomes law

EPA stops using IRIS assessments in new or updated rules, permits, enforcement actions, and air-toxics screening tools

Pollution standards or permit decisions that would have used IRIS may be delayed, changed, or justified using other sources instead; communities and businesses may see slower changes

Related News

4 articles

American Chemistry Council·about 1 year ago

ACC Applauds the Introduction of the No IRIS Act

ACC praises bicameral introduction of the No IRIS Act (S. 623 / H.R. 1415) to block EPA use of IRIS assessments in rulemakings and other regulatory actions, arguing it promotes transparent, high-quality science.

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Wired·10 months ago

The EPA Will Likely Gut Team That Studies Health Risks From Chemicals

Reports on threats to EPA’s IRIS program amid EPA science reorganization; provides context for why legislation such as the No IRIS Act targets IRIS’ role in underpinning health-based regulations.

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American Council on Science and Health·3 months ago

Formaldehyde Breaks Free from the Shackles of IRIS

Discusses IRIS’ role in chemical risk decisions and notes the February 2025 No IRIS Act bills that would prohibit EPA from using IRIS assessments in rulemakings and other regulatory actions.

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