Maria Hegstad

The Ninth Circuit has vacated and remanded a federal district judge’s novel ruling that the Environmental Protection Action improperly denied anti-fluoridation groups’ petition to ban drinking water fluoridation, agreeing with EPA that the judge inappropriately inserted himself into the case.

Environmental Protection Agency officials are considering expanding the voluntary Safer Choice green chemistry program, which has long focused on cleaning products, to also cover personal care products primarily regulated by FDA -- though EPA chemicals chief Michal Freedhoff says leaders at both agencies are still “exploring” the idea.