EPA Turns to AI for Chemical Reviews Amid Data Quality Concerns

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is preparing to deploy artificial intelligence tools to speed up chemical safety reviews, but experts caution that unreliable datasets could weaken the program’s effectiveness. Under the Toxic Substances Control Act, the agency is developing an “AI Chemist Assistant” and “EcoVault” to scan, organize, and summarize scientific data for staff.

Industry groups welcome the move, but researchers note that incomplete or proprietary datasets—often shielded from public view—risk producing results that cannot be reproduced or verified. Current policy requires human experts to validate AI-generated findings, yet critics warn the system is only as strong as the data it relies on.

The EPA’s review program acts as a gatekeeper for chemicals used in everything from food packaging to electronics. While AI promises faster decisions, flawed inputs could compromise public health, workplace safety, and environmental protections—raising questions about transparency, accountability, and long-term risks.

25-08-2025