AWWA JAW52371

The 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act amendments specifically require the US Environmental Protection Agency to use the best available, peer-reviewed science and supporting studies conducted in accordance with sound and objective scientific practices. The agency is also required to use data collected by accepted methods or best available methods (if the reliability of the method and the nature of the decision justify use of the data). Given the importance of science to rulemaking, this article points out that sharp disagreements often exist regarding what constitutes sound science. Topics covered include: scientific truth is not infallible; the inductive method; the scientific method; postmodern science questions reason altogether; epidemiology versus toxicology; and, scientific claims must be evaluated. Includes 7 references.