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"It is essential that EPA's scientific and
technical activities be of the highest quality
and credibility if EPA is to carry out its
responsibilities to protect human health and
the environment. "
— Carol Browner - EPA Administrator
November 24, 1999
What Are the Agency
Goals tor Scientific Integrity?
The EPA Scientific Integrity Policy outlines five goals to
ensure scientific integrity throughout the Agency.
•	EPA environmental policies, decisions, guidance,
and regulations grounded in robust, independent, and
high quality science;
•	Transparency within Agency scientific processes;
•	Scientific research and results communicated
openly and with integrity, accuracy, and timeliness;
•	Appropriate use of peer review and federal advisory
committees; and
•	Professional development of the Agency's scientists,
engineers and other technical staff.
"The work we do together to preserve the
integrity of our science is as critical as ever...
With science as our North Star — EPA has
steered America away from health risks, and
toward healthier communities and a higher
overall quality of life."
— Gina McCarthy - EPA Administrator
April28, 2014
Scientific Integrity at U.S. EPA
Safeguarding science to protect
human health and the environment
Contact Us
Scientific Integrity Official
Francesca T. Grifo, PhD
grifo.francesca@epa.gov
Scientific Integrity Program Lead
Martha Otto
otto.martha@epa.gov
Scientific Integrity Committee
The Scientific Integrity Committee
provides oversight for the implementation
of the Scientific Integrity Policy. Led by the
Scientific Integrity Official, it is comprised
of senior Agency officials from each region
and office. A list of committee members and
their contact information can be found on
our website.
To report fraud, waste or abuse, contact the
hotline (Office of Inspector General) through
one of the following methods:
E-mail: oig_hotline@epa.gov
Phone: 1-888-546-8740
Fax: 202-566-2599
Online: http://www.epa.gov/oig/
hotline.htm
Write:
EPA Inspector General Hotline
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Mailcode 2431T
Washington, DC 20460
Publication Number: 601F17001
http://www.epa.gov/scientificintegrity
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Integrity?
Scientific Integrity is the adherence to professional
values and practices when conducting, supervising,
communicating, and utilizing the results of science and
scholarship. Scientific integrity ensures objectivity, clarity,
reproducibility, and utility. It aiso provides insulation
from bias, fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, outside
interference, and censorship.
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Who Does the Scientific
Integrity Policy Apply to?
All Agency employees, including scientists, managers, and
political appointees, are required to follow this policy
when engaging in, supervising, managing, or influencing
scientific activities; communicating information in an
official capacity about Agency scientific activities; and
utilizing scientific information in making Agency policy
or management decisions. In addition, all contractors,
grantees, collaborators, and student volunteers of the
Agency who engage in scientific activities are expected to
uphold the standards established by the Policy.
What Characterizes a
Culture ot Scientific Integrity?
•	A culture of robust scientific inquiry and discussion
•	Transparent scientific processes and open communication
of science
•	Scientific conclusions that are not influenced by their
policy implications
This assures that EPA scientists can do their best work and
that EPA decisions are informed by the best science the
Agency, its contractors, grantees, and collaborators have to
offer. A culture of scientific integrity is also one that protects
employees who report allegations. Similarly, employees
who express differing scientific opinions should not fear nor
experience retaliation.
A Culture of Scientific Integrity
Why is Scientific Integrity
Important to EPA?
EPA's ability to protect human health and the environment
depends upon the integrity of the science on which it
relies. The EPA Scientific Integrity Policy provides both a
vision and a roadmap for Scientific Integrity at the Agency.
The Policy, released in 2012, builds upon EPA's significant
earlier scientific integrity efforts and focuses on promoting
a culture of scientific integrity at EPA, ensuring the release
of scientific information to the public, the consistent use
of peer review, and the professional development of its
scientists and engineers.
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How Do I Report a
Scientific ntegrity Allegation?
Formal scientific integrity allegations may be reported
to the Scientific Integrity Official, any Deputy Scientific
Integrity Official or to the Office of Inspector General,
Allegations may come from outside or inside the Agency.
•	Allegations that concern waste, fraud, abuse or other
criminal violations should be reported to the Office of
Inspector General.
•	Allegations that concern reprisal should be reported to
the Office of Inspector General or the Office of Special
Counsel.
•	Allegations that concern a financial conflict of interest
or other ethics issues involving federal employees will
be referred to the appropriate Deputy Ethics Official
or Office of General Counsel/Ethics, or the Human
Subjects Research Review Official, as appropriate.
Allegations can also be reported to the Scientific Integrity
Official without revealing the identity of the person
making the allegation. While there is no formal process
for resolving these anonymous allegations, the Scientific
Integrity Official is still interested in obtaining information
about these allegations and can take some steps to address
them and the issues they raise.
When a formal allegation is resolved, the Scientific
Integrity Official is responsible for preparing a summary
and recommendations for corrective actions to safeguard
the relevant science and will provide follow-up to ensure
that the scientific recommendations are carried out
appropriately. In addition, the resolved allegations are
summarized in EPA's scientific integrity annua! report and
on the internet in a way that protects the identity of the
parties involved.

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