Statistics and finances would override the health-based standards at the heart of many existing environmental laws.

It would be better to apply a health-based standard for the characterization of paints.

"We want to move to a strict health-based standard for setting limits for pesticides in food," she said.

It sets national, health-based standards for both naturally occurring and man-made contaminants that may be found in drinking water.

"That is a health-based standard," Ms. Hammond said.

Approximately 89 percent of Americans are receiving water from community water systems that meet all health-based standards.

Carbon monoxide is one of the six main air pollutants governed by the health-based standards of the Clean Air Act.

The third limitation is that benefits could not be used to override the health-based standard for children.

The bill would require all coastal states to adopt uniform, health-based standards for beach water quality.

The bill would replace the existing health-based standard for pesticides in food with a cost-benefit standard.