" Impact on Consumers of EPA’s Proposed Risk Mitigation Determination for Rodenticides ",
with Lawrence Culleen, Rick Kingston, and Eileen Mayer
for Reckitt Benckiser,
presentation to the Environmental Protection Agency,
May 7, 2007

For this project, my colleagues and I obtained, reviewed, and analyzed data on rodent and rodenticide exposures, adverse health effects, and control strategies from public and proprietary sources, including the CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) and AAPCC Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) databases. These data were used to develop estimates of the positive and negative health benefits of restricting consumer access to currently available rodenticides. The economic impact on consumers was also evaluated using control cost estimates available from EPA and the client.

Our analysis showed that the potential health benefits of restricting consumer access to rodenticides are nearly, if not completely, outweighed by the adverse health effects associated with increased rodent exposures and increased use of other methods of rodent control. The economic burden on rodenticide-using households associated with these restrictions was projected to be well in excess of $200 million annually.

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"Room Air Conditioner Power Cord Protection",
with William J. Keezer
for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers,
presentation to NEC Code Making Panel #11,
January 22, 2003

For this project, my colleagues and I obtained, reviewed, and analyzed data from consumer injury and fire incident databases. These data were used to develop an assessment of the relative contribution of unit cords and plugs to the overall number of fires involving fixed local and portable air conditioners.

Our analysis showed that these types of incidents accounted for no more than one or two percent of fire department attended fires involving these products.

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"Price Elasticity Estimates
for Three Major Categories of Portable Two-Stroke Power Equipment",

for the Portable Power Equipment Manufacturers Association,
before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
June 27, 1995

For this project, my colleagues and I collected data on industry-wide and company-specific product shipments, market shares, and average retail prices. These data were then used to derive estimates of the price elasticities of demand for each of the three major categories of consumer-oriented portable two-stroke power equipment: chain saws, trimmer/brushcutters, and handheld blowers.

Our analysis showed that sales of consumer model chain saws, trimmer/brushcutters, and handheld blowers were very sensitive to average retail price.

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"The Cost-Effectiveness and Small Business Impact
of OSHA's Proposed Regulatory Standards for Methylene Chloride",

for the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance,
before the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration,
September 18, 1992

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had proposed a rule that would reduce the permissible exposure limit for methylene chloride. For this project, my colleagues and I reviewed OSHA's analyses of benefits and costs of the proposed regulations, and their implications for cost-effectiveness.

Our analysis showed that OSHA underestimated the total cost of the regulation to the affected industries, underestimated its effect on small businesses, and overestimated its cost-effectiveness, all by significant amounts.