What Are the Consequences of Publication Bias in Regulatory Decision-Making?
Regulatory bodies rely on scientific evidence to establish safety standards and permissible exposure limits for chemicals. If the available literature is biased, it can lead to overly cautious or insufficiently protective regulations. For instance, overestimating the toxicity of a chemical might lead to unnecessary restrictions, affecting industries and economies. Conversely, underestimating toxicity might result in inadequate protection for workers and consumers, posing health risks.
