Arsenic, a deadly poison, appears in small amounts due to it's natural occurance in the Earth's crust. The Clinton administration measure, however, was meant to curb the amount that gets into water from it's useage by the mining industry, chemical companies, and petroleum refineries.

The standard proposed by former EPA chief Carol Browner would have reduced the acceptable level of arsenic in drinking water from 50 parts to 10 parts per billion.

According to a 1999 study by the National Academy of Sciences, arsenic in drinking water has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lung, skin and possibly liver and kidney as well.

Republicans applauded the Bush administration stance, saying that more study needs to be done to make sure the facts are correct.

"I want to be sure that the conclusions about arsenic in the rule are supported by the best possible science," said Christine Todd Whitman, current head of the EPA. "And that can only happen after thousands or perhaps millions of people die from cancer related to ingesting contaminated water. So we've got a ways to go before anything is conclusive."

Unsurprisingly, Democrats and enviromental groups blasted the lack of effort by the EPA, saying it is a sure sign that corporate interests come first in a Bush-run government.

"This is a typical Republican move," said famous enviromentalist Heywood Jablomie, "protecting big business and industry over the health and safety of the people. Twenty years ago they would have fought the removal of asbestos from schools because there wasn't enough proof that it causes lung damage."

President Bush defended the EPA decision, however, saying that Whitman made the correct move to begin reversing the Clinton administration plan.