Dear Environmental Protection Authority,

From: Nigel Gray Subject: Official Information Request – Definitions and Use of the Terms “Safe” and “Effective” in Public Communications

Official Information Request
I request the following information under the Official Information Act 1982.
1. Definitions used by your agency
Please provide the formal definitions, criteria, or internal guidance your agency uses when describing any product, substance, or intervention as:
“safe”
“effective”
“safe and effective”
This includes any internal documents, briefing notes, communication guidelines, or risk‑communication frameworks that define or guide the use of these terms.
2. Application of these terms to vaccines
Please provide all documents, advice, or communication guidelines that informed the use of the phrase “safe and effective” (or equivalent wording) in relation to COVID‑19 vaccines.
3. Application of these terms to sodium fluoroacetate (1080)
Public‑facing material produced by government agencies has described 1080 using the terms “safe”, “effective”, or “safe and effective”. Please provide any documents, advice, or communication guidelines held by EPA that relate to the use of these terms in connection with sodium fluoroacetate (1080), including any internal discussions or advice provided to other agencies.
4. Consistency of terminology
Please provide any documents, emails, or internal discussions that address:
whether the criteria for “safe” and “effective” are applied consistently across different substances or interventions, and
whether different thresholds or standards are used when applying these terms to vaccines versus hazardous substances such as 1080.
5. Risk‑communication considerations
Please provide any internal risk‑communication assessments, reviews, or discussions relating to:
the appropriateness of using the phrase “safe and effective” for COVID‑19 vaccines, and
the appropriateness of using the terms “safe”, “effective”, or “safe and effective” in relation to 1080.
Format I am happy to receive the information electronically.

Yours faithfully,

Nigel Gray