Top EPA Official’s Industry-Friendly Moves Undermine Regulations To Protect Public Health
Nancy Beck's efforts to roll back certain rules is part of a broad initiative by the Trump administration to change the way the federal government evaluates health and environmental risks associated with hazardous chemicals.
The New York Times:
Why Has The E.P.A. Shifted On Toxic Chemicals? An Industry Insider Helps Call The Shots
For years, the Environmental Protection Agency has struggled to prevent an ingredient once used in stain-resistant carpets and nonstick pans from contaminating drinking water. The chemical, perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, has been linked to kidney cancer, birth defects, immune system disorders and other serious health problems. So scientists and administrators in the E.P.A.’s Office of Water were alarmed in late May when a top Trump administration appointee insisted upon the rewriting of a rule to make it harder to track the health consequences of the chemical, and therefore regulate it. (Lipton, 10/21)
The New York Times:
The E.P.A.’s Top 10 Toxic Threats, And Industry’s Pushback
The Environmental Protection Agency has published a list of 10 toxic threats it will evaluate first under a law passed last year intended to crack down on hazardous chemicals. (Lipton, 10/21)
