The regulation, which requires that the agency give preference to dose-response studies in which the underlying data are available, could downplay findings key to defining the dangers of pollution.

Citing potential worker shortages and the effects of restricted travel and social distancing, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a “sweeping suspension” of environmental regulations that some say gives companies free rein to pollute.

The changes would further restrict which scientific findings can be used in drafting regulations.

Most know Rachel Carson for her work on the dangers of chemical pollutants, but the writer’s earlier prose took readers on a tour of a mysterious underwater world.

The companies that market the products, Syngenta, Valent, and Bayer, are allowed to sell existing stock of the chemicals until 2020.

Scrutinizing a company’s study on a widely used pesticide, chlorpyrifos, academic researchers find shortcomings in analyses and public disclosures of results.

If confirmed, the acting administrator and former coal lobbyist will permanently replace former boss Scott Pruitt.

It will be more than a year before the agency institutes or rejects the controversial changes proposed by former EPA head Scott Pruitt.

Opponents of the guidelines, which would bar results of many public health studies from use in policy making, include scientific and healthcare organizations.