The agency says that to “reset” the advisory boards and bolster “scientific integrity,” more than 40 advisors appointed during former President Donald Trump’s tenure have been let go.
The Trump-era regulation, which allowed certain studies to be downplayed in the development of environmental regulations, drew sharp criticism from scientists and environmental groups.
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.
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.
Scrutinizing a company’s study on a widely used pesticide, chlorpyrifos, academic researchers find shortcomings in analyses and public disclosures of results.
Opponents of the guidelines, which would bar results of many public health studies from use in policy making, include scientific and healthcare organizations.
Republicans and conservative media outlets are turning on the agency administrator as allegations of ethical misconduct and excessive spending pile up.
An aide to President Donald Trump has final say over grants at the Environmental Protection Agency and has nixed close to $2 million of the agency’s awards.
In an effort to split from the Obama administration, EPA replaces scientists from a central advisory board while the Interior department freezes 200 plus advisory groups.
