CURRENT AFFAIRS: EPA Scientists Complain of Political Interference

An outside survey by the Union of Concerned Scientists of EPA scientists found that 60% of the respondents complained of political interference, i.e., one instance of interference in the last 5 years (the negative responses were: 900 out of the 1,600 respondents in a 5,400 person survey.

PNL Stories (Current Affairs on 3/18/08) previously reported on the story of Dr. Deborah Rice accused by the Bush Administration of conflict of interest even as many of the EPA's panels are loaded with scientists who work for the very companies whose chemicals they are evaluating.

In 850 anonymous essays (optional in the survey), almost 100 scientists singled out the Office of Management and Budget for inserting pressure at early stages of the evaluation process and then delaying the release of studies until changes, more to its liking, are effected. On numerous issues—ranging from mercury pollution to groundwater contamination to climate change— political appointees of the George W. Bush administration have edited scientific documents, manipulated scientific assessments, and generally sought to undermine the science behind dozens of EPA regulations.

On a positive note, 1,282 scientists (81%) respected the integrity and professionalism of their direct manager or supervisor, while 686 (43%) said the same about the EPA’s senior leaders. A spokeswoman for the Union admitted that only those who are disgruntled might reply to the online survey, but stated that 900 responses was far too many to ignore. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) wrote to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on Wednesday asking him to be prepared to respond to the findings at a hearing next month of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: EPA Investigated for Spiking Key Panels with Industry Reps

The House Energy and Commerce Committee, chaired by John Dingell of Michigan (pictured left), will investigate the US EPA for possible conflicts of interest. The Committee sent a letter to the US EPA which states, the chair of an EPA external peer review panel, Dr. Deborah Rice, had been dismissed from her position after the American Chemistry Council complained Rice was not impartial because she had previously expressed concerns about the health effects of the chemical under review.

Meanwhile, the letter notes, at least nine EPA panels assessing the human health effects of toxic chemicals have included individuals alleged to have financial interests in the chemical industry.

Mr. Dingell said, “The EPA seems to have a backwards way of composing these panels. EPA is disallowing scientists who have valid public health concerns about products, while encouraging participation by so-called experts who are paid by the chemical industry.”