Trump EPA seeks to weaken scrutiny for some of US's most toxic chemicals

"A new rule proposed by the Trump administration would dramatically weaken safety reviews for some of the nation's most toxic chemicals that are already on the market, public health advocates and an EPA employee warn. Many of the chemicals that would receive less scrutiny are among the nation's most dangerous substances, including PFAS, formaldehyde, asbestos and dioxins. Each poses serious health risks in consumer goods, or for workers handling the substances, advocates say."

"If implemented, the new rule would shorten the time it takes to review chemicals, and alter the methodology used to assess their dangers. It would also prohibit states from banning or restricting dangerous chemicals, and could invalidate hundreds of state-level protections. This is a gift to industry wrapped on golden wrapping paper with a big bow on it, said Kyla Bennett, a former EPA scientist now with the Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility non-profit."

"Federal law requires the Environmental Protection Agency to continuously review the safety of toxic chemicals on the market, and that requirement has been an industry target in recent years. Under Joe Biden, the EPA completed dozens of evaluations and put in place restrictions on the most toxic chemicals. The Trump EPA has reopened those evaluations, a current EPA employee who did not use their name for fear of retaliation."

The proposed rule would weaken safety reviews for many toxic chemicals on the market, including PFAS, formaldehyde, asbestos and dioxins. It would shorten review timelines and alter the methodology used to assess chemical dangers. The rule would prohibit states from banning or restricting dangerous chemicals and could invalidate hundreds of state-level protections. Federal law requires the EPA to continuously review the safety of toxic chemicals, a requirement that has been an industry target. The Trump EPA has reopened evaluations completed under the Biden administration and may reassess them under the new, less stringent process. The EPA says the rule would streamline and speed up risk evaluations without changing basic methodology.

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