Win for chemical industry as EPA shutters scientific research office

In a move that has stirred significant controversy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the dismantling of its Office of Research and Development (ORD) on Friday. This decision comes after a sustained effort by various industry coalitions, including those in petrochemicals, mining, and agriculture, to curtail the agency's assessments of health risks associated with chemicals. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's announcement marks a pivotal moment for these industries, who have long sought to limit the influence of ORD's scientific evaluations. Notably, more than 80 industry organizations, led by the American Chemistry Council, had previously urged Zeldin in a letter to move away from relying on ORD's assessments regarding chemical health risks. The future of the EPA’s research efforts, particularly those conducted under the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) program, is now in jeopardy. Critics of the ORD's work have argued that its assessments have often been misaligned with contemporary scientific standards and lacked transparency. A spokesperson from the American Chemistry Council expressed support for the EPA's decision, stating that the previous approach had detrimental effects on access to essential chemicals and undermined national priorities. However, many experts are concerned by the implications of this decision. Christopher Frey, an associate dean at North Carolina State University and former EPA assistant administrator in charge of ORD, defended the office's scientific integrity, emphasizing that it represented a model of rigorous scientific scrutiny. The move raises questions about the balance between industry interests and public health safety that will be closely watched in the coming months.