July 7, 2021: EPA Scientists Claim Safety Assessments were Altered to Downplay Risks

Four EPA scientists are claiming managers in the chemicals office intentionally changed safety assessments to downplay the risks posed by the substances.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) requested the investigation. The scientists claim their risk assessments had language identifying potentially adverse impacts removed. In addition, considerable revisions were made, changing conclusions to indicate there aren’t toxicity concerns. This is “despite data to the contrary.”
An EPA spokesperson said the agency is “committed to investigating alleged violations of scientific integrity. It is critical that all EPA decisions are informed by rigorous scientific information and standards. EPA’s scientific integrity official and scientific integrity team members will thoroughly investigate any allegation of violation of EPA’s scientific integrity policy that they receive and work to safeguard EPA science. EPA leadership are reviewing these complaints, and any appropriate action will be taken.”

EPA employees allege changes to assessments that downplayed chemical risks