![Watchdog finds Trump officials pushed to weaken toxic ‘forever’ chemical report](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/03/21/23/Trump_Wrestling_19240.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)
Watchdog finds Trump officials pushed to weaken toxic ‘forever’ chemical report
The IndependentSign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “These changes included replacing single toxicity values with unprecedented toxicity ranges.” This meant that companies’ cleaning up PFBS contamination could have selected less stringent standards for the job “which may have been less costly but also less protective of human health”, the report stated. The report added: “While EPA staff expressed scientific integrity concerns about the last-minute review and risks to public health, the EPA lacked policies and procedures to address these concerns. “Without updates to policies and procedures, the Agency cannot fulfill its commitment to scientific integrity and information quality.” The OIG report recommended that EPA clarify if, and when, comments expressing scientific disagreement can be expressed, and make clear if and when toxicity ranges are acceptable. The report also said that the OIG should be used as a “resource for high-profile scientific integrity concerns that relate to political interference or that assert risk to human health or the environment”.
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