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| Trump's pick for chemical safety chief called 'voice of the chemical industry' | Trump's pick for chemical safety chief called 'voice of the chemical industry' |
| (11 days later) | |
| Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee chemical safety at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faces questions over his history as a close ally to the chemical industry and suitability to be its chief regulator. | Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee chemical safety at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faces questions over his history as a close ally to the chemical industry and suitability to be its chief regulator. |
| Michael Dourson, the nominee, founded a consultation group in 1995, the Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, a private evaluation nonprofit organization that tests chemicals and produces reports on which chemicals are hazardous in what quantities. | Michael Dourson, the nominee, founded a consultation group in 1995, the Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, a private evaluation nonprofit organization that tests chemicals and produces reports on which chemicals are hazardous in what quantities. |
| Through the consultancy he accepted payments for criticizing studies that raised concerns about the safety of his clients’ products, according to a review of financial records and his published work by the Associated Press. | Through the consultancy he accepted payments for criticizing studies that raised concerns about the safety of his clients’ products, according to a review of financial records and his published work by the Associated Press. |
| His nomination as head of the EPA’s office of chemical safety and pollution prevention had been due to be considered by a Senate committee on Wednesday, but this was postponed when the Senate adjourned early for the week. | His nomination as head of the EPA’s office of chemical safety and pollution prevention had been due to be considered by a Senate committee on Wednesday, but this was postponed when the Senate adjourned early for the week. |
| Past corporate clients of Dourson and of a research group he ran include Dow Chemical, Koch Industries and Chevron. His research has also been underwritten by industry trade and lobbying groups representing the makers of plastics, pesticides, processed foods and cigarettes. | Past corporate clients of Dourson and of a research group he ran include Dow Chemical, Koch Industries and Chevron. His research has also been underwritten by industry trade and lobbying groups representing the makers of plastics, pesticides, processed foods and cigarettes. |
| Dourson’s views toward industry are consistent with others Trump has selected as top federal regulators. Among them is the EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, who in March overruled the findings of his agency’s own scientists to reverse an effort to ban chlorpyrifos, one of the nation’s most widely used pesticides. | Dourson’s views toward industry are consistent with others Trump has selected as top federal regulators. Among them is the EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, who in March overruled the findings of his agency’s own scientists to reverse an effort to ban chlorpyrifos, one of the nation’s most widely used pesticides. |
| Dourson did not immediately respond Tuesday to emails or phone messages from the Associated Press seeking comment. | Dourson did not immediately respond Tuesday to emails or phone messages from the Associated Press seeking comment. |
| Sheldon Krimsky, a Tufts University professor who studies ethics in science and medicine, said appointing Dourson to oversee EPA’s chemical safety programs was part of a broader effort to undermine federal regulations protecting public health. | Sheldon Krimsky, a Tufts University professor who studies ethics in science and medicine, said appointing Dourson to oversee EPA’s chemical safety programs was part of a broader effort to undermine federal regulations protecting public health. |
| “It is not even subtle,” said Krimsky, who reviewed Dourson’s recent published work. “He has chosen to be the voice of the chemical industry. His role as a scientist is simply the role of an industry-hired lawyer – only to give the best case for their client.” | “It is not even subtle,” said Krimsky, who reviewed Dourson’s recent published work. “He has chosen to be the voice of the chemical industry. His role as a scientist is simply the role of an industry-hired lawyer – only to give the best case for their client.” |
| The American Chemistry Council, however, said Dourson would make an excellent addition at EPA. “His knowledge, experience and leadership will strengthen EPA’s processes for evaluating and incorporating high-quality science into regulatory decision-making,” said Jon Corley, the group’s spokesman. | The American Chemistry Council, however, said Dourson would make an excellent addition at EPA. “His knowledge, experience and leadership will strengthen EPA’s processes for evaluating and incorporating high-quality science into regulatory decision-making,” said Jon Corley, the group’s spokesman. |
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