Industry-Aligned Scientists Appointed to EPA’s Chemical Safety Advisory Board

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) is set to receive at least 13 new members appointed by the Trump administration who, according to a coalition of public-health advocacy groups, have direct financial ties to companies that manufacture or release the toxic chemicals the committee will review. The appointees include Wade Barranco of Lyondell Chemical Company and Michael Dourson, founder of the industry-funded Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment (Tera). The SACC, a 20-23-member panel that peer-reviews EPA science, is slated to evaluate substances such as acetaldehyde, benzene, styrene, naphthalene and tetrabromobisphenol A during the new members’ terms.

The Guardian

The coalition examined EPA chemical-data reporting and the Toxic Release Inventory to link proposed SACC members with firms that produce the chemicals slated for review. Their analysis found that many nominees stand to profit from favorable risk assessments. Michael Dourson previously led an effort in 2024 to overturn Biden-era PFAS water limits and was withdrawn from a 2017 Trump nomination after Senate concerns about “science for sale.” The board will be chaired by Robinan Gentry, a consultant for Ramboll, a firm known for opposing chemical regulations.

The Guardian

The EPA responded that prior industry, academic or nonprofit work “is not, under federal law, a conflict of interest, and does not disqualify them from serving as Special Government Employees.” The agency argued that such experience may constitute “general scientific expertise” rather than a prohibited conflict. The public-health coalition contended that the disclosed ties are “sufficient to find that actual or potential conflicts of interest or an appearance of a loss of impartiality.”

The Guardian

Environmental groups argue the appointments will undermine independent scientific review. Erik D Olson of the Natural Resources Defense Council likened the situation to “the fox … owning the hen house.” Former EPA scientist Kyla Bennett warned the board could “rubber-stamp everything” and “give them cover for bad science.” Sarah Vogel of the Environmental Defense Fund called Dourson’s appointment “the definition of a conflict of interest.”

The Guardian

• “They are mouthpieces for the chemical industry, or consulting firms bought and paid for by the chemical companies,” — Erik D Olson, senior strategic director for health, Natural Resources Defense Council

The Guardian

• “It will give them cover for bad science,” — Kyla Bennett, former EPA scientist, Public Employees for Responsibility

The Guardian

• “The mere fact that a scientist has previously worked in industry, academia, or for a nonprofit organization is not, under federal law, a conflict of interest, and does not disqualify them from serving as Special Government Employees,” — EPA statement

The Guardian