Public health advocacy groups have accused the Trump administration of filling the Environmental Protection Agency’s science advisory committee on chemicals with scientists they say are closely aligned with industry and have potential conflicts of interest. Critics argue this matters because the committee helps review the science behind federal decisions on toxic chemicals, and they fear its recommendations could be used to support a wider rollback of chemical safety protections. They say the appointments could undermine confidence that the EPA is relying on independent, impartial evidence.

The committee normally has 20 to 23 experts appointed every three years, but campaigners say the new line-up is unusually weighted towards industry interests. According to comments filed with the EPA, at least 13 proposed appointees may have conflicts involving chemicals due for review, including substances such as benzene, naphthalene and styrene. The article highlights Wade Barranco of Lyondell, whose company reportedly released nearly 1m pounds of chemicals likely to come before the panel in 2024, while critics also point to federal rules requiring the committee to be balanced and free from actual or perceived conflicts of interest.