Nancy Beck and Lynn Ann Dekleva, former officials who resisted stringent chemical regulations, are returning to key positions at the E.P.A., igniting debate regarding the impact of industry ties on chemical safety oversight.
Concerns Emerge as Former Chemical Industry Officials Rejoin E.P.A.
Concerns Emerge as Former Chemical Industry Officials Rejoin E.P.A.
Nancy Beck and Lynn Ann Dekleva, known for their previous roles in the chemical industry and regulatory pushbacks, are set to influence E.P.A. chemical policies, raising alarms over potential corporate interests in safety regulations.
A former executive from the chemical industry, who played a significant role in opposing regulatory measures during the first Trump administration, is reportedly returning to the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) to assume crucial responsibilities, as confirmed by sources close to the appointment. This has sparked apprehension regarding the potential corporate influence on regulations concerning chemical safety.
Nancy B. Beck, a toxicologist and ex-leader at the American Chemistry Council—a prominent trade group representing numerous chemical firms—is set to reacquaint herself with a policy oversight position at the E.P.A., akin to the one she held from 2017 to 2021. Specific details regarding her title and responsibilities remain unconfirmed. Under her previous tenure, Beck was recognized for spearheading a robust resistance against chemical regulation efforts, which included instances of reported political meddling in scientific assessments and policy formulation.
One notable change attributed to her influence was the revision of rules that complicated the evaluation of health impacts associated with “forever chemicals,” substances linked to severe health risks, including cancer. Additionally, Beck was involved in the scaling back of proposed bans on hazardous materials such as asbestos and methylene chloride, commonly found in paint thinners.
Alongside Beck, Lynn Ann Dekleva is also anticipated to resume her position overseeing new chemical approvals as deputy assistant administrator at the E.P.A. Dekleva brings over three decades of experience from DuPont and previously worked at the American Chemistry Council. This significant positioning of former industry insiders within a federal agency tasked with enforcing environmental regulations has raised voices among environmentalists and public health advocates, who fear that such appointments might compromise the agency's mission to ensure chemical safety for the public and the environment.
No comments have been issued by the E.P.A. or either of the returning officials regarding these appointments.
