Is the EPA hiding something? Shocking misconduct is uncovered in PFAS testing of pesticides! Join investigative journalist William McCarthy as he delves into the controversial topic, shedding light on potential secrecy within the EPA.
Claims Against the EPA Surface
Documents obtained from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that the agency may have presented false information regarding the testing of harmful contaminants in pesticides. These revelations were brought forward by a watchdog group and a former EPA research fellow.
The allegations come nearly a year after the EPA issued a press release in May 2023, asserting that the agency had found no per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in samples of certain insecticide products. This statement contradicted a previous study by the former EPA researcher, which reported the presence of PFAS in the same pesticide products.
The Importance of Accurate PFAS Testing
PFAS contamination is a critical issue in environmental and public health domains because certain types of PFAS are hazardous to human health. Governments and public health advocates worldwide are aiming to limit exposure to these chemicals. Accurate testing is therefore crucial for regulating PFAS exposure, making transparency in EPA testing an urgent matter.
Watchdog Group Unveils Discrepancies
The allegations against the EPA were made public by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (Peer), led by former EPA employees. The group obtained pesticide product testing data from the EPA via a Freedom of Information Act (Foia) request. The documents revealed that the agency had indeed found PFAS in the tested products, contradicting its earlier public statements.
“It’s pretty outrageous,” said the Peer director of scientific policy, Kyla Bennett. “You don’t get to just ignore the stuff that doesn’t support your hypothesis. That is not science. That is corruption. I can only think that they were getting pressure from pesticide companies.”
A Study That Raised Questions
Steven Lasee, an environmental toxicologist and former EPA research fellow, authored the study that the EPA had challenged. Lasee’s 2022 study reported finding dangerous levels of PFAS in several pesticide products. Despite his efforts to reproduce the results, initial doubts about his methodology led to an attempted retraction of his paper.
Retraction Sought by Peer
In response to these discrepancies, Peer submitted a letter to the EPA demanding a correction of the public statement and a retraction of the agency’s research memo. Peer alleges that the EPA engaged in “egregious” misconduct and breached accepted scientific and ethical practices.
The agency “provided misinformation to a national audience and intentionally damaged Dr. Lasee,” the Peer complaint alleges.
EPA’s Questionable Internal Documents
Further concerns were raised when internal EPA documents, obtained via the Foia request, showed that the agency had conducted four tests on pesticide samples, but disclosed the results of only two. One of the concealed tests detected evidence of PFAS, raising suspicions about the agency’s integrity.
What It Means for Public Health
The presence of PFAS in pesticides represents an alarming regulatory failure by the EPA. These chemicals have been linked to serious health issues including cancer, immune system damage, and developmental problems in children.
- PFAS are used in a variety of industries like electronics, oil recovery, and non-stick cookware
- Some PFAS have been associated with severe health issues
- Accurate and transparent testing is essential for public safety
In light of the new evidence, Dr. Steven Lasee now questions the credibility of the EPA itself, asserting that, “When you cherrypick data, you can make it say whatever you want it to say.”