The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), located in Washington, D.C., has been on a mission to regulate formaldehyde, a chemical linked to cancer and severe respiratory issues. However, the industry’s response, led by Lynn Dekleva, who was previously a lobbyist for the American Chemistry Council, has been surprisingly aggressive. Now serving as a senior official at the EPA, Dekleva manages an office responsible for approving new chemicals.
Formaldehyde is widely used in many products, including furniture and clothing, and has long been a concern for public health. In 2021, the EPA initiated steps to impose stricter regulations on the chemical, drawing a fierce backlash from the chemicals industry. Dekleva’s lobbying group, which previously fought these regulations, is now focused on reversing the agency's direction concerning formaldehyde and is advocating for a complete re-evaluation of the chemical's risks.
Furthermore, the American Chemistry Council is pressing for changes in the EPA’s approval processes for new chemicals, aiming to accelerate safety reviews—a process that falls directly under Dekleva's jurisdiction. Nancy Beck, another former lobbyist for the council, holds a position at the EPA focused on regulating existing chemicals alongside Dekleva.
This significant shift in personnel and the influence of former industry lobbyists at the EPA raises questions about the agency's commitment to public health, with industry leaders asserting that a strong chemical sector is vital for a robust economy. Chris Jahn, the council's president, voiced this sentiment at a Senate hearing shortly after the Trump administration began, indicating the industry's goal of dismantling what it sees as "unnecessary regulations."
Formaldehyde is widely used in many products, including furniture and clothing, and has long been a concern for public health. In 2021, the EPA initiated steps to impose stricter regulations on the chemical, drawing a fierce backlash from the chemicals industry. Dekleva’s lobbying group, which previously fought these regulations, is now focused on reversing the agency's direction concerning formaldehyde and is advocating for a complete re-evaluation of the chemical's risks.
Furthermore, the American Chemistry Council is pressing for changes in the EPA’s approval processes for new chemicals, aiming to accelerate safety reviews—a process that falls directly under Dekleva's jurisdiction. Nancy Beck, another former lobbyist for the council, holds a position at the EPA focused on regulating existing chemicals alongside Dekleva.
This significant shift in personnel and the influence of former industry lobbyists at the EPA raises questions about the agency's commitment to public health, with industry leaders asserting that a strong chemical sector is vital for a robust economy. Chris Jahn, the council's president, voiced this sentiment at a Senate hearing shortly after the Trump administration began, indicating the industry's goal of dismantling what it sees as "unnecessary regulations."
