‘The harm to children is irreparable’: Ruth Etzel speaks out ahead of EPA whistleblower hearing

The former EPA scientist is among five who have come forward alleging that the agency has become deeply corrupted

The US Environmental Protection Agency is failing to protect children by ignoring poisons in the environment and focusing on corporate interests, according to a top children's health official who will testify this week that the agency tried to silence her because of her insistence on stronger preventions against lead poisoning.

The people of the United States expect the EPA to protect the health of their children, but the EPA is more concerned with protecting the interests of polluting industries," said Ruth Etzel, former director of the EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection (OCHP). The harm being done to children is irreparable", she said.