Trump appointees interfered to weaken EPA assessment of toxic chemical

Watchdog finds PFBS toxicity value was altered in 2021 report, as scientists say episode part of larger rot at the agency'

Trump administration appointees at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) meddled in agency science to weaken the toxicity assessment of a dangerous chemical, a new report by the US body's internal watchdog has found.

In response to what it labeled political interference", the Biden administration in February 2021 pulled the assessment, republished it months later using what it said is sound science, and declared it had resolved the issue.