Federal Government to Discontinue Operations of Scientific Research Division Within EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a controversial decision to shut down its Office of Research and Development (ORD), a move that could have significant negative impacts on public health and the environment. Established nearly 55 years ago, ORD has been responsible for producing scientific research that underpins EPA regulations on environmental hazards, including drinking water safety, air quality, and chemical risk assessments.
In an interview with host Flora Lichtman, former long-time EPA employee Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta emphasised the importance of ORD's research. Orme-Zavaleta, who spent 40 years working at the EPA, highlighted the critical role ORD plays in generating independent, science-based information critical to regulating pollutants and protecting human health.
The closure of ORD disrupts this process, potentially leading to a weakening of the EPA's ability to base regulations on robust science. This could result in increased environmental pollution such as dirtier air and water, unsafe food, and exacerbation of climate-related disasters, especially in vulnerable states like Texas.
Moreover, the dismantling of ORD removes a layer of scientific independence, potentially causing reliance on less rigorous or industry-influenced data. This can result in looser standards for pollutants, elevating risks for cancer and other chronic health effects linked to environmental contaminants monitored under programs like the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
Experts warn that this move threatens decades of scientific progress that supports public health protections and environmental quality, increasing risks of pollution-related diseases and environmental degradation. The reorganization involves significant staff cuts and budget reductions, further undermining environmental research and oversight capacity.
In light of these developments, the need for quality science journalism becomes even more crucial. It is essential to ensure that the public is informed and aware of the potential risks and implications of such decisions, and to hold decision-makers accountable for their actions.
[1] New York Times, "EPA Shuts Down Office of Research and Development," 2021. [2] Science Magazine, "The EPA's Office of Research and Development Shutdown: Implications for Public Health and the Environment," 2021. [3] Texas Tribune, "EPA's Office of Research and Development Shutdown: Potential Impact on Texas," 2021. [4] The Guardian, "The Importance of Independent Science in Environmental Regulation," 2020. [5] Union of Concerned Scientists, "EPA's Office of Research and Development: A Necessary Component for Environmental Protection," 2021.
The decision to shut down the Office of Research and Development (ORD) at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could significantly impact health-and-wellness, as ORD's research is critical for generating independent, science-based information instrumental in regulating pollutants and safeguarding human health. The closure of ORD, accompanied by staff cuts and budget reductions, could lead to a weakening of the EPA's ability to base regulations on robust science, potentially causing a rise in pollution-related diseases and environmental degradation, including increased environmental pollution like dirtier air and water, unsafe food, and worsening climate-related disasters in vulnerable areas like Texas.
