Trump Wants To Ease Regulations On What?
The Trump administration is considering revisions to the regulations governing the safety assessments of existing chemicals, sparking concern from those who advocate for stricter public health protections. On Monday, the administration made it clear that it was weighing changes to the rules that dictate how chemicals are screened for safety and whether they should be restricted or banned.
If these changes move forward, they could ultimately limit the imposition of new regulations on chemicals. Lee Zeldin, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), argued that the proposed changes would strike a balance between ensuring safety and maintaining efficiency.
“Today’s announcement marks an important step in creating a pathway for more efficient chemical reviews while continuing our dedication to protecting public health and the environment,” Zeldin said.
Critics, however, argue that these changes could result in fewer safeguards against harmful chemicals. Betsy Southerland, a former senior EPA official, expressed concern that the revisions would reduce protections and put public health at risk.
Among the possible adjustments being considered by the EPA is the assumption that all workers handling chemicals would be equipped with personal protective gear, which could raise the threshold for classifying a chemical as dangerous. Additionally, the agency is contemplating narrowing the scope of its safety reviews, possibly only assessing the most common uses of a chemical rather than all potential exposures.
Southerland warned that such changes could significantly weaken oversight. “This would drastically reduce the regulation of toxic chemicals,” she said. “They are setting unrealistic assumptions that would leave dangerous chemicals unchecked and expose Americans to unnecessary risks.”
These changes come as President Trump continues his commitment to reforming environmental and chemical safety policies, with his recent address to Congress reiterating his promise to eliminate harmful toxins from the environment. Meanwhile, his administration is signaling further steps to relax safety standards at chemical plants, with industry veterans now in key positions at the EPA.
