EPA Doesn’t Come Clean on Candidates

The EPA has not provided the public with all the facts when it comes to 55 experts chosen for a special panel that will reevaluate the health risks of particulate matter air pollution.

Last year the agency’s Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee criticized the EPA standard for particulate matter, stating there is “clear and convincing scientific evidence that significant adverse human-health effects occur in response to short-term and chronic particulate matter exposures at and below” the current EPA standard. The special panel being selected will reevaluate this statement for further recommendation.

The short list of experts is open for public comment, but apparently the EPA failed to post complete information on their website concerning several of the candidates. Without this information, the public is unable to make an informed decision. Here is some of the information in question according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest:

- Candidate Professor Robert Phalen: wrote a book questioning the link between particulate matter and its association with health problems such as asthma, heart disease and premature death. The book also argues that tighter air quality restrictions are premature. Professor Phalen has received research funding from the Southern California Edison Co. and the Electric Power Reasearch Institute.

- Candidate Peter Valberg: an employee of Gradient Corporation, conducts consulting services for Carbon Black Manufacturers and an unknown mining company. He has done work for the Engine Manufacturers Association. His employer, Gradient Corporation, is a defense product consulting company that has received monies for writing controversial reports defending such products as cigarettes.

- 11 candidates have an involvement with the Health Effects Institute (this was disclosed). But not mentioned was the fact that the Health Effects Institute receives 50 percent of its funding from the automobile industry.

Send your comments about the short list of candidates to butterfield.fred@epa.gov before July 20. The final committee will be composed of less than half of the nominated candidates.

See the Source:
Center for Science in the Public Interest

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