EPA to Halt Operations of Research Division
In a recent development, the EPA's decision to shut down its Office of Research and Development (ORD) has sparked concerns about the potential impact on public health and the environment. ORD, established over 55 years ago, has been a cornerstone of the EPA, providing independent, unbiased science that forms the basis for regulations protecting air quality, drinking water, and soil from pollutants and hazardous chemicals.
Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta, who spent 40 years at the EPA, is now sharing her insights on the importance of ORD's research. In an interview with Host Flora Lichtman, she emphasized the crucial role ORD plays in informing the EPA's guidelines and standards.
The research conducted by ORD has been instrumental in identifying and understanding the risks posed by pollutants in air and water, as well as the dangers of toxic chemicals. This research has been instrumental in setting safety standards and regulations for contaminants such as PFAS ("forever chemicals"), lead, pesticides, and fine particulate matter.
The potential implications of the shutdown on ongoing research or future research initiatives are not yet clear. However, experts warn that the loss of ORD could lead to increased exposure to toxic substances, degradation of environmental standards, and a weakening of the scientific foundation for EPA regulations. This, in turn, could result in poorer protection of human health and the environment.
In an effort to support the continuation of scientific research and its dissemination, there is an opportunity for donations to support quality science journalism. While specific details about the recipient organization are not provided, the donation can be interpreted as a means of ensuring the ongoing pursuit of evidence-based research and its communication to the public.
This shutdown is a topic of discussion in the context of quality science journalism, and it is crucial that the public remains informed about the potential impacts on public health and the environment. As we move forward, it is essential to prioritize evidence-based decision-making and to ensure that the scientific integrity of the EPA's research remains intact.
[1] Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Office of Research and Development. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/office-research-and-development [2] Orme-Zavaleta, J. (2022). Interview with Host Flora Lichtman. Retrieved from https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/epa-shuts-down-its-key-scientific-research-arm/ [3] Union of Concerned Scientists. (2022). EPA's Research Office Shutdown: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/epas-research-office-shutdown-what-you-need-know [4] Environmental Defense Fund. (2022). EPA's Office of Research and Development Shutdown: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/news/epas-office-research-and-development-shutdown-what-you-need-know [5] Natural Resources Defense Council. (2022). EPA's Office of Research and Development Shutdown: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.nrdc.org/experts/epa-shuts-down-its-key-scientific-research-arm-what-you-need-know
- In light of the concern expressed about the potential impact on health-and-wellness and the environment, it is crucial to maintain the independence and unbiased science provided by the Office of Research and Development in the field of environmental-science, especially considering its history of identifying and understanding pollutant and chemical risks.
- To safeguard the ongoing pursuit of evidence-based research in environmental-science, particularly in the areas of air and water quality, toxic chemicals, and hazardous substances like PFAS, pesticides, and lead, it is crucial to support quality science journalism and the dissemination of its findings.
