"While most appointees are academic scientists, Administrator Lee Zeldin also named employees of a company that makes forever chemicals."
"Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin appointed four chemical industry representatives to the agency’s Science Advisory Board last week, including employees of pesticide companies and of a leading manufacturer of the forever chemicals that now contaminate U.S. farm soils, waterways, and food.
Members of the Science Advisory Board provide scientific advice to EPA leadership. For example, at a fall 2024 meeting, they shared feedback on an EPA draft toxicological review of arsenic and commented on the agency’s proposed approach to evaluating risks of exposure to multiple chemicals at once.
One of the new appointees, Jessica LaRocca, works for pesticide giant Corteva Agriscience, and another, Matthew LeBaron, for Dow Chemical Company, which spun off its pesticide business but still produces chemicals used in pesticide formulations. Two others, Shawn Gannon and Sean Uhl, work for Chemours, which makes products with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Zeldin also appointed Gary Minsavage, a representative from ExxonMobil’s biomedical division."
