Former Chemical Lobbyist Now Oversees EPA's Chemical Approvals

Lynn Dekleva, formerly a lobbyist representing the chemical industry, now heads a key office at the EPA responsible for approving new chemicals. Her past involvement suggests a potential conflict in the agency’s commitment to public health, particularly regarding the controversial chemical formaldehyde.

In a remarkable twist of fate, Lynn Dekleva has transitioned from being a prominent lobbyist against chemical regulations to a senior position at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she oversees the approval of new chemicals. Specifically, Dekleva previously led efforts to resist regulatory measures targeting formaldehyde, a substance commonly used in construction and textiles but known for its carcinogenic properties and health risks.

This shift in Dekleva’s career is particularly alarming given her recent history with the American Chemistry Council, where she campaigned vigorously against the EPA's regulatory push on formaldehyde, initiated in 2021. Her prior role there involved significant lobbying efforts aimed at countering the EPA’s initiatives intended to limit exposure to this hazardous chemical.

Joining the EPA during the first Trump administration, Dekleva brings with her over three decades of experience at the chemical manufacturing giant DuPont. Now at the helm of an office pivotal in evaluating new chemicals, there are growing worries regarding the objectivity of the agency's risk assessments, especially concerning formaldehyde.

Additionally, other former contributors to the American Chemistry Council, like Nancy Beck, are also back at the EPA, contributing to regulatory frameworks. The Council, under the stewardship of its president, Chris Jahn, has explicitly stated intentions to roll back what they consider "unnecessary regulations," claiming a healthy and prosperous nation depends on the advancement of chemical use and innovations.

As regulatory dynamics at the EPA shift with the influence of such lobbyists, the implications for public health and safety, particularly regarding hazardous materials, remain a topic of intense scrutiny and debate.