Three U.S. Environmental Protection Agency scientists who resisted management pressure to downplay the dangers of new chemicals were retaliated against, according to an inspector general's report.
Sharon Lerner reports for ProPublica.
In short:
- The EPA’s inspector general found three scientists were unfairly punished after refusing to hide chemical harms, including links to cancer and miscarriages.
- Supervisors attacked the scientists and reassigned them within the EPA’s new chemicals division, calling them “stupid” and “pot-stirrers.”
- The agency is now reviewing whether further action is needed, with whistleblower protection and scientific integrity training underway.
Key quote:
“These whistleblowers have been beaten down, ostracized and punished, when all they were trying to do was to protect us.”
— Kyla Bennett, director of science policy at Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
Why this matters:
The incident highlights the risk of political or industry pressure undermining scientific integrity at the EPA, which could lead to less effective regulation of potentially harmful chemicals. Protecting whistleblowers is crucial to ensuring transparency and safeguarding public health.
