Scientific Integrity Policy
Date: July 26, 2022
Environmental Protection Agency Activity
EPA Must Remove PFAS from Plastic Containers
New Analysis Demonstrates Health Risks to Millions of Americans Using Plastic Containers
STATEMENT | DOJ Falls Short on Protecting the Public from Unsafe Exposure to PFAS Chemicals
In their request for a declaratory judgement against Inhance, the DOJ failed to seek an injunction to stop ...
Pressure Mounts on EPA to Curb Bee-Killing Pesticides
New Reports and Findings Strip Away Agency’s Leeway for Further Evasion
COMMENTARY | EPA’s Whack-a-Mole “Forever Chemicals” Posture Is an Intolerable Failure
The agency must treat PFAS as a class of chemicals regulated in the same manner as the European Union and other ...
PEERMail | Pesticide Problems Grow
Pesticides have devastating effects on wildlife, human health, and many rural economies
High Levels of Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’ Found in California’s Most-Used Insecticide
40% of Tested Agricultural Pesticide Products Contain PFAS
EPA Needs a Transparent Public Process for Inhance PFAS SNUNS
Unclear comment and review deadlines, heavy redactions, and disorganized files are blocking meaningful comments on ...
Gold Mine Expansion OK Shows Broken Air Permit Process
Colorado Refuses to Fix Major Underlying Flaws in Approving New Permit
PFAS Fluorinated Container Citizens’ Suit Dismissed Without Prejudice
Groups Plan Intervention in EPA Lawsuit Against Inhance Technologies
Hunters Point Festering Radiation Waste Woes
Navy Statements Mask Seriousness of Remaining Parcel G Contamination
Waste Incinerators’ Toxic Output Should Be Reported
Incinerator Chemical Releases Not Included in EPA Toxics Release Inventory
COMMENTARY | Letter to the EPA: Take Action on “Devil’s Bargain” Pesticides
The environment needs protection from neonic-coated seeds, which are by far the broadest pesticide/insecticide ...
Organizations Push to Get PFAS out of Plastic Containers
EPA must ban fluorination process that creates PFAS in plastics
COMMENTARY | The EPA is Hiding Behind Industry Secrets
This Sunshine Week, we discuss the use of “Confidential Business Information” to hide health and safety ...
STATEMENT | EPA’s Action on PFAS in Drinking Water
EPA’s chemical-by-chemical approach leaves the public unprotected from the vast majority of toxic but unregulated PFAS.
PEERMail | Reversing a Shocking Pesticides Decision
Because the overuse of pesticides is a significant cause of pollinator collapse, we are in this battle for the long term.
Scientific Basis for EPA’s Definition of PFAS Still Missing
Europe and Canada Embrace Inclusive PFAS Definitions While U.S. Dithers
Broadly Supported Petition Urges EPA Reforms for Bee and Bird-Killing Pesticides
Neonicotinoid insecticides targeted for wreaking eco-havoc despite lack of economic benefits
COMMENTARY | EPA Asks for Comment on PFAS Data It Won’t Release
EPA is asking the public to comment on fluorination of plastics but keeping important materials, including health ...
National Park Fossils May Block Big Transmission Line
Tule Springs Paleo Survey Results Complicate Controversial Greenlink Route
Groups Call on EPA to Ban Plastic Fluorination that Creates PFAS
EPA Must Release Withheld Health and Safety Studies
PFAS in Plastic Containers Should Not Be Confidential
Groups Urge EPA to Inform the Public of the Presence of Unsafe PFAS in Fluorinated Containers
PEERMail | We Are Suing to Prevent Further PFAS Contamination
Handling or using fluorinated containers could be a significant pathway for unsafe human exposure to PFOA and other PFAS.
Tens of Millions of Plastic Containers Treated with Fluorine Gas Leach Toxic PFAS Chemicals into Art and Cleaning Supplies, Food, and Other Household Products
Nonprofit Organizations File Suit Against Inhance Technologies to Stop Violations of U.S. EPA Regulations
EPA Cannot Retrieve Text Message Content
New “Deprovisioning Process” for Employees to “Wipe” Mobile Devices
EPA Scientific Integrity Program Lacks Integrity
Unable to Document Claimed Successes; Complaints Pending Since 2015
COMMENTARY | Why This Mining Permit Should Fail
Should an agency's misbehavior invalidate their decisions? When it comes to mining permits in Minnesota, PEER thinks so.
Letter to EPA Region 8 – Next Steps on Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment – 11-11-2022 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Letter to EPA Region 8 Administrator KC Becker requesting meeting on Colorado Department of Public ...
Substantial PFAS Contamination Found in Pesticides in Colorado
Threat to Food Chain Justifies Colorado Ban of All Pesticides Containing PFAS
Colorado Balks at EPA Ozone Reducing Recommendations
State Resists Reforms Identified by Whistleblowers and Confirmed by EPA
COMMENTARY | EPA Continues to Exempt the Most Widespread Bee- and Bird-Killing Insecticides
EPA continues to fail to regulate bee and bird killing pesticides, particularly those used to coat crop seeds.
Fumigant Decision Shows EPA Science at Its Worst
EPA Doubles Down on Mistakes Despite Whistleblower and IG Critiques
Boeing’s Weak Santa Susana Cleanup Triggers Lawsuit
Sweetheart Deal Negotiated Behind Closed Doors Violates CEQA Mandates
EPA Says Hunters Point Will Never Be Fully Cleaned
EPA Plans to Ignore Prop P Mandate and Its Own Superfund Standards
PEERMail | Shocking News on Pesticides
PEER is urgently asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ban the use of PFAS in pesticides
COMMENTARY | “Climate Smart” Agriculture Requires Better Environmental Assessments
USDA should skip playing the markets and allow for greater public input as it develops its climate programs
Substantial PFAS Contamination Found in Pesticides
Threat to Food Chain Justifies Ban of All Pesticides Containing PFAS
PEERMail | Save the EPA
On September 20, 2022, thousands of people from around the country will take part in a rally outside of the EPA ...
Food Supply Chain Imperiled by PFAS-Laden Barrels
EPA Confirms PFAS in Fluorinated Containers Leach into Contents
COMMENTARY | The Worst Kind of Backroom Deal
It is time to work to stop the Manchin-Schumer side deal to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
EPA’s Belated PFAS Pesticide Ingredient Ban Does Little
Banning a Dozen Inert Ingredients Does Not Stem PFAS Agricultural Spread
STATEMENT | EPA’s PFOA and PFOS Hazardous Substances Designation Under CERCLA Proposal
Today's actions by the EPA do nothing to stem the tide of future Superfund sites caused by toxic PFAS contamination
COMMENTARY | PFAS Contamination Study Yields Frightening Results
Environmental contamination of PFAS has exceeded a new planetary boundary or environmental limits within which ...
EPA Routinely Ignores Chemical Risk Calculations
Workers imperiled by failures to flag serious known hazards.
EPA Corrupted Pesticide Risk Assessment to Aid Industry
IG Found Managers Trampled Standard Procedures to Diminish Cancer Risk
COMMENTARY | Environmental Whistleblowers and the Need for Change at EPA
Environmental whistleblowers may not grab the nation's attention but they are vital to creating meaningful ...
EPA Flunks PFAS Chemistry Test
New Advisories Ignore Precursors That Transform into Most Toxic Fluorinated Chemicals
EPA Takes First Baby Steps on PFAS
Nonregulatory Health Advisories on Just Four of Thousands of PFAS
Gaping Hole in Biden PFAS Strategy
Documents Show EPA Has No Consistent Definition of PFAS
COMMENTARY | New Mexico Dairy Farmers’ Toxic Fight
A new Mexico Dairy farmer who lost his entire herd to PFAS contamination is yet another tragic example of the ...
Public Comment on Polymet Mine Permit – Fond du Lac Band’s Objection – 06-16-2022 (PDF)
PEER’s comment to the Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Fond du Lac Band’s Objection to the Proposed Clean ...
COMMENTARY | Fighting Government Secrecy
Government agencies are coming up short in their stewardship of environmental information, and that is having real ...
Letter to EPA and Colorado DPHE- Review of Civil Rights Compliance – 05-09-2022 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: PEER letter on state of Colorado’s air permitting program with regard to EPA’s nondiscrimination ...
COMMENTARY | EPA’s Myth of Scientific Integrity
The EPA keeps paying lip service to scientific integrity but reality, and the experiences of scientists at EPA, is ...
PEERMail | Getting a Grip on Toxic Chemicals
As thousands of communities throughout the country find their water and food contaminated on with PFAS, the ...
EPA Sued Over Failure to Explain Its Narrow PFAS Definition
EPA’s Definition Misses Many Toxic and Persistent Chemicals
Letter to Sec. Deb Haaland – NODAP at Dept of Interior – 04-19-2022 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: PEER letter to Secretary Deb Haaland on Interior's continued use of the harsh personnel policy known ...
EPA Scientist Survey Yields Horrific Results
Scientist Feedback Scathing, Not Shared with Staff
Lack of Scientists Dooms EPA Chemical Reviews
Crippling Staff Shortage in Chemical Safety Work Continues in 2022 Budget
COMMENTARY | EPA Sets Low Bar on Chemical Safety – And Trips Over It
EPA staff are under pressure, and often retaliated against, to remove chemical hazard information and to keep ...
“Garden Pathway” Needed for Toxic Cleanups
Safe Fruit & Vegetable Cultivation Should Be EPA Remediation Yardstick
COMMENTARY | EPA Releases PFAS Contamination Information
After PEER FOIAs and a lawsuit, EPA releases a trove of information on PFAS contamination throughout the United ...
“Forever Chemical” Disposal Becoming Eco-Nightmare
EPA Data Depict Vast Uncontrolled and Spreading Web of PFAS Waste
COMMENTARY | Startling New EPA Data on PFAS Waste Disposal
Recently obtained data from EPA documents what is likely only a small fraction of the generation and disposal of ...
EPA Belatedly Posts Industry Chemical Safety Warnings
PEER Suit Prompts EPA to Unearth Over 1,300 Industry Chem Substantial Risk Reports
EPA’s Lax Methane Stance Decried
EPA’s 100-Year Standard for Methane Minimizes Climate Change Impact
Pollution Prosecution Plunge Continues under Biden
EPA Criminal Referrals, Prosecutions, and Convictions Not Rebounding
Implementation of the Minor Source Permitting Program in Colorado – 01-05-2022 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Presentation on the Implementation of the Minor Source Permitting Program in Colorado from 2010 - ...
EPA Tunes Out Industry’s Chemical Safety Alarms
Lawsuit to Excavate 1,200+ Buried Industry Chemical Hazard Reports
Expertise Gaps Plague EPA Chemical Assessments
EPA Lacks Plan to Fill or Retain Critical Scientific Specialist Positions
EPA Hid Cancer Danger of “Green” Chemical It Promotes
Auto Workers and Consumers Exposed without Any Health Warnings
EPA Sued Over Refusal to Regulate Corrosive 9/11 Dust
Suit Seeks Redress for 9/11 First Responders Suffering Respiratory Injuries
COMMENTARY | Curing EPA’s Culture of Corruption
Instead of wasting resources to stamp out dissent, EPA needs to clean up corruption in its management chain.
COMMENTARY | To Regulate “Super Greenhouse Gases” Congress Must Act
Congressional action is needed reduce the use of Sulfur Hexafluoride, the most potent “super greenhouse gas” known ...
Letter to Charles Sams – NPS Voices Survey – 11-15-2021 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Letter to regarding the NPS Voices listening tour and report identifying culture of employee ...
COMMENTARY | Is EPA Playing with Funny Numbers in its Methane Proposal?
The EPA is undervaluing the short term Global Warming Potential of methane gas in its most recent regulation proposal.
EPA Employees Pan State of Scientific Integrity
Many in New Survey Report Misconduct, Retaliation, and Feelings of Futility
PEERMail | Reversing EPA’s Pesticide Failures
EPA needs good scientists who want to work in environments where they feel supported and respected, even in the ...
Letter to House Subcommittee – Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act – 10-26-2021 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Implementation of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act
TO: House Energy ...
EPA’s Pesticides Office Labeled as a Failure
Groups Push Array of Immediate Reforms
EPA’s PFAS Action Plan A Dud
Response Too Weak and Limited to Protect Public Health
PEERMail | From PFAS to Climate Change: Are we Moving Forward Yet?
While we have many reasons to be optimistic, the Biden Administration's environmental actions so far are falling short.
California May Have Second Most PFAS Sites of Any State
EPA Identifies 120,000 Potential PFAS Sites in U.S. – Far More Than Ever
EPA Identifies More Than 120,000 Potential PFAS Sites in U.S.
Limited Reporting and Growing Corporate Secrecy Blur Clearer Picture
Colorado May Have the Most PFAS Sites of Any State
EPA Identifies Around 120,000 Potential PFAS Sites in U.S. – Far More Than Ever
Revealed | EPA Data on potential PFAS Sites
The scale of potential PFAS problems is several times larger than previously understood - more than 120,000 ...
COMMENTARY | EPA Needs to Change Methane Rules
EPA now needs to update its rules for methane – and ground those rules in the 20-year outlook that the latest ...
EPA Science Integrity Program Is Beacon of False Hope
No Findings of Political Interference under Trump; Most Complaints Ignored
Webinar | Hair on Fire and Yes Packages!
Second in a series of webinars that examines how risk assessments for new chemicals have been improperly altered ...
Colorado AG Probe Confirms Air Pollution Failures
Pollution Permits Improperly Issued; Managers Took “Unjustified” Actions
PEERMail | Another Litmus Test for EPA
After years of EPA retaliation against employees, the Etzel case is shaping up to be a litmus test for the new EPA ...
Letter to David S. Ferriero – Records Act Violations – 08-26-2021 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Letter to David S. Ferriero regarding Federal Records Act Violations by the EPA
TO: David S. ...
EPA Illegally Destroying Internal Records
Assessments and Comments Routinely Overwritten, Obliterating Drafts
COMMENTARY | EPA’s Toxic Culture: Oversight Update
There have been several positive developments in PEER’s efforts to expose the corrupt culture within EPA’s new ...
PEERMail | EPA Corruption: New Revelations
EPA whistleblowers reveal a culture where scientific fraud and harassment are committed to serve the chemical industry.
EPA Scientists Should be Able to Consult with Colleagues
Bans on Internal Communication Undercut Scientific Quality and Integrity
Letter to Dr. Michal Freedhoff – Chemicals Division -08-10-2021 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Letter to Dr. Michal Freedhoff regarding the hardships in the New Chemicals Division at the EPA
TO: ...
EPA Chemical Reviews Corrupted by Industry Influence
Zero Chemicals Disapproved in Thoroughly Broken Risk Assessment Process
Letter to Representative DeGette – 08-03-2021 (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Letter to Representative DeGette regarding the chemical industry’s influence over EPA’s ...
PEERMail | Whistleblowers Making a Difference
On Whistleblower Appreciation Day, we honor those who stand up for strong environmental protections and work for ...
