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Industry Lobbyists Poised to Lead EPA's Toxics Office
18 Oct
Summary
- Top 4 EPA toxics office positions to be held by ex-industry lobbyists
- Nominee Douglas Troutman lobbied to repeal chemical transparency law
- EPA officials accused of interfering in agency science for political reasons
As of October 18, 2025, the US Senate is poised to approve Donald Trump's nomination of industry lobbyist Douglas Troutman to lead the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) chemical safety office. If confirmed, Troutman will join three other former chemical industry lobbyists at the top of the EPA's toxics division.
Campaigners warn this will further empower industry and undermine public health and safety. Troutman, the current chief lobbyist for the American Cleaning Institute, has a history of opposing chemical transparency laws. In 2023, he sought to repeal California's Cleaning Product Right to Know Act, which required manufacturers to disclose ingredients.
Meanwhile, other senior EPA officials like Nancy Beck and Lynn Ann Dekleva have been accused of interfering in agency science for political reasons, weakening regulations on toxic substances like PFAS, asbestos, and lead. The new deputy overseeing pesticides, Kyle Kunkler, is also a former industry lobbyist.
Advocates say the "lunatics are running the asylum" as industry tightens its grip on chemical safety at the EPA. With the Trump administration's efforts to invalidate state-level chemical regulations, they argue that preserving state powers is now the "only hope" to protect consumers and workers.
