The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will reassign 130 scientists to its new chemicals review program in a sweeping reorganization designed to address a backlog of over 500 pending chemical applications, Administrator Lee Zeldin announced last week. The move comes as part of broader efforts to modernize the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP), incorporating advanced computational tools and artificial intelligence to enhance PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) testing.
New Technology to Bolster Chemical Safety Efforts
Zeldin emphasized that the restructuring will integrate cutting-edge bioinformatics and AI to better assess PFAS risks to human health and the environment. The EPA posted internal job openings for these roles on May 2, with a spokesperson encouraging existing agency staff to apply. “Adding this expertise ensures we leverage the best science and latest tools to advance our pesticides and chemical safety programs,” the spokesperson said. The reassigned employees, including approximately 25 senior-level scientists, will operate outside the standard federal pay scale to attract top talent.
Expanded Air and Water Program Divisions
As part of the overhaul, the EPA will establish the Office of State Air Partnerships under the Office of Air and Radiation, aiming to standardize air permitting processes across state, local, and tribal agencies. Additionally, the new Office of Clean Air Programs will align regulatory development with scientific expertise, while the Office of Applied Science and Environmental Solutions will centralize research to strengthen rulemaking. Critics, however, argue that these changes follow the Trump administration’s earlier dismantling of environmental justice initiatives, particularly in high-risk areas like the Gulf Coast’s “Cancer Alley.”
Debate Over Scientific Independence
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) condemned the restructuring, warning that relocating researchers from the Office of Research and Development (ORD) into policy-focused offices could compromise impartial science. “Independent research is crucial for safeguarding public health, and this move risks politicizing critical findings,” said Chitra Kumar, a former EPA environmental justice official now with UCS. Meanwhile, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) endorsed the changes, stating they would optimize taxpayer resources while strengthening chemical and pesticide regulation.
Cost-Cutting and Long-Term Impacts
Zeldin framed the reorganization as a cost-saving measure, projecting $350 million in annual savings by 2026, which would return the EPA to Reagan-era staffing levels. While proponents argue the changes will enhance efficiency, opponents fear diminished transparency and industry-friendly policymaking. The restructuring underscores ongoing tensions between regulatory streamlining and the preservation of independent scientific oversight at the agency.
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