A Trump administration toxicologist who relaxed rules on dangerous chemicals linked to serious human health problems has generated bipartisan opposition to her nomination to lead the nation’s consumer safety agency. As a top deputy in the Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical safety unit, Beck sought to weaken regulation of potentially toxic chemicals, including PFAS. Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who is facing a difficult reelection race, said she would vote against Beck’s nomination if it reached the Senate floor. They have said that Beck’s background in the chemical industry raises serious questions about whether she could fairly regulate it. But Beck had already moved on, her efforts having secured years of delayed regulations for the chemical industry.

Source: Los Angeles Times June 26, 2020 16:13 UTC