Chemical safety nominee faces tough questioning by Democrats

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

President Donald Trump’s nominee to oversee chemical safety at the Environmental Protection Agency promised Wednesday to apply sound science in his new job and defended his history on behalf of corporate clients of endorsing far higher exposures to toxins than the government now allows.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee was widely expected to approve along party lines the nomination of Michael L. Dourson to become head of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

Democrats on the committee, lacking the ability to block Dourson’s confirmation, challenged Dourson with open scorn at a hearing.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., said, “You’re advocating for levels that will poison people.” Booker likened Dourson to a Disney villain.

Dourson largely did not respond to criticisms by Democrats. Asked whether he would recuse himself from decisions regarding chemicals made by companies that paid him to evaluate their safety, Dourson repeatedly declined to make such a pledge.

“I’m going to rely on guidance from EPA ethics officials,” Dourson said.