Thread by @EricLiptonNYT

A NYT special investigation: the war within the E.P.A. over toxic chemicals and safety nytimes.com/2017/10/21/us/…

This is a story, in a way, more than a decade in the making. As I discovered battle underway now at EPA emerged first during George W. Bush.

What was so fascinating, I discovered, 2 toxic chemical experts who faced off during Bush, faced off again in Trump EPA. Beck & Hamnett

Nancy Beck went from the American Chemistry Council (industry group) to a job at EPA. And soon she started to call the shots. See this

This story is built on interviews w more than 2 dozen current/former EPA & White House officials. FOIA documents. Confidential internal docs

This document in particular is crucial. The EPA General Counsel office questions legality of changes agency made at Nancy Beck's insistence.

Here's what happened. Congress passes new toxic chem law. EPA devises actual rules. Pruitt arrives. His ex-industry appointee rewrites rules

Office Gen Counsel isnt only that objects. Water Pollution Office objects too, re changes made by Beck, ex-Chemistry Council executive

So too does EPA OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT. So Gen Council, Water Pollution,Enforcement each raising objections to industry friendly changes Wow.

And here is another fact. Staff were told they could not issue "non concurrence" memos. They had to concur with objections. So they did

So what is at stake? There hundreds chemicals in use today that the EPA just does now know how dangerous they are. Just now reviewing them

Some of these chemicals like methylene chloride r literally killing people & for sale at Home Depot.
gofundme.com/kevin-hartley-…

At its core, a story about two women Both care about chemical safety. But very different perspectives.Nancy on far left. Wendy behind Pruitt

Wendy spent 38 yrs at EPA. We met 4 first time, days after she left EPA. Interviews-4 of them-lasted hours. Ultimately, opened her notebooks

So I had LOTS of questions for EPA and Nancy Beck. I asked them repeatedly to talk to me. Please, please. Finally sent them written ???s.

This is the only response I got from the EPA, after MONTHS of effort to speak with them. Was disappointed. I did want to hear their views.

Sure, every news story is a collection of facts arranged by a writer. But fairness is very important to me.

So 4 u readers who care several giant sets of documents with this story. Re TSCA fight here. Days of labor here documentcloud.org/documents/4113…

Documents Part 2: How Pruitt team overruled EPA scientists who wanted to ban a pesticide that may be harmful to kids documentcloud.org/documents/4112…

Documents Part 3: A look at how EPA's Top 10 toxic chemicals are used everyday in the USA, as EPA debates risks. documentcloud.org/documents/4113…

Documents Part 4: A look at Michael Dourson, chemical industry, now nominated to take over EPA toxics with Dr. Beck documentcloud.org/documents/4051…

So please tweet out this story so it gets wide readership. nytimes.com/2017/10/21/us/…

& read and tweet out sidebar too, re 10 toxic chemicals EPA must now evaluate, with this new leadership in charge. nytimes.com/2017/10/21/us/…

And with that, I am going to take my two daughters (age 3 and 5) to the playground.