Human Health and the Environment Depend on Independent Science

A 2007 survey of EPA scientists conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Iowa State University reveals widespread political interference, suppression of scientific findings, and restricted communication with the public. The findings indicate that a majority of respondents experienced political pressure, often originating from the White House Office of Management and Budget and commercial interests, leading to decreased job satisfaction and concerns over the agency's overall effectiveness in protecting human health and the environment.

• A majority of surveyed EPA scientists reported experiencing political interference in their work over a five-year period, with agency veterans noting an increase in such interference compared to the previous five years.
• Scientists reported specific instances of scientific distortion, including the inappropriate exclusion of technical information, pressure to change findings leading to resignations, and the selective use of data to support predetermined regulatory outcomes.
• Political pressure is attributed to the White House, EPA political appointees, and commercial interests, with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) identified as a primary source of interference.
• Communication of research findings is heavily restricted, with over half of respondents disagreeing that agency policies allow them to speak freely to the news media.
• There is a perceived disconnect between scientific expertise and agency action, with many scientists feeling that the EPA's determinations are inconsistent with scientific findings or ignore independent advisory committees.
• The environment of political interference has led to a decline in morale and job satisfaction, as well as concerns regarding the loss of technical knowledge due to unfilled vacancies and the closure of EPA libraries.

APA

Union of Concerned Scientists (2008). Human Health and the Environment Depend on Independent Science. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/epa-survey-brochure.pdf

Chicago

Union of Concerned Scientists. Human Health and the Environment Depend on Independent Science. 2008. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/epa-survey-brochure.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Union of Concerned Scientists |title=Human Health and the Environment Depend on Independent Science |date=2008 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/epa-survey-brochure.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{unionofconcernedscientists2008human, author = {{Union of Concerned Scientists}}, title = {{Human Health and the Environment Depend on Independent Science}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2008}, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2019-09/epa-survey-brochure.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }