Trump EPA relied on industry science to weaken formaldehyde cancer rules, documents show

<p>Papers reveal how chemical lobby influenced policy, reversing Biden-era limits on a common carcinogen</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/feb/17/sign-up-for-the-breaking-news-us-email-to-get-newsletter-alerts-direct-to-your-inbox?utm_medium=ACQUISITIONS_STANDFIRST&amp;utm_campaign=BN22326&amp;utm_content=signup&amp;utm_term=standfirst&amp;utm_source=GUARDIAN_WEB">Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox</a></p></li></ul><p>A new trove of chemical producer and US Environmental Protection Agency documents reveal an elaborate industry operation that killed strong regulations around formaldehyde, a highly toxic <a href="https://www.osha.gov/formaldehyde/hazards#:~:text=Organization%20(WHO).-,Formaldehyde%20.,to%20humans%20(Group%201).">carcinogen</a> widely used in everyday goods from cosmetics to furniture to craft supplies.</p><p>The Biden EPA in late 2024 determined any exposure to formaldehyde increased the risk of cancer and other health problems. The Trump EPA in late 2025 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/trump-epa-formaldehyde-protection-proposal">moved to undo those findings</a> and <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/03/2025-21776/formaldehyde-updated-draft-risk-calculation-memorandum-notice-of-availability-and-request-for">replace them</a> with less protective figures.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/27/trump-epa-cancer-rules-formaldehyde">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →