EPA adviser fears marginalization of science - C&EN Global

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GRADUATE EDUCATION

▸ NSF supports new internships in business and policy The scientific community has long sought ways to diversify the experiences of graduate students beyond universities. More than half of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) doctoral graduates end up working outside academia, according to the 2016 Science & Engineering Indicators report. Now NSF has announced it will sponsor graduate student research internships in fields outside academia. The internships are designed “to ensure graduate students are prepared for the 21st-century STEM workforce,” according to the letter announcing the program. Funding will be available to graduate students working for NSF-funded principal investigators supported through several directorates, including those for Engineering and Education & Human Resources. A few examples of places that could host NSFsponsored interns include industry research labs, start-ups, government agencies, national laboratories, think tanks, and nonprofits.—ANDREA WIDENER

POLICY

▸ EPA adviser fears marginalization of science

PESTICIDES

Court reverses EPA approval of nanosilver product In a win for environmental and public health groups, a federal appeals court revoked EPA’s approval of an antimicrobial product containing nanosilver. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled on May 30 that EPA failed to show that its approval of the product, called NSPW-L30SS or Nanosilva, was in the public’s interest. The agency approved Nanosilva for use in textiles and plastics in May 2015, under the condition that, within four years, the manufacturer would generate safety data to determine the product’s effects on human health and the environment. EPA claimed that the nanosilver product had a lower application rate and a lower mobility rate compared with conventional silver-based antimicrobials. The product thus had the potential to reduce the amount of silver released into the environment, EPA said. A coalition of environmental groups challenged EPA’s decision, claiming the agency failed to assess the risks of Nanosilva to humans and the environment. “Nanosilver is known to be highly toxic to aquatic life and may be hazardous to people,” says Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the environmental groups that challenged the approval of Nanosilva. “EPA rushed to judgment by approving it, leaving consumers to be guinea pigs,” she says. “Now the agency must take a closer look at its potential to cause harm.”—BRITT ERICKSON

out regard to its use. Although she acknowledges Pruitt’s authority to select science committee members more to his liking, Swackhamer fears a marginalized future role for objective, knowledgeable science advisers. With Pruitt’s cuts and the end of some members’ terms, BOSC’s 18-member advisory committee will be down to five, she pointed out.—JEFF JOHNSON, special

to C&EN A top EPA science adviser is warning that recent actions of the Trump Administration may diminish the role and the importance of science at the agency. Deborah L. Swackhamer, chair of EPA’s Board of Scientific Counselors (BOSC) and former chair of the agency’s Science Advisory Board, spoke at a May 23 hearing held by a panel of the U.S. House of Representatives Science, Space & Technology Committee. Swackhamer is concerned with the impact of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s recent decision not to renew appointments of nine BOSC members. EPA officials and others say Pruitt wants more diverse scientific committees that include more members from regulated industry. Swackhamer said this may lead to a perception that science is being politicized and marginalized in the agency. BOSC, she says, does not review regulations or science compiled to support regulations but does review science with-

CLIMATE CHANGE

▸ EU closing in on reform of emission trading program Ongoing talks to revamp the European Union’s greenhouse gas emission trading program are scheduled to resume on June 27 and may conclude later this year. The European Council and the European Parliament are hammering out a revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for 2021–30. The EU has agreed to crank back its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. The trading system, launched in 2005, caps the amount of greenhouse gases that energy-intensive

EU Emissions Trading System by the numbers:

industries—including chemical manufacturers—as well as power plants and airlines may emit. Companies buy allowances to cover their emissions and can sell their excess allowances. The recent economic crisis 11,000 power helped lower destations and mand for allowancmanufacturing es, leading to a surplants covered plus and depressing 31 countries: the their prices. The 28 EU member council, which states plus Iceland, includes heads of Liechtenstein, and government who Norway can commit mem45% of total EU ber states to EU greenhouse gas policies, and Parliaemissions controlled ment are working to through system reform the system. >75% of all carbon Their stated goal is trading worldwide to ensure the system provides a cost-efSource: EU Emissions fective incentive Trading System to businesses for reducing their emissions and to spur the development of low-carbon technology innovations.—CHERYL HOGUE JUNE 5, 2017 | CEN.ACS.ORG | C&EN

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