Stephen Johnson, the new head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has defended a controversial study that would have exposed children to pesticides as “ethically and scientifically sound,” agency employees said.
Johnson reportedly made the statement during a June 2 tour of the Denver-based EPA Region 8 headquarters.
The EPA administrator was pressured into canceling the study that almost derailed his appointment to head the agency.
In his Denver comments, Johnson reportedly said the cancellation was “an unfortunate result of public misunderstanding.”
Johnson’s statement led to a protest letter from the president of the local union representing EPA employees, who called it “offensive” and “damaging to EPA’s credibility.”
“To me it was a pretty striking thing to say,” said David Christenson, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 3607.
“I know a number of employees, both members and nonmembers, told me they really had to bite their tongue,” Christenson said.
Johnson made the comments about the now-defunct Children’s Health and Environmental Exposure Research Study, or CHEERS, which was designed to analyze the effect of pesticides on children.
As part of the study, the EPA planned to offer $970 and a video camera to low-income Florida families who used indoor pesticides and were willing to tape their children’s behavior.
The study was the major sticking point during Johnson’s confirmation, drawing criticism from some senators who accused the agency of paying poor families to expose children to harmful chemicals.
Johnson, who was acting EPA administrator, canceled the study in April. He was sworn into office in May.
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., who lobbied to have CHEERS canceled, said she was disappointed Johnson was continuing to support the study.
“I applaud the employees of EPA’s Region 8 for speaking out,” Boxer said. “Unfortunately, it appears that Administrator Johnson’s ‘nomination conversion’ was as hollow as it is short-lived.”
Johnson could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
EPA spokeswoman Eryn Witcher issued a written statement saying: “It’s unfortunate that Administrator Johnson’s unprecedented internal employee outreach has been exploited by interest groups to further their agendas in the media.”
On Monday, Johnson told the Western Governors’ Association in Breckenridge that the EPA should encourage energy development rather than hinder it.
Those comments drew criticism from environmental groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Staff writer Kim McGuire can be reached at 303-820-1240 or kmcguire@denverpost.com.
