A welcome change

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt is requiring that the agency’s research, methodologies, findings and recommendations be based on accepted scientific procedures and made available for independent scientific review. Such requirements, as expected, brought the wrath of self-anointed environmentalists down on Pruitt’ s every move and action. My experience working with several of these environmental oriented individuals definitely justifies Pruitt’s professional requirements.

In 1989, the Brookings Institute and Harvard University estimated 2,000 to 3,900 lives are lost and 20,000 serious injuries occur annually from smaller, lighter cars, designed partially in response to EPA recommendations. Making matters worse, more EPA/ congressional requirements have been added since. DDT, the chemical proven to kill malaria-carrier Anopheles mosquitoes, was condemned due to political pressure from various so-called authorities. DDT is a human life-saving chemical, but in 1962 it became a victim of Rachel Carson’s book “Silent Spring,” a work of fiction. DDT was declared a life killer in 1972, although it had saved millions of human lives. The courts found DDT is not carcinogenic and when used as directed does not have a deleterious effect, as claimed. EPA never the less banned it, resulting in the death of millions, primarily Africans, from malaria carried by mosquitoes.

Unfortunately, EPA’s findings and recommendations are often questioned by qualified sources who are then ignored. We needed openness and professionalism running EPA long ago.

Ott Johnson, Stillwater