WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the pesticide industry are being accused of using political pressure to gain approval for some chemicals.
Leaders of three unions representing EPA scientists and other specialists say the industry wants to be allowed to continue the use of pesticides that might be harmful to children, infants and fetuses, The New York Times reported Thursday.
Specifically, the labor leaders say scientists are being urged to skip steps in their testing, and allege the "integrity of the science upon which agency decisions are based has been compromised," the newspaper said.
The protest comes from unions representing approximately 9,000 EPA workers. Agency officials did not comment on the accusations, the newspaper said.
Unions involved in the dispute are the American Federation of Government Employees, the National Treasury Employees Union, and the Engineers and Scientists of California.
