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

*From The Guardian:* 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 [carcinogen](https://www.osha.gov/formaldehyde/hazards#:~:text=Organization%20(WHO).-,Formaldehyde%20.,to%20humans%20(Group%201).) widely used in everyday goods from cosmetics to furniture to craft supplies. 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 [moved to undo those findings](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/19/trump-epa-formaldehyde-protection-proposal) and [replace them](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/03/2025-21776/formaldehyde-updated-draft-risk-calculation-memorandum-notice-of-availability-and-request-for) with less protective figures. The newly released documents show the industry and the Trump EPA’s [scientific justification](https://www.epa.gov/chemicals-under-tsca/epa-releases-updated-draft-risk-calculation-memorandum-formaldehyde-under-tsca) for weakening the protections largely relied on, or aligned with, a small number of studies led by a chemical industry scientist, Rory Conolly, who argued that some exposure to formaldehyde is safe. The Conolly studies were funded by chemical trade groups. Between 2008-2024, the EPA had concluded the research was out of date or unreliable, documents show. Once the Trump administration took over the EPA, it changed formaldehyde risk levels to align with the level Conolly found was safe. It relied in part on [his assessments](https://www.regulations.gov/comment/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2023-0613-0191), limited data from other researchers, or studies the EPA previously found to be out of date. Advocates say the documents show the Trump EPA often “cherry picked” data. The documents, obtained via a Freedom of Information Act request by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), a non-profit, also show an unusual three-day meeting in 2023 among the EPA and top formaldehyde producers, users and trade groups. Among the presenters was Conolly. [*You can read the full story for free at this link.*](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/27/trump-epa-cancer-rules-formaldehyde?referring_host=Listnook&utm_campaign=guardianacct)

Is that so they can put Trump's head in a jar, Futurama style, and he can be king for eternity?

Pretty sure that's the chemical that appears when you hit a vape too hot & scald the oil. Just sayin..