Watchdog report indicates political appointees delayed toxic chemical assessments at EPA

A top government watchdog reported that political appointees at the Environmental Protection Agency delayed reviews of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde for months last year during a review to see if the agency's work met the leadership's priorities. Democrats have accused political leadership at the agency of delaying work on chemicals like formaldehyde, which is listed as a probable human carcinogen and found in household products made of compressed wood. The Government Accountability Office report released Monday confirms that EPA leadership delayed assessments of toxic chemicals for months last year and ultimately slashed the number of chemicals being assessed after saying they weren't a priority.