Trump pick who failed to win Senate support is leaving EPA

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s pick to oversee chemical safety is departing the Environmental Protection Agency a month after withdrawing his nomination in the face of concerns over his ties to the chemical industry.

Michael Dourson has been a senior adviser to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. His online resume indicates his employment at the agency ends in January.

Democrats were united in opposing Dourson’s nomination to head the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. He pulled out after two Republican senators said they would not vote for him.

EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox is praising Dourson’s qualifications and wishing him “continued success in his future endeavours.”

The Associated Press reported in September that as a toxicologist Dourson accepted payments for criticizing scientific studies raising concerns about the safety of his clients’ products.