The EPA Faces Backlash Over Proposed Limits on Pollution Rule Revisions
The politicization of scientific regulation is fueling urgent debates on public health and research funding.
Today's top science and health conversations on Bluesky reveal mounting public concern over the politicization of scientific regulation, ongoing efforts to safeguard evidence-based policy, and a celebration of the connections between science and everyday well-being. The day's leading voices spotlight how legislative, judicial, and community actions are shaping the future of public health and research in the U.S.
Science Policy Crossroads: Regulation, Authority, and Accountability
A powerful current running through today's discussions centers on the U.S. government's evolving relationship with scientific evidence and regulatory authority. Posts from prominent science reporters detail how the EPA is now considering restricting its own ability to revise hazardous air pollution rules in response to new data—an issue that would limit updates on nearly 200 pollutants despite clear health risks. This potential self-imposed limitation, highlighted by Lisa Song's reporting, is echoed and amplified by fellow journalists questioning the wisdom of such regulatory hand-tying. Charles Ornstein's overview of EPA's internal debates underscores fears that legal maneuvering could sideline new science and favor industry interests over public health.
"Almost like this hand-tying is being done deliberately in order to discount science and further the agendas of the ruling capitalists at the expense of everyone else."- @xyzzyllyzzyx (0 points)
The tension between science and politics is further reflected in the U.S. Congress's rebuke of attempts to slash agency budgets, as reported by Science Magazine, and in the legal win protecting NIH funding for university research overhead. Meanwhile, the pressure campaign to impeach Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr., as mobilized by Stand Up for Science, and Senator Michael Bennet's warning about the risks of disrupting pediatric vaccine schedules highlight a groundswell of advocacy for science-based health leadership.
"Secretary Kennedy upending the pediatric vaccine schedule will put countless young lives at risk of completely preventable diseases."- @bennet.senate.gov (70 points)
Public Engagement, Everyday Science, and Health Wisdom
While high-level policy battles dominate headlines, today's Bluesky conversations also celebrate the grounding role of science in everyday life. Nutrition discussions take center stage as users weigh in on the merits of prioritizing fiber over protein for diabetes management, with personal experiences and expert perspectives enriching the dialogue. The thread illustrates the value—and the complexity—of translating scientific advice into daily practice.
"Protein is in almost everything, so it's almost impossible to not get enough... and most people eat way more than they need, even in a balanced diet; it's mostly excreted instead of utilized by the body."- @barsha-foxman (6 points)
Elsewhere, the intersection of science and culture emerges through posts like Science Friday's feature on Black foragers reconnecting with nature via mushroom hunting, underscoring the ways science builds community and identity. On the research frontier, Michael Greshko's report on scientists seeking da Vinci's DNA from ancient drawings captures the public imagination, illustrating how curiosity-driven inquiry continues to fascinate and inspire. Opportunities for new voices in science media are also expanding, as The Sick Times puts out a call for a podcast and social media producer with lived experience of Long COVID, reflecting a broader push for diversity and authenticity in science communication.
Every subreddit has human stories worth sharing. - Jamie Sullivan