Dr. Goodman, who holds a PhD in toxicology from Johns Hopkins University, is one of the company’s most prominent scientists, helping to protect industries as diverse as tobacco, plastics and natural gas. fossil data against health concerns — reflecting common practice in which many industries hire experts to openly support their positions.
She helped develop professional evidence to Philip Morris in a class-action lawsuit that went to trial in 2015, describing the tobacco giant’s best-selling Marlboro Lights cigarettes as safer for smokers. In a decision for the plaintiffs, Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Edward Leibensperger said Gradient’s analysis “has been shown to be inconsistent and contrary to the consensus of the scientific community.”
At Gradient, Dr. Goodman also co-author an article, funded by the now-defunct American Plastics Council, criticized dozens of academic papers that raised concerns about Bisphonal-A, or BPA, a chemical used to make hard plastics like bottles. water and fruit juice. One research agency suggest that BPA and other bisphenols may act as endocrine disorders Interfere with hormones in the body. Chemicals that have been associated with reduced fertility, earlier puberty in boys and behavior problems young.
In his congressional testimony, Dr. Goodman was argue against regulatory standards for mercury and air poisons, and has been criticized Study linking air pollution and death, often describes himself as an independent scientist, although Gradient works for corporate clients. In articles sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute, she also attacked research linking smog ozone exposure to deaths from respiratory illnesses.
Frederick vom Saal, professor of biology emeritus at the University of Missouri, was among the scientists criticized by Dr. Goodman. “There are more than 1,000 publications on BPA, but she insists none of them meet their standards,” he said. He says her argument is essentially, “’You don’t need to worry about anything because there’s so little exposure,’ he said, adding that decades of research has shown that it is not true.
Gradient declined to comment.
Goodman’s presence in Multnomah surprised those at the county hearing. The county, which includes much of Portland, recently passed a resolution to reduce the health impacts of air pollution.
“We all looked at each other, ‘Who is that? Why is she here?’” said Melanie Plaut, a retired Oregon doctor who is joining the call for a closer inspection of gas stoves. “There are too many points to refute.”
