Eye Doctor Tapped As EPA Adviser, Despite No Air Pollution Expertise

Shifting Sands in Health & Environmental Policy: A Look at Emerging Trends

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:22pm

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the selection of new members to the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), including Dr. Brian Joondeph, an ophthalmologist and political commentator, raising concerns about the prioritization of scientific expertise in shaping air quality standards. This move comes amid other policy shifts, such as the EPA eliminating a Clean Air Act finding from 2009 that underpinned much of the federal government's climate change initiatives, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) launching a new adverse event reporting system and cracking down on telehealth companies marketing compounded versions of weight loss drugs.

Why it matters

The appointment of an eye doctor to the CASAC, which traditionally has been filled by pulmonologists or cardiologists, raises questions about the qualifications needed to advise on the health impacts of air pollution. This move, along with other regulatory changes, signals a potential reshaping of how the U.S. addresses critical issues ranging from air quality to reproductive health, with potential implications for public health and environmental protection.

The details

The EPA has announced the selection of new members to the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC), with a two-year term from 2026-2028. The new committee includes experts from diverse scientific disciplines, and notably, for the first time in years, representatives from state air pollution control agencies. However, the appointment of Dr. Brian Joondeph, an ophthalmologist and political commentator, to the CASAC has drawn criticism. This move breaks with the traditional practice of filling the physician's seat on the committee with pulmonologists or cardiologists, sparking debate about the qualifications needed to advise on the health impacts of air pollution.

  • The new CASAC members will serve a two-year term from 2026-2028.
  • The previous CASAC members were dismissed in January 2025.

The players

Lee Zeldin

The current Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Dr. Brian Joondeph

An ophthalmologist and political commentator who has been appointed to the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC).

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC)

An EPA advisory committee that provides independent scientific advice on air quality standards.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The federal agency responsible for protecting public health by regulating the safety and efficacy of food, drugs, and other products.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure that the EPA's scientific advisory committees are filled with experts who have the appropriate qualifications and expertise to advise on critical issues like air pollution and its health impacts.”

— Senator Josh Hawley, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The EPA's new CASAC members will begin their two-year term in 2026, during which they will provide independent scientific advice on air quality standards.

The takeaway

The appointment of an eye doctor to the EPA's Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee raises concerns about the prioritization of scientific expertise in shaping air quality standards, highlighting the ongoing shifts in health and environmental policy that could have significant implications for public health and environmental protection.