The rule, originally proposed under Clinton, would have enforced stringent handling restrictions on factory shop towels contaminated with solvents that can harm the health of workers. However, during the Bush administration, industry advocates were allowed to view an advanced copy of the regulation and propose changes, which were then adopted by the EPA, according to the Washington Post.
Industrial-laundry companies stand to benefit from the weakened rule, including Cintas Inc., owned by Bush campaign contributor Richard T. Farmer. Farmer and his wife have given $3.1 million to the Bush campaign.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Rep. Rosa L. Delauro (D-CT) and Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA) have sent a letter to EPA, requesting an investigation. EPA denies that any favoritism took place in drafting the rule.
Exposure of industrial laundry workers to hazardous waste from factory shop towels can have serious health ramifications. Mark Fragola, a former employee of Cintas, suffered significant health complications after long-term exposure to hazardous solvents on shop towels. Fragola spoke at a March 9 EPA public hearing on the rule.