200,000 Lives Threatened By EPA Rule Changes
An analysis by The Guardian shows that “A push by Donald Trump’s administration to repeal a barrage of clean air and water regulations may deal a severe blow to US public health, and that the targeted rules were set to save the lives of nearly 200,000 people in the years ahead.” The decisions affected 31 regulations that water population, air pollution, and chemical use. The period forecast covers the next 25 years.
Heart And Lung Disease
The cutbacks would trigger greater risk for conditions that range from heart disease to asthma. A recent report from the EPA listed air pollution risks–”People with heart or lung diseases, children, older adults, minority populations, and low socioeconomic status populations are the most likely to be affected by particle pollution exposure, either because they are more sensitive or may have higher exposures.” In the case of water pollution, the primary risks are the health effects of chemical exposure and of consuming water with disease-causing microbes.
While it is hard to say how accurate The Guardian’s numbers are, there is certainly evidence that they are directionally correct. For example, emissions from transportation, primarily cars, are about 31% of all US energy-related CO2 emissions.
The problem is an example of a trend in nations worldwide, particularly the largest polluters. They have begun to abandon many regulations in the name of economic advancement without paying much attention to health costs.
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