( - promoted by Fong)
The recent budget resolution has brought forth criticism and debate from a number of different angles. One area that has continually brought forth high criticism is the explored reduction of resources of the Environmental Protection Agency. The constant criticism to the environmental agency is rather dangerous considering the possible health risks that may come hand in hand with cutting down their resources in the future.
When the budget resolution came through a few weeks ago, it levied a 16 percent cut to the EPA's 2010 resources. Many supporters are looking at this resolution as a positive, mainly because the GOP had been fighting for nearly a 30 percent cut to the EPA. While the 16 percent cut is certainly the lesser of two evils, the continued pressure from the GOP and response are rather disturbing. In the original 2011 proposal, President Obama called for only a 10 percent cut to the EPA's slate. With the constant pushing and criticism from GOP officials, the cut was then pushed to 16 percent. Certainly the resolution has come through and was not as bad as it could've been, but this push towards the EPA is likely to continue on from the GOP side.
With a continued push from the GOP, the possible end effects to the EPA are frightening. Considering a major hit to the EPA's budget could turn into the removal of programs, the thought that some of the EPA's initiatives that fight environmentally related health issues could be cut are unfortunate. Every year, the EPA works on a number of programs that have a direct effect on cutting environmentally related health problems such as mesothelioma, asthma, and a number of others.
The GOP has set out for a major attack on the Clean Air Act, because it will regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The ability to regulate these emissions is vital in keeping pollution and smog to a minimum. With damage to the Clean Air Act and unlimited use of emissions, the risk of asthma and respiratory issues would certainly ensue. Some other programs that could find themselves on the chopping block are also important to the health of citizens. Asbestos abatement is carried out by the EPA in areas all over the country in an effort to keep older buildings and structures safe for inhabitance and clear of cases of mesothelioma and asbestosis. Without this type of programs some could be exposed to life threatening health risks. For example, mesothelioma life expectancy is extremely severe. Of course there are a number of other programs in the EPA that have a direct effect on the health of US citizens every year and a cut to these resources could be disastrous.
Given the combination of different effects that a major reduction to the EPA could have, it's not something that looks very good, in general. The continued action of the GOP towards the EPA sets a rather disturbing possible outlook for the environmental agency. It's important that the public remain aware of positive impact that the EPA has on health every year in America, otherwise their initiatives could be in jeopardy in the near future. |
