Toxic Risks Rise as Trump EPA Rolls Back Protections

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Donald Trump has been accused of abandoning its core mission of protecting people and the environment from preventable toxic exposures. A new report by the Environmental Protection Network (EPN), a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of hundreds of former EPA staff, warns that the agency's weakened, delayed, or rescinded regulations have given new life to a dozen high-risk pollutants.

The report, titled "Terrible Toxic," highlights the expanding pollution risks faced by Americans due to the Trump administration's deregulation efforts. Mark Boom, EPN's senior director for public affairs, emphasized that the scope and scale of these risks are often overlooked, making it difficult for the public to understand the full picture and connect it to their everyday lives.

According to the report, the EPA has rolled back or weakened regulations on a range of pollutants, including particulate matter, ozone, and toxic chemicals like asbestos and chlorpyrifos. These pollutants are linked to various health problems, including respiratory diseases, cancer, and neurological damage.

One of the most significant concerns is the increased exposure to particulate matter, which is emitted by vehicles, industrial facilities, and other sources. The report notes that the EPA has delayed implementing more stringent standards for particulate matter, despite evidence that it can cause premature deaths and other serious health problems.

The report also highlights the risks associated with ozone pollution, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. The EPA has rolled back regulations on ozone emissions from industrial sources, allowing for higher levels of pollution in the air.

The EPN report warns that these changes will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and low-income communities. These groups often live in areas with higher levels of pollution and have limited access to healthcare, making them more susceptible to the negative health impacts of toxic exposures.

The Trump administration has defended its deregulation efforts, arguing that they are necessary to promote economic growth and reduce regulatory burdens on industry. However, the EPN report argues that these changes will ultimately cost Americans more in the long run, as the health impacts of pollution can lead to increased healthcare costs and lost productivity.

The report's authors also point out that the EPA's actions are often at odds with the agency's own scientific research. For example, the EPA's own studies have shown that particulate matter and ozone pollution can have serious health impacts, yet the agency has chosen to roll back regulations aimed at reducing these pollutants.

The EPN report is not the first to sound the alarm about the Trump administration's environmental policies. Other studies have warned about the potential health impacts of the administration's deregulation efforts, including a report by the Harvard School of Public Health that estimated that the rollback of the Clean Power Plan could lead to up to 36,000 premature deaths annually.

The report's findings have sparked concerns among public health advocates and environmental groups, who are calling for the EPA to take a more proactive approach to protecting public health. "The EPA's core mission is to protect public health and the environment," said Boom. "We urge the agency to return to its core mission and prioritize the health and well-being of all Americans."

As the debate over environmental regulation continues, the EPN report serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of the Trump administration's policies. With the health and well-being of Americans hanging in the balance, it remains to be seen whether the EPA will take steps to address the growing concerns about toxic pollution.