President Trump Just Allowed Greater Environmental Risk To Children's Health

Source: WCAI

Of all of the cuts to the federal government, the one that seems obvious to withstand are any attempts to put the safety of the public (and specifically children) health in jeopardy.  Although, that is exactly where the nation is headed with the following news from an article on the website 'Yubanet' titled "EPA to Close Toxics Research Center that Protects Children’s Health":

WASHINGTON, D.C. Feb. 27, 2018 – Yesterday, it was announced that the Environmental Protection Agency is closing the National Center for Environmental Research (NCER). The program provides millions of dollars in grants each year, and through fellowships, studies the effects of chemicals on children’s health.

This closure is not the first time Trump’s EPA has stood by the chemical industry. Last year, EPA administrator Pruitt rejected a ban on chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to reduced IQ, developmental delay and increased risk of learning disabilities in children. The EPA recently reversed restrictions on the use of this pesticide, called chlorpyrifos, shortly after meeting with officials from Dow. Trump nominated Michael Dourson to head the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution, the division that oversees the chemical industry. Dourson spent much of his professional career writing studies that undermine existing science and concerns about toxic chemicals calling for weaker regulations on chemicals like pesticides, and was previously paid by Dow Agrosciences to downplay safety concerns about chlorpyrifos. Dourson later withdrew his name from consideration for the position. Dow Chemical, the parent company of Dow Agrosciences, contributed $1 million to Trump’s inaugural committee.

In the same article, the author include the response from the Sierra Club, an environmental group greatly concerned with the news and rightly so:

In response, Sierra Club Melinda Pierce Federal Lobby and Advocacy Director released the following statement:

“By shutting the door on the research operation that keeps our kids safe from toxic chemicals all while making dangerous policy decisions that pump more chemicals into our air and water, Scott Pruitt is taking the health and safety of our families as seriously as playground games. From his failure to ban the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos, to his attacks on rules that cut mercury and arsenic in our water, to halting research that protects children from toxic threats, it’s clear that when it comes the health of our families, Scott Pruitt simply does not care.”

Wow!  That is my initial reaction to the news.  I understand the intention of privatization on part of this administration.  Although, I do not understand where or how this save us money in the long run.  There is no substitute for the health of our children who will grow up to be tomorrow's consumers and advocates.  Now, they have no choice.  Later they will be in a situation where the decisions of today have greatly affected the climate (and environment) of tomorrow.



Conclusion...



This measure is unacceptable.  Really, talk about environmental justice.  The decision to close the National Center for Environmental Research is quick and not well thought out.  The following questions need to be seriously entertained:


Who benefits besides industry with this closure?  


How much money do we save on an annual basis compared to the amount of money which will have to be spent on treating the adverse health effects of today's decision?



These are the questions that we as a nation should be asking ourselves and our elected officials when the Trump Administration decides to throw our country into an environmental disarray.  Our health should not be compromised by elected officials who have no knowledge of the gravity of their decisions.  When these conversations come up at the dinner table, be sure to weigh in on the disastrous effects on children's health -- tomorrows leaders.