My topic of interest for my literature review is the association between air pollution and mental health issues among children. Specifically, I am interested in the increased risk of autism among children due to particulate matter. The main agencies that can provide information, regulatory oversight, or otherwise are implicated in addressing this topic in some way are the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the state Department of Public Health, the local Department of Public Health, the state Environmental Protection Agency, and any other local air quality control agencies. It is shocking to me that so many agencies and programs should have insight and interest in the issue of poor air quality and downstream negative health impacts on children, and yet very little regulation and policy is being put forth by any of these organizations. It is my hope that with the growing body of research demonstrating the link between air quality and negative health outcomes in children, these agencies will begin to act and regulate our air quality better in order to protect our health.
Safe drinking water is one of the most essential needs of our health. Safe drinking water is a universal basic human right that every person should be guaranteed. It is my view that this is the least our government should be able to guarantee for us. The Clean Water Act has such profound public health significance because it regulates the discharge of pollutants into all our country's lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, coastal areas, and other surface waters. Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA sets national standards for water quality and defines water quality criteria, including the specific levels of various pollutants that are allowable under these criteria. The Clean Water Act is a vital step in the right direction, but we need stricter standards and evidence-based criteria for water quality. We need stronger advocacy for policies that protect all our water.
I'm really interested in seeing all of the information you'll be able to dig up relating autism to air pollution. This is a really interesting topic.
ReplyDeleteGreat topic choice! Air pollution/quality is really important to discuss - I wrote my paper on the pulmonary health hazards in children due to air pollution !
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