EPA Furloughs Threaten Air and Water Protections
With the U.S. federal government partially shut down, nearly 90% of staff at the Environmental Protection Agency face furlough. That means critical services like pollution monitoring, chemical inspections, and disaster response risk grinding to a halt.
The senior advisor likens this to turning off the sensors that guard our air and water. In an exclusive interview, they warn that without the EPA's eyes on the ground, toxic emissions and water contamination could go unchecked, putting millions at risk.
Potential Fallout for Communities
From urban centers to rural towns, residents depend on the EPA's daily oversight to ensure factories follow clean-air regulations and water supplies remain safe. With the agency sidelined, local health departments and emergency teams may have to fill the gap amid limited resources.
Global Implications and Next Steps
As the shutdown drags on, experts worry that environmental data will go uncollected, hindering research and policy decisions worldwide. For now, activists and local groups are mobilizing volunteers to monitor hotspots and call on lawmakers to restore funding.
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U.S. environmental programs halted under government shutdown
cgtn.com
