Government Shutdown Forces EPA Workers Off Job, Raising Public Health Concerns

EPA Workforce Impacted by Shutdown

• 📉 Nearly 90% of EPA staff are being furloughed, meaning they are told not to come to work.
• ⚠️ This shutdown affects not only furloughed workers but also substantial firings of EPA employees who may never return.

Public Health Risks During Shutdown

• 💧 The primary risk is to the public's ability to breathe clean air and drink clean water, as EPA workers are responsible for these protections.
• 🏭 During the longest previous government shutdown (2018-2019), evidence showed that polluting industries increased emissions when unobserved.
• 💨 This led to a significant increase in particulate matter, causing premature death, heart attacks, and increased asthma attacks.

Long-Term Concerns

• ❓ The uncertainty of water safety and increased health risks for children are major concerns for parents.
• 🔍 A lack of oversight during mass firings raises worries about nefarious activities that could impact the country's long-term well-being.