Friday, September 27, 2013

The EPA turns its back on states in need



2. Category of Problem/Issue: Environmental safety

3. Level of Problem: State and federal

4. The article concerns:
Toxic algae taking over lakes and beaches
5. Why is this important to individuals/families OR How does it affect individuals/families?
Environmental safety affects every living thing in the area, and the EPA not coming to help states clean up the toxins is unacceptable.
6. What are your views on the issue/problem?
It is absolutely outrageous that the Environmental Protection Agency is taking a “hands-off” approach in response to a toxic algae Cyanobacterium taking over beaches and lakes across multiple states. Obviously it is a big deal if multiple states and bodies of water are being affected, especially when there has already been one human fatality and deaths of multiple animals. This bright green algae releases spores that can seriously damage liver and nerve cells, dogs are attracted to the smell of it and humans can absorb the toxins by just swimming in the water it inhabits. Many local agencies have filed a class-action lawsuit against the EPA for being completely indifferent to the situation. I do not understand how the federal agency for environmental safety does not thing that this is an issue they need to be involved in. They are named the environmental PROTECTION agency; they need to protect the environment and its inhabitants from this incredibly toxic invasive plant species that seems to be only getting worse and worse. The states where this is going on need to make a bigger deal out of this travesty, the first I have even heard of it was in today’s paper. More people in the country need to be made aware of the federal governments lack of concern for the states in need.

No comments:

Post a Comment