The EPA has allocated $7 million to fund human health issue research focused on communities where people are exposed to multiple health stressors, such as chemicals, anxiety, and poor nutrition. As part of the Science to Achieve Results program (STAR), the study will analyze factors both societal and environmental:
- Combined effects of metals and stress on central nervous system function
- Disparities in air pollutant risks
- Effects of stress and traffic pollutants on childhood asthma
- Cumulative risk assessments in urban populations and low-income communities near a Superfund site
- Strategies for assessing cumulative effects of chemical and nonchemical stressors
Many pollution and environmental studies do not consider the societal factors that can exacerbate or complicate health issues related to chemical exposure.
“EPA made a public commitment in 2010 to take action to address contributors to disproportionate environmental health impacts,” says Dr. Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research could pave the way for more interdisciplinary work that is responsive to community concerns and environmental justice.”
EPA’s 2010 Enforcement and Compliance Results
