EPA Environmental Protection Agency Why was it started

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

Why was it started? President Nixon proposed the agency in 1970. The agency is charged with protecting human health and the environment. People saw the need to hold those who contaminate the environment responsible.

What does it do? It enforces laws passed by Congress Everything from: ◦ making sure drinking water is safe, ◦ to working to make sure car companies focus on fuel economy ◦ To cleaning up hazardous materials

EPA Case Study: Uranium Mining In the 1940 s the need for Uranium grew. Why? Uranium was found in Arizona in the 1950 s. Many mines were started on the Navajo Nation.

Navajo Men Hired for Mining

Why Mine? National Security? Nuclear Energy? These were good paying jobs Health effects of exposure was unknown.

Radiation Exposure CDC definition: What Radiation Exposure Is Radioactive materials give off a form of energy that travels in waves or particles. This energy is called radiation. When a person is exposed to radiation, the energy penetrates the body. For example, when a person has an x-ray, he or she is exposed to radiation.

Miners exposed Cancer rates skyrocketed Serious health effects Mines left open and exposed

Read RECA Document Answer the questions.

Navajo women drinking from water hole

Houses/Hogans made from Uranium

What is the EPA’s role? Gamma Goat!!! What they are doing now….

Funding Cut? The White House proposed cutting 20% of funding for EPA The GOP wants more than 30% of budget cut