• Subscribe
  • Donate Now
  • logo
  • logo
  • Illinois
  • IowaWatch
  • Region
  • National
  • Send us a tip securely
  • About Investigate Midwest
    • Pitch us
    • Our Awards
    • Jobs
  • Donate Now
  • More
    • About Investigate Midwest
    • Board of Directors
    • User Agreement and Privacy Policy
    • Donor Transparency
    • Editorial Independence Policy
    • Contact Us
cancer

EPA Inspector General: Covid-19 could affect agency’s ability to communicate health risks to communities

By Samuel Trilling, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting | June 25, 2020
More
  • More on cancer
  • Subscribe to cancer

Covid-19 could hamper the EPA’s ability to inform communities of health risks, according to a report released this month from the agency’s Office of Inspector General.

Specifically, the inspector general’s office worried the EPA might not be able to inform residents who live near facilities with emissions that could cause cancer. In a separate report from late March, the office urged EPA to take “prompt action” to inform communities.

As of the March report, the EPA and state agencies had not met with or reached out to residents around 16 of the 25 “high-priority” facilities, which are located primarily around cities in the South and Midwest.

The June report detailed other concerns, including personnel shortages and cutbacks to routine inspections. 

The EPA did not respond to a request for comment.

The report detailed a number of systemic management and communication issues inside of the EPA, some attributed to the current virus accommodations. 

The inspector general’s office noted that the agency’s lax regulation enforcement and communication efforts could lead to increased community health risks, especially those that are affected by the national efforts to combat coronavirus.

The inspector general’s March report focused on ethylene oxide emissions, which are carcinogens. These emissions are often the byproduct of chemical plants, including those that create sterilizing agents used throughout the pandemic, according to Chemical & Engineering News. 

The report was concerned that increased productivity at some of these locations could increase emissions, which reinforced the need for affected communities to be aware of the pollutants. 

Thanks to our sponsors

loganfoundation mccormick foundation

Member Of

Member
  • Investigate Midwest
  • About Investigate Midwest
  • Contact Us
  • Support Investigate Midwest

About Investigate Midwest

Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Our mission is to serve the public interest by exposing dangerous and costly practices of influential agricultural corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism.

Search This Site

Browse Archives

© Copyright 2022, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

Investigate Midwest is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News

Built with the Largo WordPress Theme from the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Back to top ↑

The Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Learn More
Privacy & Cookies Policy