EPA’s Environmental Deregulation Aggravates Risks for the Latino Community
By Johani Carolina Ponce
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is at the center of controversy after announcing unprecedented cuts to its environmental regulations and scientific arm. Under the Lee Zeldin administration, the agency has proposed eliminating the Office of Research and Development (ORD), which would result in the layoff of more than 1,100 scientists, chemists, and biologists.
In addition, the agency has promoted 31 actions seeking to weaken environmental protections, from relaxing air and water quality standards to reducing controls on toxic substances and industrial emissions. These measures, justified by the administration as an attempt to reduce costs and eliminate “unnecessary” regulations, have raised concerns among experts, environmental organizations, and vulnerable communities.
Dismantling the EPA’s Scientific Arm
The elimination of the Office of Research and Development, according to experts, would be a direct blow to science within the EPA. This office has been instrumental in studies on air pollution, the impact of wildfires on public health, and the risks of toxic chemicals in drinking water. Without this scientific backing, many environmental regulations would be weakened.
Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, warns: “This is a cluster bomb of measures to destroy a wide range of environmental regulations. We’ll see if it explodes in the EPA’s face when the inevitable wave of lawsuits hits the courts.”
Impact on the Latino Community
The changes at the EPA come at a critical time for the Latino community, which already suffers the effects of extreme heat and air pollution. According to the Hispanic Access Foundation, Latinos are 21% more likely to live in urban heat islands and 30% of homes lack air conditioning.
Furthermore, many work in sectors such as construction and agriculture, where exposure to extreme temperatures and air pollutants can aggravate respiratory problems. “Latino children visit the emergency room for asthma twice as often as non-Hispanic white children and are 40% more likely to die from asthma,” warns Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, policy advisor for Green Latinos. She also points out that “Latinos are more likely to live in ‘diesel death zones,’ where truck emissions create a higher risk of lung disease, asthma, and cancer.”
Reversal of the Endangerment Statement
Another point of great controversy is the elimination of the endangerment statement, established in 2009, which has been fundamental to greenhouse gas regulation. This statement scientifically recognizes that carbon dioxide and methane pose a risk to public health.
Environmental organizations have warned of the legal consequences of this measure. “If the EPA overturns established laws and irrefutable facts, we expect to see this administration in court,” Earthjustice said in a statement. Nikki Reisch, director of Climate and Energy at the Center for International Environmental Law, warns that the EPA does not have the unilateral authority to make these changes without complying with the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires scientific justification and public comment.
Elimination of Vehicle Regulations
Another significant change is the elimination of vehicle emissions standards, which have been instrumental in improving air quality in urban areas. Without these regulations, air pollution could increase, directly affecting Latino communities living near highways and industrial areas.
The American Lung Association has stated that it will take action to prevent these rollbacks: “We will use every tool at our disposal to defend these life-saving protections and protect the health of families.”
EPA Justification
At the EPA, Lee Zeldin has defended deregulation, asserting that these measures will reduce costs and boost the economy. “Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has ever seen,” he stated, arguing that the elimination of regulations will allow for growth in the energy sector and the recovery of jobs in the automotive industry.
For the Latino community, the risk is clear: less protection against pollution and a greater impact of climate change on health and quality of life.
