Rolling Back Cancer Protections
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JUST A FEW OF TRUMP’S ENVIRONMENTAL ROLLBACKS THAT COULD CAUSE CANCER
THESE THINGS DON’T CAUSE CANCER
WINDMILLS
Trump actually suggested at a Republican fundraiser that windmills can cause cancer. For the record, windmills don’t cause cancer. Period. They are also one of the cheapest sources of electricity in the United States. Wind energy supports 24,000 manufacturing jobs right here in the United States with 500 factories in 42 states.
THESE THINGS DO CAUSE CANCER
TRUMP’S ROLLBACK OF COAL POWER PLANT WASTE PROTECTIONS
Wastewater from coal power plants can contain toxic chemicals like mercury, arsenic, and selenium. In fact, one investigation found cancer-causing arsenic in the groundwater near half of coal plants tested.
Trump delayed implementation of limits on toxic wastewater from power plants. Then he changed the rules to allow power plants to release three times as much selenium and in some cases as high as ten times the level of toxic mercury in wastewater.
TRUMP’S ROLLBACK OF COAL POWER PLANT AIR POLLUTION SAFEGUARDS
Air pollution from coal power plants can include mercury, lead, cadmium, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing arsenic. The soot pollution from coal power plants has also been linked to lung cancer, yet Trump rolled back rules on emissions in a move designed to help them keep running longer.
TRUMP’S ROLLBACK OF CLEAN CAR STANDARDS
The American Lung Association warns that pollution from vehicle exhaust and power plants can cause lung cancer, heart disease, and asthma attacks, but Trump rolled back clean cars standards against the advice of career scientists. One study found that communities of color in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic breathe 66% more air pollution just from car exhaust than white residents.
TRUMP’S REFUSAL TO TACKLE PFAS CONTAMINATION
Trump’s administration has repeatedly blocked action to address contamination from toxic PFAS chemicals that have been linked to cancer and other health problems. On three separate occasions, Trump threatened to veto legislation being considered in Congress that would address this toxic contamination and hold polluters responsible for their mess.
TRUMP’S HANDOUTS TO FRACKING CEOS
Chemicals leaking into the air from fracking wells can cause serious health issues including cancer and birth defects, but Donald Trump eliminated rules requiring oil and gas companies to control gas leaks. Air pollution from the oil and gas industry causes nearly 2,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
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