Stop Climate Change-Fueled Neurotoxins From Causing Widespread Brain Damage

Target: Michael Regan, EPA Administrator

Goal: Increase safety surrounding the harmful long-term effects of wildfires and hurricanes caused by climate change.

In the summer of 2021, wildfires covered the western part of the U.S. with toxic, smoky haze. At the same time, hurricanes caused extensive damage across large swaths of the south and eastern parts of the country. While the immediate dangers- loss of life and property- were quickly noticeable, these climate-fueled disasters could also affect human health in more long-term ways.

Wildfire smoke is a combination of countless toxic chemical compounds, emitted into the atmosphere by fires burning across a warming planet. These dangerous particulates, which include neurotoxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and manganese nanoparticles, are an added environmental burden on top of the pollutants emitted by factories, power plants, vehicles, and other sources. Studies show that these extremely tiny particles may damage neurons or brain cells by promoting inflammation, which can lead to conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Prenatal and early-life exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children and may impair normal neural development.

There are also toxins in the water born by widespread hurricanes. The most common of which is blue-green algae found in rivers and lakes which can cause neurodegenerative disorders and can be deadly to humans, dogs, and wildlife.

The EPA is currently re-evaluating air quality standards for particulate matter and is calling for a new strategic plan to control harmful algae blooms. Act now to call for increased standards concerning toxic particulates and pollutants.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Regan, 

Wildfires and hurricanes continue to cause extensive damage across the country. Wildfire smoke sends dangerous particulates, including neurotoxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and manganese nanoparticles, into the atmosphere. These may damage neurons or brain cells by promoting inflammation, which can lead to conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Prenatal and early-life exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children and may impair normal neural development.

Hurricanes transfer waterborne neurotoxins into the environment, the most common of which is blue-green algae. This is found in rivers and lakes and can cause neurodegenerative disorders that can be deadly to humans, dogs, and wildlife.

These neurodegenerative toxins are growing increasingly worse and, along with the other effects of climate change will only continue to develop. Please, enact stringent air quality standards and control these harmful toxic algae blooms.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo By: Bureau of Land Management