Describe an environmental health problem that you are trying to address or solve through your science. Additionally, please describe an example of a policy or initiative that may advance solutions to this problem, and any potential barriers that may hinder adoption of the solutions of interest.
For example, an environmental health problem that one of our senior fellows has been working to address is mitigating human exposures to per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and associated health risks. In California, coalitions of scientists, community based organizations, and legislators worked to develop Senate Bill 682 which would have stopped the selling of products where PFAS is not essential for its use, including coated cookware and children’s toys. A main barrier that has hindered progress on this policy was industry criticisms on the impact of this bill on California’s economy. Therefore, the bill was ultimately vetoed by governor Newsom citing “Differential impacts to low-income communities”.
Please be sure to answer all components of the prompt.
