Olver Provision to Assess Health Impacts of Global Warming Added to FY07 EPA Funding Bill

OLVER PROVISION TO ASSESS HEALTH IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ADDED TO FY07 EPA FUNDING BILL

Congressman John W. Olver (D-1st District) today successfully included a study of the health impacts related to global warming on the U.S. population, particularly on vulnerable populations, in the fiscal year 20007 Interior, Environment Appropriations bill.

Olver added the study in the Interior, Environment Appropriations bill, which includes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during a meeting of the full House Appropriations Committee today.

"We must be better prepared to address the increase of health complications which will impact the country at large, but particularly our most vulnerable populations ‚ the very young, the very old, and those with respiratory disease," Olver said.

Olver's amendment would require the EPA to contract with the National Academies of Science to conduct a study of potential health impacts of climate disturbance, caused by global warming, on the U.S. population at large and to make recommendations for improving our public health and medical response capability to those health impacts, particularly with regard to vulnerable populations, such as the very young, the very old, persons with respiratory illness and residents living in areas of poor air quality.

Olver is a member of the Interior, Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. The amendment was accepted by a voice vote.

Olver added, "We need to be much better prepared for increases in air pollution, the spread of pest-borne and other diseases, and heat waves. The increase of these will cause health complications in many areas of the country. We need to act now to protect our most vulnerable citizens ‚ children and babies, the elderly and those who already suffer from respiratory illness."

http://www.house.gov/olver/news/pr060510.html