As a mother of a young child, I find myself grappling with a multitude of concerns daily. From ensuring my toddler is interacting with others to fretting over her vegetable intake, my worry list seems endless. Now, with the current administration in power, I also have to consider whether our government is safeguarding my child from fundamental threats like air pollution, tainted water, and hazardous products.
The current leadership has strayed from its duty to protect the health of our children based on sound scientific evidence. With a plethora of examples, I highlight these issues in a recent report and illustrated storybook titled Breathe in the Smog, Drink Up the Lead: A Grim Scary Tale for People Who Care about Kids (don’t worry, it’s meant for adult readers!). Here are five significant ways the administration is complicating parenting while endangering children’s health:
1. Children’s Products Might Not Be Safe
When I prepared for my daughter’s arrival, I believed that the items on my registry were safe, assuming the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) would catch any defects. Unfortunately, that assumption was misguided. For instance, I used a hand-me-down infant sleeper, completely unaware of the safety hazards it posed. The CPSC has faltered in its responsibility, as evidenced by a significant drop in product recalls—down 60% from 2016 to 2018. This means my child’s safety during sleep, play, and meals is increasingly at risk.
2. Food Safety Is Compromised
When shopping for groceries, I wish my only concern was whether I remembered everything on my list. Instead, I now have to think about the safety of our food. The USDA has recently cut back on inspections in poultry and pork processing plants while increasing conveyor belt speeds, potentially compromising the quality and safety of the meat. This is alarming, especially considering that foodborne illnesses can be particularly dangerous for young children with developing immune systems.
3. Water Quality Is Under Threat
Water is essential for survival, which makes it alarming when the government fails to ensure it is safe. With children at home, clean water is crucial for breastmilk, formula, and nourishing fruits and vegetables. The situation in Flint, MI, and Newark, NJ, serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by lead in water. The Trump administration had an opportunity to enhance child protection with updates to the Lead and Copper Rule but chose to reduce the number of lead service lines that needed replacement. This negligence places children at risk of lead exposure, which can impair cognitive abilities and academic performance.
4. Air Quality Is Deteriorating
We all remember the moment we first held our children and watched them take their first breaths. Sadly, the air they breathe is becoming increasingly polluted due to emissions from various industries. Children exposed to polluted air face heightened risks of asthma, respiratory infections, and other serious health issues. Instead of strengthening air quality regulations, the current administration has rolled back protections, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands more asthma attacks and missed school days.
5. Leadership Values Are in Question
As my daughter learns to communicate, I often ponder how to explain the actions and rhetoric of the current administration. The presidency should embody respect and integrity, yet we see a leader who disregards truth and undermines the values we aim to instill in our children. How can we teach kindness and compassion when the nation’s leader exemplifies the opposite?
Ultimately, parents have a responsibility to keep their children safe, and that means demanding that our elected officials prioritize the health of our youth. By advocating for policies that align with our values, we can reduce our worries and create a safer environment for our children. If you’re looking for more insights on this topic, check out our post here.
In summary, the current administration poses several threats to children’s health through the neglect of safety regulations, food safety measures, and environmental protections. As parents, we must raise our voices to ensure our children are safeguarded against these risks.
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