Search Results for keywords:"public health"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving parts of a submission from Arkansas related to the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), ensuring the state meets clean air requirements. The EPA reviewed Arkansas's plans for maintaining air quality and found them adequate in personnel, funding, and legal authority, despite some public concerns about financial resources. The approval includes updates to state regulations and confirms Arkansas's plans are consistent with federal law. Although the COVID-19 pandemic was mentioned as a possible concern, the EPA decided it does not warrant disapproval of Arkansas's submission at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to update the list of chemicals required for toxic chemical release reporting under two acts: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). This update adds nine specific chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), based on a Congressional mandate from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. These PFAS must be reported in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) starting with the 2025 reporting year. The rule is effective from February 5, 2025, and aims to improve public and governmental understanding of PFAS releases for better environmental management.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Cyanide Chemicals Manufacturing source category. These changes stem from a review under the Clean Air Act to ensure the current standards are effective in protecting public health and addressing any emission risks. While the EPA found current emissions pose acceptable risks, they are proposing updated standards for process wastewater and emphasizing electronic reporting. The aim is to enhance monitoring, compliance, and data accuracy without expecting significant changes in emissions or economic impacts for the industry.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded approximately $5 million to the Ponce Health Sciences Foundation in Puerto Rico. This funding, expected to total $25 million over five years, will support research and surveillance on diseases spread by mosquitoes, like dengue virus. The Ponce Health Sciences Foundation is uniquely positioned to carry out this work due to its existing infrastructure and community trust. The project's goals include improving disease tracking, studying special populations like children and pregnant women, and enhancing collaboration with local stakeholders.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to the regulations for emissions standards from Refractory Products Manufacturing under the Clean Air Act. The proposed revisions include adding new emission standards for certain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and updating standards to address the startup, shutdown, and malfunction of equipment. The proposal also suggests amending electronic reporting requirements to improve the tracking of emissions data. These amendments aim to enhance environmental protection by ensuring that emissions standards are met at all times and by enabling better monitoring and compliance.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a final rule establishing new guidelines for nonprescription drugs that require an "Additional Condition for Nonprescription Use" (ACNU). This rule allows drugs that can't be safely used with labeling alone to be sold without a prescription if the manufacturer implements an approved ACNU to ensure proper use. It aims to expand consumer access to certain drugs that would otherwise need a prescription and outlines specific requirements for drug application, labeling, and reporting failures of the ACNU process. The rule will take effect on January 27, 2025, and is intended to improve public health by making more medications safely available as nonprescription options.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, will hold a virtual meeting of the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) on February 10-11, 2021. This meeting will discuss systematic reviews and topics such as Nutrition, Physical Activity, Obesity, and Health Equity/Social Determinants of Health. The public can attend the meeting by registering in advance, and there will be an opportunity for public comments during specific segments. The CPSTF, an independent panel, focuses on identifying programs that enhance public health by evaluating evidence and issuing recommendations, which are informative rather than mandatory.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended a temporary halt on residential evictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This extension lasts from January 31, 2021, through March 31, 2021, and aims to protect renters from eviction if they meet certain criteria, like having a drop in income or making partial rental payments. The order seeks to prevent evicted individuals from moving into crowded settings, which can heighten the risk of spreading the virus. It also highlights available federal resources, such as rental assistance programs, to support those financially impacted by the pandemic.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued an emergency order that mandates the wearing of face masks by railroad personnel to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as directed by the CDC. This order, effective March 1, 2021, applies to all freight rail operations and certain passenger rail operations under FRA’s jurisdiction, though not in areas already covered by the TSA’s mask requirements. The FRA’s decision follows inconsistent mask-wearing practices observed by inspectors and aims to protect railroad workers, inspectors, and public health. Non-compliance may result in penalties, and specific exemptions exist for certain situations and individuals.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) finalized a rule to modify the Vaccine Injury Table, which relates to the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This new rule removes Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) and vasovagal syncope from the list of injuries eligible for compensation under the VICP. Some members of the public opposed the change, expressing concerns about safety and potential impacts on liability for vaccine administrators. However, HHS argued that these injuries are often due to improper administration techniques rather than the content of the vaccines themselves, and stated that this change aims to ensure that funds are directed to injuries directly caused by vaccines.