Environmental protection refers to policies and practices that avoid, minimize or eliminate damage to the environment. It includes regulation of environmental media such as air, water and land as well as laws that govern occupational health and safety. In addition, it also encompasses measures that restore damaged environments. Environmental protection is a global concern; all nations address ecological issues, though they do so with different governmental structures.
Environmental laws function at three levels – federal, state and local – to create a comprehensive regulatory framework. Federal laws set the overall environmental standards, while state and local laws impose additional restrictions and requirements that reflect unique conditions in their jurisdictions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an executive branch agency of the United States government responsible for environmental protection. Its mission is to protect human health and the environment by reducing exposure to chemicals and other pollutants that can harm people, animals and plants. The EPA works to achieve its goals through programs, regulations and partnerships with other agencies and organizations.
Chemicals that are released into the environment can have adverse effects, both short- and long-term. This is why the EPA tracks the release of these substances into the environment through the Toxics Release Inventory. This information helps the EPA create regulations and policies that decrease the amount of these chemicals that are released into the air and water.
The EPA also has specific programs to protect the environment of children, including addressing lead exposure in homes. This is because kids drink and eat more for their weight than adults, which makes them more likely to be exposed to dangerous chemicals in their environment.