What is Cumulative Impact?

A narrow view of our pollution exposure is putting communities at risk.

Chemicals surround us, from our everyday products to the air we breathe. Some of these chemicals are hazardous to our health. Communities facing pollution encounter many toxic chemicals from multiple sources – from the products they use in their homes and workplaces to the nearby facilities and roads that pollute the air and water.

Our current environmental laws and policies only consider a single chemical from one source at a time. This narrow approach allows regulators to approve too many permits,leading to increased pollution.

We have the right to breathe clean air! We are calling on our legislators to enact new environmental policies that better protect our air, water, and health by considering the big picture– all the pollution, all at once, before allowing more pollution into our communities.

Total Health Impacts

Cumulative impact policy considers a community’s chemical and non-chemical stressors, environmental, social, and economic conditions alongside existing and potential health conditions.

Chemical stressors include pollutants in air, water, soil, food, & everyday products. Non-chemical stressors include unhealthy food, unaffordable healthcare, heat stress, & poverty.

Separately, these things are a problem; together, they are dangerous! Considering these factors together, we can get a clearer picture of the total impacts on public health and understand harmful effects of pollution.